Nightline (June 22, 1987) - A Tribute to Fred Astaire

This Nightline tribute to Fred Astaire was broadcast on the evening of his death (June 22, 1987).
Ted Koppel welcomes Ginger Rogers and Liza Minnelli, via satellite.

[@barbaraleary8300]

It had to be hard for Ginger and Liza to come on TV on the night that Fred died. They both said the things that people thought about Fred Astaire. He was always charming, graceful and classy. He will always be remembered and no one can take his place.

[@IrishEyes1989]

"His talent is one that's going to live forever and I think the centuries that come on, the youngsters will...look to him for class, style, and charm, 'cause he epitomizes it."

[@geraldmoran6387]

Yep...So could I...(watch him dance...no one could touch his mastery...style...and tremendous takent)

[@carolynmorris7303]

He made it look effortless, and like he enjoyed it. The sign of true talent.

[@carolynmorris7303]

He makes it look easy. He was a true professional.

[@rosaleepruett3433]

I could watch him dance all day

[@imsocuteimsorich4952]

Rest in peace Fred ,thanks for your entertainment of dance,🌈🌸🐦💖😘🎩🎩🎩🎩😘

[@StevenTorrey]

It was a magi time when the stars aligned with composers, actors, studios to produce excellence: George & Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin. When music was intended to communicate to another person, to move the story along. Performers who honed their craft on the live vaudeville stage. It was a magical time never to be repeated.

[@alicegarcia7903]

Both Ginger and Liza were great!

[@scottnance2203]

Fred was one in a million and no one will ever be able to do what he did. I love all his movies and I also own them

[@Revix-ok5zb]

Greatest dancer of all time.🎩💖

[@WillScarlet1991]

And just 4 weeks earlier, the gorgeous Rita Hayworth also died 😢

[@partycentralsales]

Thank you for uploading this. I remember watching it the night it was originally broadcast.

[@SR-iy4gg]

It's really nice how long this segment is. Today, it might be a couple minutes at most and then on to something else.

[@mrlij6534]

MJ was a huuge fan of Fred Astaire, and Astaire liked Mike a lot. i just realized that number he was doing in the white suit is one of Mike's inspirations for smooth criminal.

[@lenhummel5766]

Thank you for this wonderful tribute to the magical amazing life of Fred genius-perfectionist Astaire. A TALENT & PERFORMER NEVER TO BE DUPLICATED.💛💎💛🏅

[@carolynmorris7303]

I don't know if Fred Astaire made a lot of money like they do today, but you can see that he had a love for what he did.

[@pauljung3534]

"Fred Astaire.. an unparalleled lifelong romance, with dance!!"

[@rosaleepruett3433]

I could watch him dress all day!!!

[@sonofaredshirt8329]

This was wonderful, took me twice as long to watch it because I kept replaying all the dance numbers LOL! Thanks for posting. Cheers.