Barrie Chase danced beside Fred Astaire — hand-picked by the legend himself for his groundbreaking television specials.

She stole scenes in White Christmas with a single line and redefined cool in cult classics like It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

So why isn’t Barrie Chase a household name?

In this episode of The Rest of the Story on the Hey, Dancer! podcast, we uncover the remarkable journey of a child ballet prodigy — trained by Ballets Russes and Kirov greats. She was set to join Balanchine’s company… until a family crisis changed everything.

From chorus lines in MGM musicals to blacklisting threats from Central Casting, assisting Jack Cole, and headlining in Las Vegas — Chase’s career was a masterclass in talent, precision, and resilience.

We’ll also explore her most iconic moment: An Evening with Fred Astaire, a groundbreaking special that won multiple Emmys.

And finally — why she disappeared from Hollywood at the top of her game.

Join us as we trace the path of a dancer who didn’t just share the stage with a legend — she matched him, step for step.

And for a moment, she was one of the most famous dancers in the world.

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