The lively actress, singer, and dancer Mitzi Gaynor, who featured in South Pacific and other golden age musicals, died at the age of 93, making her one of the last remaining stars of classic Hollywood.
According to Rene Reyes and Shane Rosamonda, Gaynor’s managers, the actress passed away in Los Angeles from natural causes.
“As we celebrate her legacy, we offer our thanks to her friends and fans and the countless audiences she entertained throughout her long life,” they said in a statement.
“Your love, support and appreciation meant so very much to her and was a sustaining gift in her life.”
Gaynor, who was born in Chicago on September 4, 1931, started singing and dancing at a young age. At the age of 17, she secured a deal with Twentieth Century Fox. She made her screen debut in My Blue Heaven in the 1950s and soon became a household name.
One of the biggest “triple threats” in classic Hollywood, Gaynor costarred with some of the biggest cinema stars and was a major attraction in many of the era’s hit musicals thanks to her energy and charm as well as her singing, dancing, and acting skills. Bloodhounds of Broadway, Anything Goes, There’s No Business Like Show Business, and Les Girls are just a few of her iconic movies.
However, Gaynor’s most well-known role was in the 1958 motion picture adaptation of the popular Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, South Pacific.
In the lead role of Nellie Forbush, Gaynor performed classic numbers like “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” “A Cockeyed Optimist” and “A Wonderful Guy.” She received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance.
After making her final movie appearance in 1963, Gaynor successfully rebranded herself as a live performer. Her act was a big hit in Las Vegas during the 1960s and 1970s, and she had a number of extravagantly made TV specials. She performed well into her latter years.
One of Hollywood’s last remaining legends, Mitzi Gaynor, will always be remembered for her iconic roles in musicals like South Pacific. May she rest in peace.
