Astaire began his career in vaudeville with his sister Adele in an act called: Juvenile Artists Presenting an Electric Musical Toe-Dancing Novelty, with Fred wearing a top hat and tails in the first half and a lobster outfit in the second. The act debuted in Keyport, New Jersey and was heralded by the local paper as: "the greatest child act in vaudeville." They played the Orpheum Circuit until Adele grew to three inches taller than Fred and broke back into show business on Broadway in 1917 in the patriotic revue, Over The Top. The act split up in 1932 with Adele's marriage to Lord Charles Cavendish, a son of the Duke of Devonshire.

Fred Astaire debuted on film with Joan Crawford in 1933's Dancing Lady as himself. He received fifth billing with Ginger Rogers in his next film, Flying Down to Rio, the beginning of his partnership with Rogers.

Astaire is credited with two innovations in early film musicals:

1. The camera film a dance routine in a single shot while keeping the dancers in full view at all times
2. Song and dance routines be seamlessly integrated into the story line of the film