Adele Astaire

Happy Birthday, Adele Astaire...September 10, 1896-January 25, 1981...When Astaire's mother was told by a teacher that her children might have a chance in show business, the stagestruck Ann Austerlitz packed up her family and moved them from Omaha, Nebraska to New York. By the time she was 8, Astaire and her younger brother Fred, had an established career on the vaudeville circuit. From all accounts, Adele Astaire out-shined her brother in both stage presence and dance skills. Initially, Fred was just a foil for her talents.

 From vaudeville they made the leap to Broadway in 1917 in "Over the Top" becoming popular performers overnight. Fred did most of the choreography for their dances but it was Adele's easy charm and mobile face that entranced the audiences. In 1923 the Astaire's began a long engagement on the London stage, becoming even bigger stars than they were in the States.

The Astaires returned to New York to star in George and Ira Gershwin's first Broadway play, "Lady Be Good" followed by "Funny Face." The plays were a big success in New York and in London. The British were especially fond of Adele whose high- spirited, prankster nature was a contrast to her more reserved brother. Never-the-less, the siblings were very close.

Both of the Astaires were celebrated in high society in New York and in London and at one point, Adele caught the eye of Lord Charles Francis Cavendish, the second son of the 9th Duke of Devonshire. After a successful run on Broadway in the "Band Wagon" in 1931, Adele retired from show business and married Lord Cavendish, moving to Ireland to live at Lismore castle. She had three children but all died shortly after childbirth. Lord Cavendish was an acute alcoholic and died at the age of 38 in 1944.

Fred continued his career and was making a splash in Hollywood. Although Adele made a visit to California to test the waters, she was intimidated by her brother's success and withdrew from show business permanently. From what has been written by critics and others who had the pleasure to see her perform, she was an exceptional talent. Sadly, there is no footage of any of her performances, only a few recorded duets with her brother, George Vollaire and Bernard Clifton. She died in Scottsdale, Arizona after a stroke at the age of 84.