When you mention the name Fred Astaire, the world immediately envisions a man in top hat and tails, gliding effortlessly across a black-and-white screen. He is the ultimate symbol of Hollywood grace, a perfectionist who revolutionized dance on film. However, behind the dazzle of the spotlight and the rhythm of the tap shoes, there was a private family man who fiercely protected his children from the glare of fame. Fred Astaire Jr. is the only son of this entertainment icon, yet he remains a mystery to most fans. Unlike the children of many other Golden Age stars, he did not chase the limelight or trade on his famous surname for tabloid attention. Instead, Fred Astaire Jr. chose a path of quiet independence, building a life defined by his own passions rather than his father’s legacy.
Quick Bio of Fred Astaire Jr.
| Feature | Detail |
| Full Name | Frederick Austerlitz Jr. |
| Date of Birth | January 1, 1936 |
| Age | 89 (approx. as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Father | Fred Astaire |
| Mother | Phyllis Livingston Potter |
| Sibling | Ava Astaire-McKenzie |
| Spouse | Carol (Second Wife) |
| Ex-Wife | Gale Trumbo |
| Profession | Commercial Pilot, Rancher |
| Known For | Being Fred Astaire’s son |
| Nationality | American |
| Net Worth | Estimated in millions (Inherited) |
Fred Astaire Jr. Biography: The Early Years
Fred Astaire Jr. was born on January 1, 1936, a New Year’s baby who arrived just as his father’s career was reaching stratospheric heights. He was the first child of Fred Astaire and his beloved wife, Phyllis Livingston Potter. Born Frederick Austerlitz (his father’s birth name), the boy was thrust into a world of immense privilege but also significant pressure. His father was arguably the most famous man in America at the time, dazzling audiences in classics like Top Hat and Swing Time. Yet, despite the glitz of Hollywood, Fred Astaire Jr. experienced a childhood that his father tried desperately to keep normal. The elder Astaire was known to be a humble, somewhat shy man off-screen, and he wanted his son to have a childhood free from the cameras that followed his every move.
The family life of Fred Astaire Jr. was idyllic in many ways, centered around their home in Beverly Hills. He was not an only child for long; his sister, Ava Astaire, was born in 1942. Together with an older half-brother, Peter Potter Jr. (from his mother’s previous marriage), the three children formed a tight-knit unit. Fred Astaire Jr. was known to be close to his father, often visiting him on set but rarely participating in the “business.” While the world saw a dancing god, Fred Jr. simply saw a dad who worried about grades, etiquette, and the well-being of his family. This grounding would prove essential, as tragedy was waiting just around the corner for the young Astaire family.
Tragedy Strikes the Astaire Family
The defining moment of Fred Astaire Jr.‘s young life occurred in 1954. His mother, Phyllis Livingston Potter, who had been the love of Fred Astaire‘s life and the rock of the family, passed away from lung cancer. Fred Astaire Jr. was only 18 years old at the time, a young man on the cusp of adulthood facing a devastating loss. The death shattered his father, who reportedly offered to pay the doctors every cent he had if they could save her. When she died, the elder Astaire was inconsolable, and it was his children, particularly Fred Astaire Jr. and Ava Astaire, who helped him pull through the darkness.
This shared trauma created an unbreakable bond between Fred Astaire Jr. and his father. The widower threw himself into his work to cope with the grief, but he also doubled down on his devotion to his children. For Fred Astaire Jr., this period marked a transition from a protected child to a supportive son. He witnessed firsthand the human side of the legend—the grief, the vulnerability, and the resilience. It is likely that this experience contributed to his desire for a private life, seeing how deeply personal pain could be when the public is watching.
Did Fred Astaire Jr. Follow in His Father’s Footsteps?
A common question among fans is what did Fred Astaire Jr. do for a living? Given his pedigree, many expected him to don tap shoes or at least pursue a serious acting career. In 1969, Fred Astaire Jr. did make a brief foray into the world of cinema. He appeared alongside his father in the film Midas Run. In this movie, Fred Astaire played a British secret service agent, and his son had a small role credited as “Co-Pilot.” It was a touching moment of father-son collaboration, preserved forever on celluloid.
However, Midas Run did not launch a major acting career for Fred Astaire Jr. unlike his sister Ava Astaire-McKenzie, who remained more connected to the arts and her father’s archival legacy, Fred Jr. realized that the Hollywood lifestyle was not for him. The pressure to live up to the “Astaire” name in the performing arts would have been insurmountable. How does one follow the man whom George Balanchine and Rudolf Nureyev called the greatest dancer of all time? smartly, Fred Astaire Jr. decided not to try. He stepped away from the cameras, leaving the entertainment industry to pursue his own interests.
