Ginger Rogers
Backwards in heels
Ginger Rogers (1911–1995) was an American actress and dancer, best known for her film partnership with Fred Astaire in 1930s musicals like *Top Hat* and *Swing Time*.
The phrase Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, backwards and in high heels has become a feminist touchstone, highlighting unrecognized effort and skill.
Refined, graceful quality
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- sophisticationCultured elegance and complexity
- chicTasteful, current flair
style · gown · feathers · sequins · costume · fashion · wardrobe · platinum blonde
Valve controlling liquid flow
- ballroomVenue for formal dances
- choreographyDesigning performance movement sequences
- foxtrotSmooth partner dance
- waltzDance in three-quarter time
swing · tango · rumba · samba · Swing Time · Shall We Dance · fancy footwork · partnering
Pictorial screen symbol
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- classicOf lasting excellence
timeless · influence · inspiration · quotable · autobiography · star power · retrospective · tribute
Principal female performer
- comedienneFemale humor performer
- dramaticStrikingly expressive or sudden
- OscarAcademy's golden award
- filmographyListed screen credits
role · performance · screwball comedy · romantic comedy · leading role · box office · screen presence · versatility
- duoTwo working together
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
- dance teamOrganized performance ensemble
- pairingJoining two together
partnership · synergy · complement · co-star · tandem · match · collaboration · duet
elegance
Refined, graceful quality
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- sophisticationCultured elegance and complexity
chic · style · gown · feathers · sequins · costume · fashion · wardrobe · platinum blonde · starlet
tap
Valve controlling liquid flow
- ballroomVenue for formal dances
- choreographyDesigning performance movement sequences
- foxtrotSmooth partner dance
waltz · swing · tango · rumba · samba · Swing Time · Shall We Dance · fancy footwork · partnering · lifts
icon
Pictorial screen symbol
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
classic · timeless · influence · inspiration · quotable · autobiography · star power · retrospective · tribute · classic cinema
leading lady
Principal female performer
- comedienneFemale humor performer
- dramaticStrikingly expressive or sudden
- OscarAcademy's golden award
filmography · role · performance · screwball comedy · romantic comedy · leading role · box office · screen presence · versatility · studio system
Fred Astaire
- duoTwo working together
- chemistryStudy of substances' interactions
- dance teamOrganized performance ensemble
pairing · partnership · synergy · complement · co-star · tandem · match · collaboration · duet
- Dancersdancer, ballet dancer, tap dancer, modern dancer, contemporary dancer
- Tap DancersFred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Gregory Hines, Sammy Davis Jr
- Hollywood StarsBrad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Angelina Jolie
- Stage NamesLady Gaga, Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant, John Wayne, Cher
- MissouriansHarry S. Truman, Mark Twain, Walt Disney, Harry Truman, Jesse James
- danceballet, breaking, folk dances, b-boying, folk dance
Ginger RogersFred Astaire
male lead · leading man · dance partner · Gene Kelly · Rudolf Nureyev
Ginger RogersJohn Wayne
James Cagney · Humphrey Bogart · Spencer Tracy · Edward G. Robinson · Boris Karloff
Ginger RogersMarlon Brando
Bette Davis · Katharine Hepburn · Laurence Olivier · Orson Welles · Montgomery Clift