Mitzi Gaynor, Star of 'South Pacific,' Passes Away at 93
Mitzi Gaynor, the vivacious dancer and actress renowned for her role as Nellie Forbush in the 1958 cinematic adaptation of "South Pacific," has passed away at the age of 93. A luminary of the Hollywood musical's golden epoch, Gaynor graced the screen alongside legends like Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Gene Kelly. Her demise, attributed to natural causes, occurred in Los Angeles on Thursday morning, as confirmed by her long-time managers, Rene Reyes and Shane Rosamonda, in a statement to The Associated Press.
"In honoring her legacy, we extend our gratitude to her friends, fans, and the numerous audiences she delighted throughout her extensive career," Reyes and Rosamonda expressed in their joint statement. "Your affection, support, and admiration were invaluable to her and served as a cherished gift throughout her life."
Spanning eight decades, her illustrious career traversed film, television, and the stage, yet her portrayal in "South Pacific" remains her most iconic achievement. The film garnered three Academy Award nods, clinching the award for best sound, and Gaynor herself was nominated for a Golden Globe as best actress.
In her later years, Gaynor redefined her career as a performing entertainer. Guided by her husband-manager, Jack Bean, she dazzled audiences with her own musical revue, commanding top billing in Las Vegas, Florida, as well as theaters and auditoriums across the U.S., Canada, England, and Australia.
Born Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber in Chicago on September 4, 1931, Mitzi hailed from a family with musical inclinations, embarking on her journey in singing and dancing at an early age. In 1954, Gaynor wed Bean, and in 1960 they acquired a spacious abode in mid-Beverly Hills, which remained their home until Bean's passing in 2006. The couple favored the company of a select circle of friends over Hollywood's social scene and did not have children.
