Mitzi Gaynor
Mitzi Gaynor is an American actress, singer, and dancer whose film musicals include the 1958 adaptation of South Pacific.
South Pacific (1958 film): A film adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical, starring Mitzi Gaynor as Nellie Forbush. Gaynor’s best-known film role was the Navy nurse Nellie Forbush.
Rodgers and Hammerstein: The American songwriting partnership of composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II. Their musical South Pacific supplied the role that became Gaynor’s signature.
20th Century Studios: An American film studio founded in 1935 as Twentieth Century-Fox. Gaynor became a contract performer at the studio as a young actress.
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy: A Golden Globe category honoring leading performances in musical or comedic motion pictures. Gaynor won the award for South Pacific in 1959.
There's No Business Like Show Business: A 1954 musical film featuring Ethel Merman, Marilyn Monroe, Donald O’Connor, and Mitzi Gaynor. Gaynor played Katy Donahue in this backstage family musical.
George Cukor: An American film director known for films including The Philadelphia Story and My Fair Lady. Cukor directed Gaynor in the musical comedy Les Girls.
Theatre Arts Alliance: A Los Angeles dance school where young performers trained in ballet and other dance forms. Gaynor studied dance there before entering film work.
Emmy Award: An American award recognizing excellence in television programming and performance. Gaynor received Emmy nominations for her television specials.
Les Girls: A 1957 musical comedy film directed by George Cukor and starring Gene Kelly, Mitzi Gaynor, and Kay Kendall. Gaynor’s role as dancer Joy Henderson earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
Gene Kelly: An American actor, dancer, singer, and film director known for exuberant, athletic musical performances. Kelly co-starred with Gaynor in Les Girls.