Mitzi Gaynor
| Mitzi Gaynor | |
 Mitzi Gaynor, c. 1954 | |
| Background information | |
| Born as: | Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber |
| Born | Sep 4, 1931 Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | Oct 17, 2024 - at age 92 Los Angeles, California Natural causes |
| Buried: | Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) |
| Spouse(s): | Jack Bean (1954 - 2006) d. |
| Notable for: | South Pacific * There's No Business Like Show Business * The Birds and the Bees * We're Not Married! |
| Nationality: | American |
| Ethnicity: | Caucasian |
| Height: | 5' 6" (1.68m) |
| Weight: | 112 lbs (51 kg) |
| Measurements: | 35C-22-35 in (88C-55-88 cm) |
| Hair color: | Blonde |
| Eye color: | Blue |
Mitzi Gaynor (born Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber ✦September 4, 1931 – †October 17, 2024) was an American actress, singer, and dancer. Her notable films included We're Not Married! (1952), There's No Business Like Show Business (1954), The Birds and the Bees (1956), and South Pacific (1958) – for which she was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical at the 1959 awards.
Gaynor was one of the last surviving actors of the "Golden Age of the Hollywood Musical".
Early life
Mitzi Gaynor was born Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber in Chicago on September 4, 1931, to Henry de Czanyi von Gerber, a violinist, cellist, and music director of Hungarian descent, and his wife, Pauline, a dancer.
Due to her father's second marriage, she became the stepsister of anti-war activist Donald W. Duncan. The family first moved to Elgin, Illinois, then to Detroit, and later, when she was 11, to Hollywood. She trained as a ballerina during her childhood and began her career in the corps de ballet. At 13, she was singing and dancing with the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera company (LA-CLO).
Career
- Wikipedia article: Mitzi Gaynor Career
South Pacific
Gaynor's greatest international fame came from her starring role as Ensign Nellie Forbush in the film version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific. For her performance, she was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical at the 1959 awards.
Personal life and death Gaynor was married to Jack Bean from 1954 until he died in 2006; Bean also served as her manager. In 1960, they acquired the Beverly Hills home, where they lived until Bean's death. Gaynor and Bean had no children.
Gaynor died from natural causes in Los Angeles on October 17, 2024, at age 93.
Honors
For her contribution to the motion picture industry, Gaynor has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6288 Hollywood Boulevard.
On October 14, 2006, the NY Alumni "adopted" Gaynor as an official "New Yorker" at Beverly Hills High School. New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg issued a proclamation paying tribute to her distinguished career as a singer, dancer, actress and writer.
On April 10, 2007, she was honored by the Museum of Television & Radio in Los Angeles with a special evening celebrating her television specials of the 1960s and 1970s. The sold-out event Mitzi Gaynor Razzle-Dazzle!: The Special Years featured a screening followed by a panel discussion with Gaynor, designer Bob Mackie, and director-choreographer Tony Charmoli. In conjunction with the event, the museum also featured a month-long gallery exhibit, "Mitzi by Mackie," showcasing Bob Mackie's Emmy-winning costumes from her specials, along with a selection of costumes from Gaynor's legendary stage shows and concert appearances.
On March 8, 2009, Gaynor was honored with the 2009 Boston Youth Moves Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Chita Rivera at Swellegance, Boston Youth Moves' annual fundraiser in Boston.
On November 7, 2009, Gaynor was honored with Chapman University's Lifetime Achievement in the Arts award during the 28th annual American Celebration Gala Night at Chapman University in Orange, California. On July 10, 2009, she was honored with the Tremaine 2009 entertainer of the year award from the Joe Tremaine dance competition nationals final gala in Orlando, Florida.
On April 13, 2010, she was honored with the Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award at the 25th annual Bistro Awards in New York City.
On April 18, 2010, Gaynor won the 2010 National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences − New York Chapter Emmy Award for Outstanding Entertainment Program/Special for her public television musical documentary Mitzi Gaynor: Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years.
On September 10, 2016, Gaynor was honored with the inaugural Legend Award from Nigel Lythgoe's Dizzy Feet Foundation.
On September 30, 2017, Gaynor was inducted into the Great American Songbook Hall of Fame, which celebrates lyricists, composers, and performers who helped create “the soundtrack of our lives” through their contributions to American Popular song, by its founder, Michael Feinstein.
Filmography
- Wikipedia article: Mitzi Gaynor Filmography
- Mitzi Gaynor gallery
from South Pacific
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Mitzi_Gaynor ]
External links
- Mitzi Gaynor at the Internet Movie Database
- Mitzi Gaynor at the Turner Classic Movie Database
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Mitzi_Gaynor ]
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