As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of film and theater, I can say with confidence that Mitzi Gaynor was truly one of the greats. Her career spanned over eight decades, making her an iconic figure in entertainment history.
Mitzi Gaynor, the celebrated triple-talent entertainer recognized for her role in the film adaptation of “South Pacific,” passed away at 93 on October 17. Married to her manager, Jack Bean, in 1954, they spent over five decades together until his passing in 2006. They did not have any children. In a tribute, her managers, Rene Reyes and Shane Rosamonda, stated on X: “For eight decades she enchanted audiences with films, television appearances, and stage performances. She cherished every moment of her professional journey as an entertainer.” Off the stage, she was a vivacious and exceptional woman, a compassionate friend, and a delightful, humorous, and genuinely magnificent human being. And she could whip up a delicious meal too!
1931 saw the birth of Gaynor in Chicago to a mother who danced professionally and a father who played the cello. She started dance classes at eight years old, and signed her first film contract when she turned seventeen. Her initial appearance on screen was in the musical “My Blue Heaven” in 1950, where she played a secondary character. The following year, she landed her first leading role as Lotta Crabtree in “Golden Girl”. In 1958, Gaynor was chosen to portray Nellie Forbush in “South Pacific”, a role that had originally been intended for Mary Martin who played it on Broadway. However, after the untimely death of Ezio Pinza, the producers decided to recast, and Gaynor was selected over actresses like Doris Day and Elizabeth Taylor. Notably, Gaynor was the only one among the four leads who sang her own parts. In 2024, she referred to this movie as the pinnacle of her career.
After starring in South Pacific, Gaynor produced only four films, opting instead for television as movie musicals started to wane in popularity during the ’60s. From 1967 to 1978, she created nine TV variety specials. Notably, her performance outside of South Pacific was as the headliner on an episode of the Ed Sullivan Show, where the Beatles gave their legendary performance. In a social media post in 2019, she reminisced, “On the same bill with me that night were, The Beatles! Hard to believe, my nearly 15-minute segment was labeled ‘lascivious’ the next day… little me, ‘lascivious’. What a hoot!
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2024-10-18 01:58