Mitzi Gaynor, the vibrant actress and dancer best known for her starring role as Nellie Forbush in the 1958 film *South Pacific*, passed away at the age of 93. Gaynor’s career, spanning over eight decades, placed her among the last icons of Hollywood’s golden age of musicals. Her charismatic performances across film, television, and stage earned her a unique place in entertainment history, with notable roles alongside legends like Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Gene Kelly. While *South Pacific* cemented her as a beloved star, Gaynor also appeared in popular films such as *We’re Not Married!* and *There’s No Business Like Show Business*.
Her role in *South Pacific*, the celebrated Rodgers and Hammerstein musical set during World War II, marked a pinnacle in her career. The film earned three Academy Award nominations and won for best sound, while Gaynor received a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of the lovestruck nurse Nellie. The role was highly coveted in Hollywood, and it was Frank Sinatra who gave Gaynor a crucial boost. While filming *The Joker Is Wild* with Sinatra, Gaynor needed a day to audition for lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II. Understanding the significance of the opportunity, Sinatra rearranged their schedule to allow her the chance. With Hammerstein’s endorsement, along with director Josh Logan’s and composer Richard Rodgers’, Gaynor was cast and went on to famously sing “I’m In Love With A Wonderful Guy.”
Despite the success of *South Pacific*, Gaynor’s career didn’t soar as she had hoped. Shifting her focus from film to television, she made memorable appearances on shows like *The Jack Benny Hour* and *The Frank Sinatra Timex Show*, where she was the only female guest among Sinatra, Crosby, Dean Martin, and Jimmy Durante. Later, she reinvented herself in live performances, creating a musical revue in collaboration with her husband, Jack Bean. Her show became a major hit, attracting audiences across the United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia, and establishing her as a top Las Vegas entertainer with residencies at venues like the Flamingo and Riviera hotels.
As her production expanded, touring with an orchestra and dance troupe became costly and logistically challenging. Adapting to these demands, Gaynor transformed her act into a more intimate, one-woman show that she continued to perform until 2002, when her husband’s health led her to pause. Gaynor’s resilience and adaptability kept her in the public eye for years, showcasing her ability to captivate audiences in a variety of formats.
Born as Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber on September 4, 1931, in Chicago, Gaynor grew up in a musically inclined family and showed talent from a young age. She began dancing and singing as a child, training in ballet and tap. Known for her humor, Gaynor recalled an early performance mishap that brought her laughter and applause from the audience, a response that encouraged her passion for the spotlight. In 1954, she married Jack Bean, and the couple shared a home in Beverly Hills until his passing in 2006. Gaynor’s enduring legacy lives on through her contributions to Hollywood and her unforgettable performances that continue to inspire fans and performers alike.
