Mitzi Gaynor, a notable figure in Hollywood musicals during their golden era, has died at the age of 93, confirmed by her long-time managers, Rene Reyes and Shane Rosamonda. Gaynor’s death was due to natural causes, and she passed away in Los Angeles on the morning of October 17.
Chicago-born Gaynor, whose birth name was Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber, started her entertainment career at a very young age. She hailed from a family with a strong musical background, and her career in the entertainment industry spanned an impressive eight decades, covering performances on film, television, and stage.
In 1958, Gaynor achieved a career-defining role as Ensign Nellie Forbush in the film adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific.” Her performance as the love-struck nurse garnered her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. Moreover, the film itself won an Academy Award for best sound, in addition to receiving three nominations.
The role of Nellie Forbush in “South Pacific” was a turning point in Gaynor’s career, and she attributed this to Frank Sinatra. Sinatra adjusted the filming schedule for “The Joker Is Wild,” in which they both starred, to allow Gaynor to audition for lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II.
During the 1950s, Gaynor starred in several musicals, including “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Les Girls,” and “Anything Goes.” Her dynamic personality and skills as an actress, singer, and dancer made her a prominent figure in her generation’s entertainment industry.
As the 1960s saw a decline in the popularity of movie musicals, Gaynor successfully moved to television and live shows. She became a regular on variety shows and from 1967 to 1978, hosted her own series of television specials, earning 16 Emmy nominations.
With the help of her husband-manager, Jack Bean, Gaynor also ventured into stage performances. She was a headliner in Las Vegas, earning the distinction of the city’s highest-paid female performer. She also took her musical revue on tour across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
In 1970, Gaynor made history by becoming the first woman to receive the Las Vegas governor’s trophy for “Star Entertainer of the Year.”
Off the stage, Gaynor shared a long and committed marriage with Jack Bean, a talent agent and public relations executive. The couple got married in 1954 and remained together until Bean’s death in 2006. They lived in a large house in Beverly Hills and did not have children.
Even in her later years, Gaynor continued to engage audiences. From 2008 to 2011, she toured with her show “Mitzi … Razzle Dazzle! My Life Behind the Sequins,” a retrospective of her illustrious life and career.
Over the course of her career, Gaynor received various honors. In 2017, she was inducted into the Great American Songbook Hall of Fame, affirming her status as an entertainment industry legend.
Gaynor’s long-time managers, Reyes and Rosamonda, expressed their appreciation in a statement: “As we celebrate her legacy, we offer our thanks to her friends and fans and the countless audiences she entertained throughout her long life. Your love, support and appreciation meant so very much to her and was a sustaining gift in her life.”
The death of Mitzi Gaynor marks a significant point in the history of Hollywood. Her vibrant performances and long-lasting career stand as a testament to her talent and the enduring influence of the golden age of musicals.