A Life in the Skies: The Pilot and Rancher
Instead of sound stages, Fred Astaire Jr. found his calling in the open skies. He became a commercial pilot, a career that required precision, technical skill, and focus—traits he may have inherited from his perfectionist father, albeit applied in a completely different field. Aviation allowed Fred Astaire Jr. to be judged on his own merits, not his last name. In the cockpit, nobody cared if he could do a time step; they only cared if he could fly the plane safely. This career provided him with the anonymity and professional satisfaction that Hollywood could never offer.
In addition to flying, Fred Astaire Jr. developed a passion for ranching. He spent much of his adult life managing a ranch, embracing the rugged, outdoor lifestyle that was the antithesis of the tuxedo-clad image of his father. This choice further solidifies the image of Fred Astaire Jr. as a man who sought authenticity over fame. While his father was gliding across marble floors in movies, Fred Jr. was likely working the land, content in a world where his hands got dirty and his privacy was respected.
Is Fred Astaire Jr. Still Alive?
As we move through the 2020s, many fans find themselves searching for Fred Astaire Jr. today or asking, “is Fred Astaire Jr. still alive?” The confusion is understandable given his extreme privacy. As of 2024 and early 2025, there have been no credible reports of Fred Astaire Jr. death. Unlike celebrities whose passing is broadcast instantly across the globe, Fred Jr. has lived so quietly that his status is often a subject of speculation.
If he is indeed still with us, Fred Astaire Jr. would be approaching his 90s, as his Fred Astaire Jr. date of birth is January 1, 1936. Search queries like “Fred Astaire Jr. 2019” or “Fred Astaire Jr. 2022” often spike when fans see old movies and wonder about the star’s progeny, or perhaps confuse him with other passing figures. However, without an official obituary, it is safe to assume that Fred Astaire Jr. is living out his retirement years in peace, far removed from the public eye.
Personal Life: Wives and Independence
The personal life of Fred Astaire Jr. has been colorful and determinedly independent. As a young man, he showed a rebellious streak similar to many celebrity children. In 1956, at the tender age of 20, he eloped with Gale Trumbo. This marriage was a bold step for the young Fred Astaire Jr., asserting his adulthood. However, the union did not last, and the couple eventually divorced.
He later found stability and long-term love with his second wife, Carol, who was an artist. This relationship seemed to suit Fred Astaire Jr. much better, aligning with his life away from the spotlight. Carol, a painter and photographer, shared his appreciation for a creative but private life. While information about Fred Astaire Jr. children is kept strictly private, it is known that he built a family life that he guarded ferociously, ensuring his own offspring would not face the same public scrutiny he did.
The Controversy of Robyn Smith
No story about the Astaire family is complete without mentioning the controversial later years of Fred Astaire’s life, which surely impacted Fred Astaire Jr. In 1980, the elder Astaire shocked the world (and his children) by marrying Robyn Smith, a female jockey who was 45 years his junior. Fred Astaire Jr. and his sister Ava Astaire reportedly had a complicated relationship with their stepmother. The marriage changed the dynamic of the family, as Robyn Smith became the gatekeeper to their father.
After Fred Astaire death in 1987, Robyn Smith took strict control of the Astaire estate and image. She became infamous in Hollywood for refusing to license clips of Fred Astaire for tributes, documentaries, and even the Kennedy Center Honors. For Fred Astaire Jr., watching his father’s legacy be locked away or worse, used in the widely criticized Dirt Devil commercial where Fred Astaire was digitally edited to dance with a vacuum cleaner must have been difficult. While his sister Ava spoke out against some of these decisions, Fred Astaire Jr. remained largely silent publicly, maintaining his policy of non-engagement.
Fred Astaire Jr. Net Worth and Inheritance
When the screen legend passed away, he left behind a fortune estimated at $10 million. In today’s money, that would be worth significantly more. Fred Astaire Jr. was a beneficiary of this estate, alongside his sister and stepmother. This inheritance, combined with his earnings as a pilot and rancher, suggests that Fred Astaire Jr. net worth is substantial.
However, the liquidity and access to that wealth were likely complicated by the iron-clad control of Robyn Smith over the intellectual property rights. The Astaire image is one of the most valuable in Hollywood history. While Fred Astaire Jr. likely never needed to work for money after 1987, his lifestyle suggests he was never interested in lavish displays of wealth. He lived comfortably, but not ostentatiously, fitting the profile of a man who values substance over style.
The Sibling Bond: Fred Jr. and Ava
Throughout the ups and downs of their unique lives, Fred Astaire Jr. and Ava Astaire-McKenzie remained the keepers of the true Astaire history. While Ava Astaire became the public ambassador often appearing in documentaries to share warm anecdotes about their father Fred Astaire Jr. was the silent pillar of support. Their bond was forged in the halls of their Beverly Hills home and cemented by the early loss of their mother.
