Actress Mitzi Gaynor dies at 93

American Actress Mitzi Gaynor has died at the age of 93. 

The New York Times reports that Gaynor died on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at her home in Los Angeles.

Per the outlet:

Mitzi Gaynor, the bubbly actress, singer and dancer who landed one of the most coveted movie roles of the mid-20th century, the female lead in “South Pacific,” but who abandoned film as the era of movie musicals came to an end, died on Thursday at her home in Los Angeles. She was 93. Her managers, Rene Reyes and Shane Rosamonda, confirmed the death.

No further information has been provided about her passing.

Gaynor and South Pacific

More than anything else, she was perhaps best known for her role in South Pacific. 

The Times explains how Gaynor landed the much sought-after role, writing:

The role of Nellie Forbush, a World War II Navy nurse and (in the words of a song lyric) a “cockeyed optimist” in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s hit 1949 Broadway musical, had been originated and defined by Mary Martin. But when it came time to cast the 1958 movie of “South Pacific,” some considered Ms. Martin too old (she was in her 40s) and perhaps too strong-voiced for any actor who might be cast opposite her. (Ezio Pinza, her Broadway co-star, had died.)

Various replacements for Martin were considered, but it was only Gaynor, who agreed to do a screen test - and she got the role.

The movie, of course, ended up being a massive success, and in no small part to Gaynor. Gaynor, in fact, was the only star of the movie to do her own singing.

Gaynor did go on to star in a few more films, but she ended up leaving Hollywood behind, instead choosing to focus on doing shows in Las Vegas and on television.

"A glorious human being"

Gaynor was a talented actress, singer, and dancer.

By the time she landed the South Pacific role she already was very accomplished actress, having numerous movies and musicals to her name.

Gaynor's managers, following her passing, said:

For eight decades she entertained audiences in films, on television, and on the stage. She truly enjoyed every moment of her professional career and the great privilege of being an entertainer. Off stage, she was a vibrant and extraordinary woman, a caring and loyal friend, and a warm, gracious, very funny and altogether glorious human being.

The managers went on to explain how, to Gaynor, the audience was "the sunshine" of her life.

They wrote:

She often noted that her audiences were ‘the sunshine of my life.’ You truly were. We take great comfort in the fact that her creative legacy will endure through her many magical performances captured on film and video, through her recordings and especially through the love and support audiences around the world have shared so generously with her throughout her life and career.