Mitzi Gaynor, the beloved actress, singer, and dancer best known for her role as Nellie Forbush in the 1958 film South Pacific, passed away peacefully on Thursday at her Los Angeles home. She was 93. Her management team, Rene Reyes and Shane Rosamonda, confirmed her death, marking the end of a life that spanned more than eight decades in entertainment.
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From Francesca Gerber to Mitzi Gaynor
Born Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber in Chicago on September 4, 1931, Gaynor came from a family deeply rooted in the arts. Her Hungarian-born father was a cellist and conductor, while her mother was a dancer. At just 13, Gaynor joined the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera, quickly catching the eye of 20th Century Fox executives who offered her a contract.
Upon advice from actor George Jessel, Francesca adopted the stage name Mitzi Gaynor, a change that marked the beginning of her Hollywood journey. Her film debut came in My Blue Heaven (1950), and she quickly became a sought-after performer in musicals, including Golden Girl (1951) and Bloodhounds of Broadway (1952).
South Pacific: Gaynor’s Defining Role
In 1958, Gaynor landed her most iconic role as Nellie Forbush in the film adaptation of South Pacific. The Broadway version of the musical, originally starring Mary Martin, was a massive hit, but by the time the movie was made, Martin was considered too old for the role.
One of Mitzi Gaynor’s standout performances came at the 1967 Academy Awards, where she performed the Oscar-nominated song “Georgy Girl.”
Gaynor was the only actress willing to do a screen test, despite already being an established star. She credited Frank Sinatra for making the role possible, as he requested a change in their shooting schedule on The Joker Is Wild (1957) to allow her time to audition. The film was a box-office success, and Gaynor was praised for her performance. She was the only lead actor to perform her own singing in the film, which added to her popularity.
The Fade of Hollywood Musicals
Despite her success in South Pacific, Gaynor’s movie career slowed down as the era of Hollywood musicals faded. She appeared in a few more films, including comedies like For Love or Money (1963) alongside Kirk Douglas, but by the mid-1960s, she shifted her focus to live performances. For over a decade, she headlined Las Vegas shows and became a staple on television, starring in Emmy Award-winning variety specials such as Mitzi … A Tribute to the American Housewife and Mitzi and a Hundred Guys.
The Beatles and the Oscars
In 1964, Gaynor had a memorable, though overshadowed, appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. Despite being top-billed, she was upstaged by the Beatles, who were making their second American TV appearance. Later, Gaynor recalled Paul McCartney asking for her autograph at a cast dinner after the show.
Her television career soared in the late 1960s and 1970s. One of her standout performances came at the 1967 Academy Awards, where she performed the Oscar-nominated song “Georgy Girl.” The performance, with intricate choreography and a dazzling costume change, earned her a spot as a recurring performer at the Oscars and led to her popular variety shows.
A Life Behind the Sequins
Mitzi Gaynor’s performances were always marked by her boundless energy and charisma. “If there were four people waiting for the streetcar, I’d put on an entire act,” she once said, showcasing her love for entertaining. Her vibrant personality and style on stage helped launch the career of designer Bob Mackie, who created her iconic costumes filled with sequins, feathers, and rhinestones.
Though she was in the limelight, Gaynor stayed grounded, often reflecting on her life and career with humor. In a 2012 interview, she expressed gratitude for her experiences, saying, “Just think about how lucky I am. I’ve never had to work with a stinker.” Even in her 80s, she continued to perform, including a nightclub debut in New York at 78, demonstrating her lifelong dedication to show business.
A Love Story and Legacy
Mitzi Gaynor married Jack Bean, an agent at MCA, in 1954. He managed her career, sometimes to her disadvantage, like when he turned down a Broadway offer for Damn Yankees. Despite this, Gaynor forgave him, and the couple remained together until Bean’s death in 2006. They had no children but shared a deep bond for over 50 years.
“The secret to aging gracefully is simple—just have a good attitude.” Mitzi Gaynor
Gaynor’s legacy extends beyond her memorable performances on screen and stage. She was a trailblazer in entertainment, a performer who seamlessly moved from musicals to variety shows, and a woman who brought joy to audiences for decades. As she once said, “The secret to aging gracefully is simple—just have a good attitude.” It’s a lesson she carried with her throughout her extraordinary life.
Mitzi Gaynor’s presence will be missed, but her contributions to Hollywood and live entertainment will continue to resonate for generations to come.
