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

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mitzi Gaynor, the effervescent dancer and histrion who starred arsenic Nellie Forbush successful the 1958 movie of “South Pacific” and appeared successful different musicals with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly, has died. She was 93.

Gaynor, among the past survivors of the alleged aureate property of the Hollywood musical, died of earthy causes successful Los Angeles connected Thursday morning, her long-time managers Rene Reyes and Shane Rosamonda confirmed successful a connection to The Associated Press.

“As we observe her legacy, we connection our acknowledgment to her friends and fans and the countless audiences she entertained passim her agelong life,” Reyes and Rosamonda said successful a joint-statement. “Your love, enactment and appreciation meant truthful precise overmuch to her and was a sustaining acquisition successful her life.”

Mitzi Gaynor visits Hawaii to movie the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, “South Pacific,” successful 1958. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

Her amusement vocation spanned 8 decades crossed film, tv and the stage, but she is champion remembered for her crook successful “South Pacific.”

The surface mentation of “South Pacific” received 3 Academy Award nominations, and won for champion sound, portion Gaynor was a champion histrion nominee for a Golden Globe.

Later successful her career, Gaynor reinvented herself arsenic a performing entertainer. Under the guidance of her husband-manager, Jack Bean, she starred successful her ain philharmonic revue, earning apical wealth successful Las Vegas, Florida and theaters and auditoriums passim the U.S. and Canada and successful England and Australia arsenic well.

Mitzi Gaynor, US actress, vocalist and dancer, is pictured wrapped successful a pinkish towel successful a publicity inactive issued for the film, “South Pacific,” successful 1958. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

Born Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber (Mitzi is diminutive for Marlene) successful Chicago connected Sept. 4, 1931, was a portion of a musically inclined family, and she started singing and dancing astatine a young age.

Gaynor and Bean joined successful 1954 and successful 1960 bought a spacious location successful mid-Beverly Hills that became their location until his decease successful 2006. They seldom appeared astatine Hollywood events, preferring to entertain a fewer adjacent friends. The mates had nary children.