Mitzi Gaynor, iconic entertainer and “South Pacific” star, dead at 93

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.”

Mitzi Gaynor publicity portrait for 1958 film ‘South Pacific’. (Photo by Screen Archives/Getty Images).

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 BusinessAnything GoesBloodhounds 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.

Mitzi Gaynor in a publicity still for the movie South Pacific. (Photo by Herbert Dorfman/Corbis via Getty Images)

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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Michael Jacksoп is ALIVE aпd secretly prepariпg for a MASSIVE COMEBACK, pal Akoп coпfirmed!!! MJ’s prodυcer & stylist agreed too.

He has also claimed he was a close friend of the star towards the end of his life and released the tribute song Cry Out Of Joy after his death.
Jackson’s former stylist and hairdresser Steve Erhardt, who initially wrote a Facebook message to “believers” – the singer’s fans who still cling to the idea he is still alive – in 2017 saying he had a message for them.
The message said: “A tip for the believers, the Michael Jackson believers. You heard it here first, an announcement of sorts.

COMEBACK
“And in a couple of months, or latest at the end of the year, you will be receiving some very good news.
“It’s almost unbelievable. And not even the family knows… but I do.”

Erhardt has never made public exactly what the post referred to.
In June last year he shared another enigmatic post showing only the leg of a man wearing Jacko’s trademark white socks and baggy, short black trousers.
The post said: “In a recording studio, somewhere in the world, in an undisclosed location, he’s coming soon.”

Further fuelling the strange conspiracy theories has been a YouTube channel, “BeLIEve” focused on debating if Jackson is still alive.
In one video, it states: “Michael’s friend, Hollywood hair designer Steve Erhardt, told us last year that he would give good news to Believers (I mean people who believe that Michael Jackson is alive).

“Now he shared something that excited the fans.”
Michael Turegano, who has investigated Jacko’s death for almost a decade, said that Erhardt’s claims should not be dismissed.
He said last year: “He’s been in contact with Michael in the past. So I think we should care what he says.”
Jackson died after suffering a heart attack in 2009 but some people have refused to believe that is really what happened.
His personal physician, Conrad Murray, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter over his death, which was deemed to be a homicide, the Los Angeles County Coroner ruled.

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