Mitzi Gaynor, the vibrant and talented actress and dancer renowned for her role as Nellie Forbush in the 1958 film adaptation of “South Pacific,” has passed away at the age of 93.
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 heartfelt statement, Reyes and Rosamonda expressed gratitude for the support and admiration Gaynor received throughout her remarkable life, saying, “As we celebrate her legacy, we offer our thanks to her friends and fans and the countless audiences she entertained.” They noted that the love and appreciation she received were invaluable and sustained her throughout her years.
Over the course of an impressive eight-decade career in film, television, and theater, Gaynor is predominantly remembered for her celebrated performance in “South Pacific.”
The film adaptation garnered three Academy Award nominations, ultimately winning for best sound, while Gaynor was recognized as a nominee for best actress at the Golden Globe Awards.
As her career progressed, Gaynor redefined herself as a captivating performer. With the support of her husband-manager, Jack Bean, she led her own musical revue, making headlines with successful shows in Las Vegas, Florida, and various theaters across the United States, Canada, England, and Australia.
Born Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber on September 4, 1931, in Chicago, Gaynor grew up in a family deeply rooted in music, which inspired her to pursue singing and dancing from a young age.
In 1954, she married Bean, and by 1960, they purchased a beautiful residence in Beverly Hills, where they lived until Bean’s passing in 2006. The couple preferred to stay out of the Hollywood limelight and often entertained a small circle of close friends, and they did not have any children.