Mitzi Gaynor, a beloved star of the 1950s who was known for her bubbly personality, dazzling personality and triple-threat skills as an actress, singer and dancer, starred in the 1958 adaptation of Rogers’ and Hammerstein’s film as Ensign Nellie Forbush, earning her a Golden Globe nomination south pacific Died at the age of 93.
The star’s manager announced her death in an Instagram post, noting that she “passed away peacefully” on Thursday morning (October 17) of natural causes. “For eight years she has entertained audiences in film, television and on stage,” the announcement read. “She has truly enjoyed every moment of her career and the tremendous privilege of being an entertainer.”
Gaynor, formerly known as Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber, was born in Chicago on September 4, 1931. She was famous for her roles in a series of 1950s film scores. Known for starring roles in shows including the 1954 film There is no industry like showbiz1956 everything is possible and 1957 girls. The son of a violinist father and a dancer mother, Gaynor began his career at the age of 11 when his family moved from Detroit to Los Angeles, where he gained a spot as a singer/dancer. , a folk operetta.
At 17, she signed with 20th Century Fox and made her film debut in the 1950s my blue heavenin which she starred alongside Betty Grable. The following year, she had her first leading role in the musical Western golden boyin which she played a character based on early 20th century actress Lotta Crabtree.
She had her first big screen success in 1952 with the musical bloodhound on broadway Based on Damon Runyon’s story that kicked off nearly a decade of starring roles, showcasing her versatility and charming, sparkling personality, the film embodies innocence and sensuality. combine. She shared the stage with big-name stars of the day, including Ethel Merman, Johnny Ray, and Marilyn Monroe, and sang songs written by Irving Berlin. There is no industry like showbizand performances by Bing Crosby and Donald O’Connor in the 1956 adaptation of Cole Porter’s stage musical everything is possible. Other highlights include the 1957 clown is wildwith Frank Sinatra and Charles Vidor, and the year girlswhich also features music co-starring Porter and Gene Kelly.
Her winning streak ranks among the best in World War II romantic musicals south pacificShe was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for her performances in “I Want to Wash That Man Out of My Hair” and “Night of Magic.” Over the next few years, she appeared in a number of other films, including 1963’s For love or money Working with Kirk Douglas, Gig Young and Julie Newmar, he subsequently became a hit in a series of television specials.
“I quit movies because they gave up on me,” she told the Television Academy Foundation in 2012, explaining why she made the switch from the big screen to the small screen. “Marilyn Monroe is now the new Alice Faye/Betty Grable, and she’s making musicals at Fox. Which I didn’t want to do My Fair LadyI didn’t plan to [sing] “The mountains are filled with screams” – I have nothing to do.
She is best known for performing on an episode of The Beatles on February 16, 1964, between two shows. The Ed Sullivan Showperformed a 13-minute “Too Darn Hot” medley along with “The More I See You,” “Birth of the Blues” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.” The episode aired at the Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach a week after Sullivan’s legendary introduction to the Fab Four to American audiences, one of the most-watched television moments of all time.
Prior to working with Cher, Gaynor was glittering celebrity gown designer Bob Makie’s first A-list client, modeling his one-of-a-kind creations during her days as a headliner in 1960s Las Vegas.
That performance paved the way for Gaynor’s first television special Mizwhich aired on NBC in October 1968 and had a second installment on the network the following year, as well as six similar song-and-dance specials that aired on CBS from 1973 to 1978; her nine The special was nominated for a total of 16 Emmy Awards, but did not receive an Emmy nomination until 2008 for a PBS special Miz Gaynor: Dazzling Dazzling! special years.
Gaynor was a regular on the Academy Awards broadcast, wowing audiences with her “The Moon Is Blue” in 1954 and her signature version of “There’s No Business in Show Business” in 1959. album, the 1959 Miz and Mitzi Gaynor sings lyrics by Ira Gerswhin.
“We are extremely gratified that her creative legacy will live on through her many magical performances captured on film and video, through her recordings, and especially through audiences around the world throughout her life and career. Lives on for the love and support she so generously shared.
See the statement announcing Gaynor’s death below along with some of her career highlights.
