---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Fred Astaire. Not a handsome man. He said…"
description: "\"“Fred Astaire. Not a handsome man. He said himself he couldn’t sing. He was balding his whole life. He danced like a cheetah runs, with the grace of th..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8c/sebastian-barry-3654_blind_fred-astaire-not-a-handsome-man-he-said_1396265.jpg"
---

#  Fred Astaire. Not a handsome man. He said himself he…

![“Fred Astaire. Not a handsome man. He said himself he couldn’t sing. He was balding his whole life. He danced like a cheetah runs, with the grace of the first creation. I mean, that first week. On one of those days God created Fred Astaire. Saturday maybe, since that was the day for the pictures…” quote by Sebastian Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8c/sebastian-barry-3654_blind_fred-astaire-not-a-handsome-man-he-said_1396265.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8c/sebastian-barry-3654_blind_fred-astaire-not-a-handsome-man-he-said_1396265.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8c/sebastian-barry-3654_blind_fred-astaire-not-a-handsome-man-he-said_1396265.jpg)

> ““Fred Astaire. Not a handsome man. He said himself he couldn’t sing. He was balding his whole life. He danced like a cheetah runs, with the grace of the first creation. I mean, that first week. On one of those days God created Fred Astaire. Saturday maybe, since that was the day for the pictures. When you saw Fred you felt better about everything. He was a cure. He was bottled in the films and all around the earth, from Castlebar to Cairo, he healed the halt and the blind. That’s the gospel truth. St Fred. Fred the Redeemer.””

[Sebastian Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-barry/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote celebrates Fred Astaire’s extraordinary talent and uplifting impact, likening his performances to a divine cure that heals and inspires audiences worldwide.

**In simple terms:** Fred Astaire’s talent feels like a healing, uplifting force.

Key Takeaway

Appreciate and share art that uplifts.

Themes

art celebration inspiration healing culture

Mood

joyful reverent hopeful

Type

celebratory inspirational cultural

When to use this quote

- watching classic films
- studying dance
- seeking inspiration
- sharing joy

Key Concepts

performance charisma legacy spiritual metaphor

Questions to Reflect On

- How does art heal you personally?
- Can a single performer change your mood?

A Different Perspective

Some may view the hyperbole as exaggerated; not everyone feels the same impact.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Blind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blind/) [Cheetahs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cheetahs/) [Creation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creation/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [God Created](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-created/) [Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace/) [Handsome men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/handsome-men/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [One of those days](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/one-of-those-days/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Saturday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saturday/) [Week](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/week/)

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