Arthur Freed wanted Moira to play opposite Fred Astaire in Royal Wedding (1951) but Astaire was reluctant to dance with a ballerina. Gene Kelly asked for her for his Brigadoon (1954) picture. She turned down both film opportunities, much preferring the classical stage in those years. She went on to play "Titania" in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in her Broadway debut and the title role in "Major Barbara".
A joint portrait of Moira Shearer and Ludovic Kennedy, by the Israeli artist Avigdor Arikha, is now part of the permanent collection of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
Had 4 children, Ailsa Margaret Kennedy (born August 11, 1952), Rachel Katherine Kennedy (born November 16, 1956), Fiona Jane Kennedy (born December 20, 1961) and Alastair Charles Coverley Kennedy (born February 10, 1963), with her husband, Ludovic Kennedy.
Her father, a civil engineer, moved the family to Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), where she was pushed into dance lessons by her mother.
Later was a book reviewer for the "Daily Journal".
Member of the BBC General Advisory Council 1970-77.
Member of the Scottish Arts Council, 1971-73.
Moira and Ludovic have one son and three daughters.
Moira Shearer, at the time she was selected to star in _The Red Shoes (1948)_ was second only to the world renowned prima ballerina, Margot Fonteyn, at the famous Sadler's Wells Ballet.
Performed in Frederick Ashton's masterpiece "Symphonic Variations", her red hair providing vibrant contrast to blonde ballerina Pamela May and brunette Margot Fonteyn. In 1948, Shearer replaced an ailing Fonteyn in "Cinderella". Many prefer her version to that of Fonteyn's.
Red-headed ballet star who literally danced her way to film fame with only one picture. She has since made only a handful of others.
She married Ludovic Kennedy in February 1950 at the Chapel Royal in Hampton Court Palace, London.
She was a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet at Sadler's Wells in London.
Sister-in-law of Royce Ryton.
Toured the USA, lecturing on the history of ballet and Sergei Diaghilev between 1977 and 1982.
Was performing at Covent Garden until 1953, when a combination of ill-health, injury and her wish to make a name for herself as an actress made her decide to retire from the ballet stage at age 27.
When her first daughter was born, the "Sydney Morning Herald" prefaced the article with the heading "Pink Booties for Red Shoes".
When Ludovic Kennedy saw Moira Shearer in _The Red Shoes (1948)_, he said that he knew instantly that she was going to be the girl he would marry. He actively sought her out and married her two years later, in February 1950 in the Chapel Royal in London's Hampton Court Palace.