Mitzi Gaynor, a radiant talent who graced some of Hollywood’s most iconic musical films, has passed away at the age of 93.
Her managers, Rene Reyes and Shane Rosamonda, confirmed that she died of natural causes on Thursday in Los Angeles. Her death marks the end of an era for one of the last surviving stars from the "golden age" of Hollywood musicals.
“As we celebrate her legacy, we offer our thanks to her friends and fans and the countless audiences she entertained throughout her long life,” Reyes and Rosamonda said in a statement. “Your love, support, and appreciation meant so very much to her and was a sustaining gift in her life.”
Born Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber in Chicago in 1931, Gaynor’s journey to stardom began when she signed a contract with Twentieth Century Fox at just 17.
With her remarkable singing, dancing, and acting, she quickly became a fixture in the musical genre, earning fame for her roles in classic films like There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954), The Birds and the Bees (1956), and her most renowned performance in South Pacific (1958).
Her portrayal of Ensign Nellie Forbush in South Pacific earned her a Golden Globe nomination and sealed her place in Hollywood history.
Gaynor’s career was marked by her ability to shine among some of the industry's greatest stars, such as Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Marilyn Monroe. While her film career peaked in the late 1950s and early 1960s, her legacy endured through television specials, concert tours, and nightclub performances, particularly in Las Vegas and across North America.
A beloved figure both on and off the screen, Gaynor's charm and talent have left an indelible mark on the world of musicals, celebrated by fans and performers alike. She will be remembered as a dazzling performer who helped define the musical film genre and continued to inspire through her television work and live performances.