Astaire, Adele, professional name of Adele Austerlitz 1898-1981
US dancer, actress and singer

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, she was the older sister of Fred Astaire. Her career began in her teens, partnering her brother in a song-and-dance act that reached Broadway in 1917. Their post-war show For Goodness Sake (1922, known in the UK as Stop Flirting) was a big success, and they went on to further success in 1924 in Gershwin shows, including Lady, Be Good and Funny Face - both now inextricably associated with Fred's name. Adele's contribution to Fred Astaire's success was arguably greater than that of any of his other partners, including Ginger Rogers, but her activities decreased following her marriage to Lord Charles Cavendish (1932). Smiles (1930) was one of her last big successes.