He continued to appear in movies as well as television shows throughout the 60's and 70's.  For his performance in 1974's The Towering Inferno he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.  He was also reunited with Gene Kelly in That's Entertainment, Part 2  where he did his last on-screen dancing, at the age of 77. (Although he was quoted as saying, "That wasn't dancing, that was just moving around.")

In 1978 Fred was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, and in 1981 he received the American Film Institute's prestigious Life Achievement Award.

Fred met and fell in love with Robyn Smith, a young woman who shared his devotion to race horses (she was a jockey). Despite the 45-year age difference the two decided to marry in 1980.  It was a very happy union, lasting the rest of his life.

He died on June 22, 1987, from complications arising from pneumonia.

Fred Astaire brought to the screen a completely unique persona.  His style, his innate grace, his singing voice, and of course, the dancing, are all inimitable.  The charm, the elegance, the true class of the man still shine today.