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

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

That is the godawful thing about television today. Performers don't have any place to hit and miss. You're either in or you're out; you don't have a chance to become good at your craft. If you make three pictures in a row and they don't go over, you're out of the business.

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.

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

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

Dancing is so wonderful. Once they start the music, your whole day, if it's been rotten, seems to melt away. You get carried away in the tune that you're moving to. It's a marvelous catharsis, to be able to get on top and tap dance.