Knowra Ava Gardner Ava Gardner Ava Gardner (1922–1990) was an American film actress whose screen presence and performances made her one of Hollywood’s major stars. Her notable films include The Killers, Mogambo, and The Night of the Iguana.
The Killers (1946 film) : A 1946 film noir in which two hired killers investigate the murder of an ex-boxer. Gardner’s breakthrough role as Kitty Collins established her as a major screen presence.
John Ford : An American film director known for Westerns and other films marked by formal visual style. He directed Gardner in Mogambo, a major success and one of her best-known performances.
Smithfield, North Carolina : A town in Johnston County, North Carolina, and the county seat. Gardner was born nearby in Grabtown and grew up in the surrounding area.
Academy Award for Best Actress : An annual award presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for a leading female performance in a film. Gardner received a Best Actress nomination for Mogambo, her only competitive Oscar nomination.
Mogambo : A 1953 adventure drama set on safari in Kenya, directed by John Ford. Gardner earned an Academy Award nomination for her performance as Eloise Kelly.
John Huston : An American film director, screenwriter, and actor whose films include The Maltese Falcon and The African Queen. He directed Gardner in The Night of the Iguana and several other films.
Grabtown, North Carolina : An unincorporated community in Johnston County, North Carolina. Gardner was born there in 1922, before her family moved to Newport News, Virginia.
Hollywood glamour : A polished image of beauty, luxury, and celebrity associated with Hollywood films and publicity. Gardner became a lasting emblem of screen glamour, often overshadowing discussion of her acting.
The Night of the Iguana (film) : A 1964 drama directed by John Huston, adapted from Tennessee Williams’s play. Gardner played Maxine Faulk, a forceful hotel owner in one of her late-career signature roles.
Frank Sinatra : An American singer and actor who became one of the most prominent entertainers of the twentieth century. His marriage to Gardner from 1951 to 1957 drew sustained public attention.
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