In Memoriam: A look back our 2009 interview with the multitalented star of stage and screen, Mitzi Gaynor.
Video Content: Mitzi Gaynor (2024)
In this 2009 interview with SIDEWALKS host Rafael Siegel, Mitzi Gaynor talked about working in Hollywood and what popular actor at that time she would love to work with. As part of the promotional tour, she discussed the 50th anniversary of “South Pacific” on Blu-Ray.
Please note: Promotional clips have been removed from the on-line interview.
Mini-Biography:
Mitzi Gaynor was an American actress, dancer, and singer, who rose to prominence in the 1950s and 1960s and helped define the golden age of Hollywood musicals and variety entertainment. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Gaynor began her career as a dancer and chorus girl. She signed with 20th Century Fox in 1950 and made her film debut in “My Blue Heaven” that same year. Her breakthrough came with her role in the 1954 film “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” starring alongside Ethel Merman and Donald O’Connor. Gaynor’s most notable film role was as Ensign Nellie Forbush in the 1958 adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific,” which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Her other films include “Golden Girl” (1951), “Bloodhounds of Broadway” (1952), and “Les Girls” (1957). In the 1960s and 1970s, Gaynor transitioned to television, becoming known for her annual TV specials and guest appearances on various shows. She also found success in Las Vegas, headlining at major hotels and casinos. Gaynor performed in stage productions and concerts well into the 2000s. She received multiple awards and honors for her contributions to entertainment, including the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award. Ms. Mitzi Gaynor passed away in Los Angeles on October 17, 2024 at the age of 93.
Interview Credits:
- Recorded: March 31, 2009
- Host / Segment Producer: Rafael Siegel
- Editor: Richard R. Lee
- Special Thanks To: Fox Home Entertainment