One of the last surviving stars of classic Hollywood has passed away: Mitzi Gaynor, the vibrant actress, singer and dancer who starred in South Pacific and other golden age musicals, has died at 93.
Gaynor’s managers managers Rene Reyes and Shane Rosamonda confirmed the news to AP, saying that the actress died of natural causes in Los Angeles.
“As we celebrate her legacy, we offer our thanks to her friends and fans and the countless audiences she entertained throughout her long life,” they said in a statement.
“Your love, support and appreciation meant so very much to her and was a sustaining gift in her life.”
Born September 4, 1931 in Chicago, Gaynor began singing and dancing from a young age and signed a contract with Twentieth Century Fox at 17. After making her debut in 1950’s My Blue Heaven, she quickly rose to become a star.
One of classic Hollywood’s biggest “triple threats,” Gaynor’s singing, dancing and acting talents, combined with her energy and charm, made her a big draw in many hit musical films of the era, and she co-starred with some of the biggest movie stars. Her memorable films include There’s No Business Like Show Business, Anything Goes, Bloodhounds of Broadway and Les Girls.
But Gaynor is best known for starring in the 1958 film South Pacific, the big-screen adaptation of the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical.
In the lead role of Nellie Forbush, Gaynor performed classic numbers like “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” “A Cockeyed Optimist” and “A Wonderful Guy.” She received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance.
Gaynor made her last film appearance in 1963, but she reinvented herself as a live performer, to great success. Throughout the ’60s and ’70s, her act was a major draw in Las Vegas, and she had a series of lavishly produced television specials. She continued performing into her senior years.
Rest in peace to Mitzi Gaynor, one of the last surviving stars of golden age Hollywood who will always be remembered for her unforgettable performances in musicals like South Pacific.
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Shirley MacLaine: A Hollywood Legend Still Going Strong at 89
Shirley MacLaine is 89 years old, but she still goes against the grain and lives life to the fullest. The Academy Award–winning actress is still going strong, as seen by her memorable performances in movies like Steel Magnolias and The Apartment. Her unusual life stories, in addition to her outstanding career, are what distinguish her from her peers.
Over the course of her storied career, which stretches over seven decades, MacLaine has delighted audiences with her extraordinary talent and charm. From her iconic performances in Hollywood to her Broadway debut in New York, MacLaine has made a lasting impression on the entertainment world.
But MacLaine values the small pleasures in life, even in the midst of Hollywood’s flash and splendor. She spends most of her time on her ranch in New Mexico, surrounded by her cherished rat terriers, since she finds comfort in the natural world. She finds power and energy in being near nature, and she thinks it’s important to live in peace with the natural world.
Despite having a prosperous career in show business, MacLaine places an even more value on her trips and experiences. She has always placed more value on traveling to foreign nations than on Hollywood-style socializing. She finds that traveling to different places is more enjoyable than pursuing fame. Even in her late 80s, she is still motivated by her enthusiasm for life.
There has been conjecture about MacLaine’s romantic history for her whole life. Despite having a nearly 30-year marriage to producer Steve Parker, she has been transparent about her romances outside of it. Sachi Parker, her daughter, went so far as to say that Paul, an astronaut, was her real father. Despite MacLaine’s denial of these accusations, their relationship became tense and they stopped communicating.
Apart from her nonconformist perspectives on partnerships, MacLaine has garnered media attention for her assertion that she has had affairs with not one, but two prime ministers. Even though these allegations are yet unproven, they have increased her mystique and maintained popular curiosity.
Let’s honor Shirley MacLaine’s outstanding achievements to the entertainment industry as we commemorate her 89th birthday. Her acting enthusiasm never ceases to inspire us all, and her talent and charisma are ageless. She is a true Hollywood treasure and a legendary actress; may she be granted a long and happy life.
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