Mitzi Gaynor
Biography
Mitzi Gaynor was an American actress, singer, and dancer who began as a ballerina and became a star of Hollywood musicals. Born in Chicago, she trained in ballet from childhood and by her early teens was performing with the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera. At 17 she joined 20th Century Fox on a seven-year studio contract, where she sang, danced, and acted in musicals. Her first screen part came in My Blue Heaven (1950), and Fox later gave her a leading role in Golden Girl (1951). She won her widest fame as Ensign Nellie Forbush in South Pacific (1958), earning a Golden Globe nomination for best actress in a movie comedy or musical. Her other films included There's No Business Like Show Business (1954) and Les Girls (1957). In later years she headlined television specials, which drew 16 Emmy nominations, and performed in nightclubs and concerts. She died in 2024.
93years old at death
- Born Chicago
- Died Los Angeles
- Star sign: VirgoThe sign runs August 23 to September 22
- Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber (birth name)
Movie Career
- Films
- 9
- Career span
- 69 years1952 to 2021
Genres
- Comedy56%, 5 films
- Musical44%, 4 films
- Romance33%, 3 films
- Biography22%, 2 films
- Documentary22%, 2 films
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About the name
Gaynor's professional name came from a Fox executive who thought her real surname, Gerber, sounded like a delicatessen, so the studio chose a name with the same initials.
Early training
Gaynor began training as a ballerina at age 8 and started her career in the corps de ballet. By 13, she was performing as a singer and dancer with the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera company.
Big break
Gaynor starred as Ensign Nellie Forbush in the film of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific, the role that brought her the greatest international fame.
A first
Gaynor appeared between two sets by the Beatles on their second Ed Sullivan Show appearance in 1964, and later dined with them when they asked for her autograph.
A change of course
In the 1990s, Gaynor took on the role of a featured columnist for The Hollywood Reporter, writing for that publication.
Mitzi Gaynor movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
- There's No Business Like Show Business1954 Comedy, Drama, Musicalas Katy Donahue
IMDb rating 6.47.5K votes
Most often with
Marilyn Monroe appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Marilyn Monroe's page
David Wayne's page
George Chakiris's page
Dan Dailey's page
Donald O'Connor's page
Ethel Merman's page
Awards
Two awards and honors.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Mary Pickford Award | Won | ||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.