But after two commercial failures with Astaire, she turned her focus to dramatic and comedy films. In the 1930s, Rogers's nine films with Fred Astaire are credited with revolutionizing the genre and gave RKO Pictures some of its biggest successes: The Gay Divorcee (1934), Top Hat (1935) and Swing Time (1936). Rogers had her first successful film roles as a supporting actress in 42nd Street (1933) and Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933). This led to a contract with Paramount Pictures, which ended after five films. After that, she gained recognition as a Broadway actress for her stage debut in Girl Crazy. She won a 1925 Charleston dance contest which launched a successful vaudeville career.
She and her family moved to Fort Worth, Texas, when she was nine years old. Rogers was born in Independence, Missouri, and raised in Kansas City. Her career continued on stage, radio and television throughout much of the 20th century. She won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her starring role in Kitty Foyle (1940), and performed during the 1930s in RKO's musical films with Fred Astaire. Ginger Rogers (born Virginia Katherine McMath J– April 25, 1995) was an American actress, dancer, and singer during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
