Remember, if you do the same act for 20, 30 years it gets a little boring unless you've got something else going for you... And the orchestra really kept you going. They'd laugh at all your jokes, even if they'd been hearing them for the last 30 years.

I can picture things, like a painter would, though Im not good at painting, either.

I was born and raised to entertain other people. I've heard laughter and applause and known a lot of sorrow. Everything about me is based on show business - I think it will bring me happiness. I hope so.

You see, as far as the man's personality goes, there's no one who can touch Fred Astaire. He's unique.

They put me in a harness, like a horse, to learn the back somersault. It was weird up there when I put on that harness for the first time. The courage came with practice.

It's so wonderful... if your whole day is rotten, once they start the music, it seems to melt away.

I'd like to thank the Academy for my lifetime achievement award that I will eventually get.