Search terms like “Ava Astaire Fred Astaire Jr.” often lead to photos of the two of them in their youth, looking every bit the polished Hollywood heirs. But in their later years, their roles diverged. Ava fought the public battles to preserve their father’s artistic integrity against commercialization, while Fred Astaire Jr. likely provided the private emotional support she needed. They respected each other’s chosen paths: hers as the guardian of the legacy, and his as the man who walked away from it.
Grandparents and Heritage
To understand Fred Astaire Jr., one must look even further back to his roots. His grandparents were Fritz Austerlitz and Ann Austerlitz, immigrants who came to America with dreams of a better life. Fritz was a brewer from Austria, and Ann was the driving force who recognized the talent in her children, Fred and Adele Astaire. The work ethic that Ann instilled in her son was passed down to Fred Astaire Jr.
Though he didn’t dance, Fred Astaire Jr. inherited the Austerlitz resilience. His grandfather Fritz had hoped for a quiet life before his children became stars; in a way, Fred Astaire Jr. achieved the life his grandfather originally envisioned for the family prosperous, American, and private. The name change from Austerlitz to Astaire was meant to sound more elegant for the stage, but Fred Jr. wore the name with a different kind of dignity, one grounded in reality rather than fantasy.
Physical Resemblance and Traits
Those who have seen photos of Fred Astaire Jr. note a striking physical resemblance to his father. He inherited the same slender frame, the slightly angular face, and the modest demeanor. However, Fred Astaire Jr. was often described as more rugged, a result of his outdoor lifestyle as a rancher. While his father was always seen in suits and ties, Fred Jr. was more comfortable in denim and pilot gear.
Despite these differences in style, the core personality traits were there. Both men were known for being gentlemen—polite, reserved, and deeply committed to their families. Fred Astaire Jr. mirrored his father’s distaste for the superficiality of Hollywood. Fred Sr. famously hated watching himself on screen; Fred Jr. took it a step further by removing himself from the screen entirely.
Why We Rarely See Him
It is rare to find a recent interview or photo of Fred Astaire Jr. This is by design. In an era where the children of stars often land reality shows or tell-all book deals, Fred Astaire Jr. is a refreshing anomaly. He has never sold his story. He has never written a memoir titled “Life with Fred.” He has never cashed in on the “Astaire” brand for personal fame.
This silence is perhaps the greatest tribute he could pay to his father. Fred Astaire was a man of class who believed that one’s work should speak for itself and one’s private life should remain private. By living a life of anonymity, Fred Astaire Jr. honored his father’s values more than any public tribute ever could. He proved that being an Astaire wasn’t about being famous; it was about having integrity.
The Astaire Legacy in 2025
As we look at the legacy of the Astaire family today, Fred Astaire Jr. remains a ghostly but important figure. He is the living link to the Golden Age of Hollywood, a man who sat at the breakfast table with the guy who danced with Ginger Rogers. With the passing of time, the number of people who knew Fred Astaire personally is dwindling. Fred Astaire Jr. holds memories that are exclusively his memories of a father, not a movie star.
Whether he is currently residing on a ranch in the American West or enjoying a quiet retirement elsewhere, Fred Astaire Jr. has successfully navigated the treacherous waters of celebrity offspring. He avoided the scandals, the addiction issues, and the public meltdowns that plagued so many of his peers. He survived the death of his mother, the intense fame of his father, and the legal battles of his stepmother, emerging as his own man.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Fred Astaire Jr. and what does he do?
He is the only son of the famous dancer Fred Astaire. Instead of becoming a professional dancer, he chose to work as a commercial pilot and a rancher.
2. Is Fred Astaire Jr. still alive?
Yes, as of 2024, there are no credible reports of his death. He lives a very private life away from the public eye.
3. Did Fred Astaire Jr. ever act in movies?
He made one brief appearance in the 1969 film Midas Run, where he played a co-pilot alongside his father, but he did not pursue an acting career.
4. Who was Fred Astaire Jr.’s mother?
His mother was Phyllis Livingston Potter, Fred Astaire’s first wife. She sadly passed away from lung cancer when Fred Jr. was just 18 years old.
5. Does Fred Astaire Jr. have any children?
Yes, he has a family and children, but he keeps their names and lives strictly out of the media to protect their privacy.
Conclusion
So, who is Fred Astaire Jr.? He is more than just a footnote in Hollywood history. He is a pilot who conquered the skies, a rancher who tamed the land, and a devoted son who honored his father by protecting the one thing Fred Astaire valued most: privacy. While the world will always remember the father for his top hat and tails, the son deserves to be remembered for his quiet strength and his refusal to be defined by a legacy he didn’t choose. Fred Astaire Jr. may not have danced on the ceiling, but he found his own way to fly.
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