Mitzi Gaynor, the vibrant dancer and actress best known for her role as Nellie Forbush in the 1958 film South Pacific, has passed away at age 93. Gaynor, one of the last stars from Hollywood’s golden age of musicals, died of natural causes on Thursday in Los Angeles, as confirmed by her managers, Rene Reyes and Shane Rosamonda.
- Gaynor’s illustrious career spanned eight decades in film, television, and live performance. She shared the screen with legendary figures like Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Gene Kelly, but her role in South Pacific remains her most memorable, earning her a Golden Globe nomination.
Later in life, Gaynor transitioned into a successful live entertainer, headlining musical revues across the U.S. and internationally. Born Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber in Chicago, Gaynor and her husband-manager Jack Bean built a quiet life in Beverly Hills. The couple had no children, and Bean passed away in 2006.
