Actress Mitzi Gaynor Has Passed Away At 93
From 1967 to 1978, Mitzi starred in eight big TV specials. These shows were full of singing and dancing.
Mitzi Gaynor, beloved actress known for her roles in classic movie musicals like South Pacific, has died at the age of 93, her management team announced.
Mitzi Gaynor, the famous actress and singer, has passed away at the age of 93. Her management team shared this news on October 17. Mitzi was best known for starring in big musicals during the 1950s. Her most famous movie role was in South Pacific, which came out in 1958.
[20th Century-Fox/Getty Mitzi Gaynor and Rossano Brazzi on the set of 'South Pacific' image: Collected]
A Bright Beginning
Mitzi was born in Chicago in 1931. Her full name was Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber, but she later changed it to Mitzi Gaynor. She came from a very artistic family—her dad was a musician, and her mom was a dancer. Mitzi started dancing when she was little, hoping to follow in her mom's footsteps. She loved music, theater, and art from a young age.
When Mitzi was just 11, her dance teacher told her family that she would one day be a star in Hollywood. Her family believed in her dream and moved to Los Angeles to give her a chance. At 17, Mitzi’s dancing was noticed by 20th Century Fox, and they signed her to a seven-year contract. They thought her last name, Gerber, wasn’t catchy enough for a movie star, so they changed it to Gaynor.
Her first movie role was in My Blue Heaven in 1950. She quickly got noticed and landed more roles in musicals. In 1954, she starred in There’s No Business Like Show Business with Marilyn Monroe and Ethel Merman. Mitzi became lifelong friends with Merman during this time.
[Martin Mills/Getty Mitzi Gaynor in her 1968 TV special 'Mitzi', image: Collected]
In the same year, Mitzi married Jack Bean, who later became her manager. She often told stories of how they met and how much she loved him. They stayed married until Jack passed away in 2006.
The Role That Made Her Famous
Mitzi Gaynor's biggest role came in 1958 when she starred in the movie South Pacific. This was a famous musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein.
Mitzi played the lead role of Nellie Forbush and performed famous songs like “I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy” and “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair.” Many other actresses wanted this role, including Elizabeth Taylor and Doris Day, but Mitzi auditioned for it and won.
South Pacific was the top-grossing movie of the year, and Mitzi was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her performance. This role made her a huge star.
After South Pacific, Mitzi continued acting in movies, but in 1963, she made her last film, For Love or Money, with Kirk Douglas. She decided to focus more on television after that.
A Star on TV
From 1967 to 1978, Mitzi starred in eight big TV specials. These shows were full of singing and dancing. Mitzi always performed in high heels, saying it made her legs look better. Her TV specials won six Emmy Awards and were nominated 17 times. There was even a documentary made about her called Mitzi Gaynor: Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years.
She said that working on those TV specials brought her so much happiness, especially because her husband Jack produced them. Mitzi also made many guest appearances on popular variety shows, like The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show.
One of her most memorable moments was being on The Ed Sullivan Show during the Beatles’ second appearance in 1964. She even gave Paul McCartney her autograph, and she remembered how kind and sweet the band was.
A Life of Performances
Mitzi Gaynor was not only a movie and TV star, but she also performed live in concert for more than 50 years. She got her start in Las Vegas in 1961, and her shows were known for their amazing costumes, designed by Bob Mackie, who would later become a famous designer. Mitzi once said that performing on stage was where she felt the happiest.
She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960, and her career spanned decades. Even in her later years, she remembered how much she loved performing for people and how blessed she felt to have had such a long and wonderful career.
Mitzi Gaynor will always be remembered for her talent, beauty, and incredible performances. Though she is gone, her legacy will live on through her movies, TV shows, and unforgettable presence on stage.