Phyllis Potter was the first wife of Fred Astaire, one of the most celebrated dancers and actors in Hollywood history. Their marriage lasted for 21 years, until Phyllis Potter died of lung cancer in 1954. Her death left Fred Astaire heartbroken and changed his life forever. In this article, we will explore the life and death of Phyllis Potter, and how she influenced Fred Astaire’s career and personal life.
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Early Life and First Marriage of Phyllis Potter
Phyllis Potter was born as Phyllis Livingston Baker in 1908 in Boston, Massachusetts. She came from a wealthy family, as her father was a physician and her grandfather was a prominent lawyer. After her parents divorced when she was young, she moved to New York with her aunt and uncle.
In 1927, when she was 19 years old, she married Eliphalet Nott Potter III, a member of a prominent New York family. They had a son named Eliphalet IV, also known as Peter. However, their marriage did not last long, and they divorced in 1932.
Meeting and Marrying Fred Astaire
In the early 1930s, Phyllis Potter met Fred Astaire at a golf luncheon event. Fred Astaire was already a famous dancer and actor, who had starred in several Broadway shows and Hollywood films with his sister Adele Astaire. He was instantly attracted to Phyllis Potter, who was a beautiful and charming socialite. He pursued her for two years, despite the objections of his mother and sister, who thought she was too young and inexperienced for him.
Finally, in 1933, they got married in a private ceremony. They had two children together: Fred Jr., born in 1936, and Ava, born in 1942. Their marriage was happy and harmonious, as they shared a love for music, dancing, golfing, and horse racing. Phyllis Potter supported Fred Astaire’s career and encouraged him to partner with Ginger Rogers, who became his most famous co-star. She also helped him cope with the pressures of fame and the demands of the studio system.
Death of Phyllis Potter
In 1954, Phyllis Potter was diagnosed with lung cancer. She underwent surgery and radiation therapy, but her condition worsened rapidly. She died on September 13, 1954, at the age of 46.
Her death devastated Fred Astaire, who considered her his soulmate and best friend. He even tried to quit his film project Daddy Long Legs (1955), but was persuaded to finish it by his co-star Leslie Caron and his producer Darryl F. Zanuck. He later said that he felt like he had lost half of himself when Phyllis Potter died.
He never remarried until 1980, when he married Robyn Smith, a jockey who was 45 years younger than him. He died in 1987 from pneumonia.
Legacy of Phyllis Potter
Phyllis Potter is remembered as the first wife of Fred Astaire, who inspired him to create some of the most memorable dance routines in film history. She was also a loving mother to their children, who have continued to honor their father’s legacy. She was buried at Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Chatsworth, California, next to Fred Astaire.
Phyllis Potter’s life and death are also depicted in several biographies and documentaries about Fred Astaire, such as Steps in Time (1959), The Fred Astaire Story (1987), The Man Behind the Dance (1990), and The Fabulous Fred Astaire (2001).
According to Mythgyaan, Phyllis Potter’s death remains one of the most heartbreaking stories in classic Hollywood. She was a key figure in Fred Astaire’s life, who helped him achieve his artistic vision and happiness.
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