Mitzi Gaynor, star of ‘South Pacific,’ dies at 93

AP News ^ | October 17, 2024 | KAITLYN HUAMANI and BOB THOMAS -

[Red Badger]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mitzi Gaynor, the effervescent dancer and actor who starred as Nellie Forbush in the 1958 film of "South Pacific" and appeared in other musicals with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly, has died. She was 93.

Gaynor, among the last survivors of the so-called golden age of the Hollywood musical, died of natural causes in Los Angeles on Thursday morning, her long-time managers Rene Reyes and Shane Rosamonda confirmed in a statement to The Associated Press.

“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 joint statement. “Your love, support and appreciation meant so very much to her and was a sustaining gift in her life.”

Her entertainment career spanned eight decades across film, television and the stage, and appeared in several notable films including “We’re Not Married!” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” but she is best remembered for her turn in “South Pacific.”

The screen version of “South Pacific” received three Academy Award nominations and won for best sound, while Gaynor was a best actress nominee for a Golden Globe.

[Sirius Lee]

RIP

[rlmorel]

It was fun to watch. Different times…

[Buttons12]

She sure was full of energy, and she had range. Loved her in “The Joker Is Wild” with Sinatra.

[PGR88]

A bit before my time, but she had classic 1950s Hollywood looks - 17" waist, 36 inch hips and a ballet-dancer's legs.

Thought she was lovely in "Anything Goes" with Donald O'Conner.

RIP

[Wuli]

I did not know she was even still alive. From my youth on - she was almost a generation older than me - I always enjoyed her roles in the movies.

I have read that her and her husband led a quiet life in Hollywood and did not have any children.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Wow. She was a lot younger than I imagined. RIP, a great entertainer. "Wash that man right out of my hair …".

[Governor Dinwiddie]

That's a very lovely picture of Mitzi. Thanks for posting it!

[telescope115]

RIP Miss Gaynor.

[xp38]

Some enchanted evening....

[Sirius Lee]

Pics of Mitzi are a treat to post and see.

[TangoLimaSierra]

Lots of eyes poked out back in those days.

[poinq]

I was in her hair then she got out the shampoo and I was toast.

[linMcHlp]

Mitzi Gaynor - South Pacific - saw at the drive-in theatre, 1958

[Red Badger]

😎......................

[SkyDancer]

You went to a drive-in and actually watched a movie? My dad had stories.

[Sirius Lee]

saw at the drive-in theatre, 1958

Must have been magical in glorious technicolor wide-o-vision. Way before my time, but I bought a bunch of old musicals on DVDs from the WalMart bargain bin whenever I found one.

[D_Idaho]

RIP beautiful lady. I always liked her in “Surprise Package” with Yul Brynner.

[xoxox]

Hubba, hubba.

[Jane Long]

RIP Beauty! ❤️