Mitzi Gaynor, the beloved singer, dancer, and actress known for her iconic performances in musical films such as “South Pacific,” passed away at the age of 93 on Thursday due to natural causes in Los Angeles, as reported by her representatives.
Over her remarkable eight-decade career, Gaynor starred in numerous musicals during the 1950s, including titles like “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Anything Goes,” “Les Girls,” and the film adaptation of the celebrated Rodgers & Hammerstein production “South Pacific.” She won the coveted role of Nellie Forbush, a Navy nurse, beating out prominent actresses like Doris Day and Elizabeth Taylor. Her standout performance in this role not only made her an international star but also earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
Despite the decline of movie musicals by the 1960s, Gaynor transitioned smoothly to live performances. She made her nightclub debut at Las Vegas’ Flamingo Hotel in 1961, where she achieved record-breaking box office sales during her four-week residency.
Gaynor was also a familiar face on television, making guest appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” which famously featured The Beatles’ second U.S. TV performance, attracting 70 million viewers. She showcased her talents on several variety shows hosted by Frank Sinatra, Jack Benny, and Perry Como, among others.
In her TV specials, Gaynor hypnotized audiences with her singing and dancing while revealing her playful sense of humor. Notably, she won a New York Emmy for the documentary “Mitzi Gaynor: Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years.”
Even at the age of 88 in 2019, she continued to perform, adapting to a leg injury by sitting while singing, expressing her longing to dance again.
Born Francesca Mitzi Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber on September 4, 1931, in Chicago, Gaynor grew up in a musical family. She began her ballet training early, and by 11, her instructor predicted she would become a star in Hollywood.
Her career took off after she moved to Los Angeles, where “Frances Gerber” made her Broadway debut at 15 in “Gypsy Lady.” Signed by 20th Century Fox shortly after, she took on her first significant role in “My Blue Heaven” (1950) and followed it with various films that showcased her talents.
In 1954, Gaynor garnered acclaim for her performance in “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” but her contract with Fox ended soon after. She then signed with Paramount, featuring in the Bing Crosby musical “Anything Goes” and other films such as “Les Girls” and “South Pacific.”
Gaynor achieved notable success as a performer in Las Vegas, where she became the highest-paid female entertainer and was the first female recipient of the “Star Entertainer of the Year” award in 1970. She was also among the first clients of costume designer Bob Mackie.
Gaynor was inducted into The Great American Songbook Hall of Fame in 2017. In 2019, she shared reminiscences about her romance with Howard Hughes, noting his proposal among many others. Their relationship ended, but she received a unique parting gift—a suggestion to invest in Las Vegas real estate, which she eventually sold for a substantial profit.