Entertainment Icon Mitzi Gaynor Passes Away at 93

Mitzi Gaynor, the renowned actor, singer, and dancer famous for her roles in 1950s Hollywood musicals, has passed away at the age of 93, her management announced. Gaynor’s legacy includes starring roles in films such as South Pacific and There’s No Business Like Show Business, as well as performances on the Las Vegas stage and various TV variety specials.

Rene Reyes and Shane Rosamonda, of Gaynor’s management team, expressed their condolences in a statement released earlier today. They thanked Gaynor’s friends, fans, and the myriad audiences who enjoyed her performances over her long career. “Please keep Mitzi in your thoughts and prayers,” the statement concluded.

Born Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber in Chicago on September 4, 1931, Gaynor rose to fame in the early 1950s. She became a prominent figure in Hollywood musicals, performing alongside legends such as Bing Crosby and Gene Kelly. One of her most iconic roles came in 1958 when she starred as Nellie Forbush in the film adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein‘s South Pacific, earning her a Golden Globe nomination.

Gaynor’s career extended beyond film as she transitioned to television in the 1960s. Her popularity grew with her NBC special titled Mitzi and continued with annual variety shows on CBS throughout the 1970s. Notably, she made a memorable guest appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, coinciding with The Beatles‘ second appearance on the show.

Gaynor also had a successful career on the nightclub and Vegas circuits, breaking box office records with her performances. Her show at the Flamingo Hotel in 1961 reportedly made her the highest-paid female entertainer in Las Vegas at the time.

Mitzi Gaynor’s influence was not limited to stage and screen; she also received recognition for her work in television, winning several Emmy Awards for her TV specials. A 2008 documentary, Mitzi Gaynor: Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years, celebrated her contributions to the entertainment industry.

Gaynor was married to Jack Bean, who was her manager until his death in 2006. The couple did not have children. Mitzi Gaynor’s vibrant presence and enduring creative legacy will continue to be celebrated by audiences worldwide.