History of Mitzi Gaynor in Timeline
"Mitzi Gaynor is an accomplished American actress, singer, and dancer. Her career boasts notable films like 'We're Not Married!', 'There's No Business Like Show Business', 'The Birds and the Bees', and 'South Pacific', the last of which earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy in 1959."
September 4, 1931: Birth of Mitzi Gaynor
Mitzi Gaynor was born as Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber on September 4, 1931.
1950: Film Debut in "My Blue Heaven"
Mitzi Gaynor made her film debut in the musical "My Blue Heaven" in a supporting role in 1950.
1951: Appeared in "Take Care of My Little Girl"
Mitzi Gaynor appeared in the college drama "Take Care of My Little Girl", playing Jeanne Crain's roommate, in 1951.
1951: Starred in "Golden Girl"
Mitzi Gaynor landed a lead role as Lotta Crabtree in the musical biopic "Golden Girl" in 1951.
1952: Appeared in "We're Not Married!"
Mitzi Gaynor appeared in the anthology comedy "We're Not Married!" in 1952.
1952: Starred in "Bloodhounds of Broadway"
Mitzi Gaynor had a leading role in the musical "Bloodhounds of Broadway", a financial success, in 1952.
1952: Starred in "The I Don't Care Girl"
Mitzi Gaynor played the role of Eva Tanguay in the film "The I Don't Care Girl" in 1952.
1953: Starred in "Down Among the Sheltering Palms"
Mitzi Gaynor played a South Sea island girl in "Down Among the Sheltering Palms" in 1953.
November 18, 1954: Marriage to Jack Bean
Mitzi Gaynor married Jack Bean, a talent agent and public relations executive, in San Francisco on November 18, 1954. Following their marriage, Bean managed Gaynor's career.
1954: Appeared in "There's No Business Like Show Business"
Mitzi Gaynor was featured in Irving Berlin's "There's No Business Like Show Business", which became her most popular film during her time at Fox, in 1954.
1954: Appeared in "There's No Business Like Show Business"
Mitzi Gaynor appeared in the musical film "There's No Business Like Show Business" in 1954.
1956: Appeared in "Anything Goes"
Mitzi Gaynor starred alongside Bing Crosby and Donald O'Connor in the Paramount remake of "Anything Goes" in 1956.
1956: Appeared in "The Birds and the Bees"
Mitzi Gaynor starred in "The Birds and the Bees", taking on the role previously played by Barbara Stanwyck in "The Lady Eve", in 1956.
1957: Starred in "The Joker Is Wild" and "Les Girls"
Mitzi Gaynor had a lead role in "The Joker Is Wild" opposite Frank Sinatra and appeared in MGM's "Les Girls" alongside Gene Kelly and Kay Kendall in 1957.
1958: Appeared in "South Pacific"
Mitzi Gaynor starred as Ensign Nellie Forbush in the film adaptation of "South Pacific" in 1958.
1959: Appeared in "Happy Anniversary"
Mitzi Gaynor co-starred with David Niven in the film "Happy Anniversary" in 1959.
1959: Nominated for Golden Globe Award
Mitzi Gaynor received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical for her role in "South Pacific" in 1959.
1960: Starred in "Surprise Package"
Mitzi Gaynor starred in the Stanley Donen-directed musical comedy thriller "Surprise Package" alongside Yul Brynner and Noël Coward in 1960.
1963: Appeared in "For Love or Money"
Mitzi Gaynor appeared in "For Love or Money", which starred Kirk Douglas, in 1963.
February 16, 1964: Performance on "The Ed Sullivan Show"
Mitzi Gaynor performed on "The Ed Sullivan Show" during The Beatles' second appearance on February 16, 1964.
1967: Performance at the Academy Awards Ceremony
Mitzi Gaynor sang the theme from the film "Georgy Girl" at the 1967 Academy Awards ceremony.
October 14, 1968: Premiere of Mitzi's First Television Special
On October 14, 1968, Mitzi Gaynor starred in "Mitzi," her first television special. This marked a new phase in her career, showcasing her wide-ranging talents that she had honed in theatrical performances, films like "There's No Business Like Show Business" and "South Pacific," and on the concert stage.
1969: Performance in "Mitzi's 2nd Special"
Mitzi Gaynor performed the song-and-dance number "Poor Papa" in her 1969 TV special, "Mitzi's 2nd Special".
October 14, 2006: Honored as an official "New Yorker"
The NY Alumni recognized Mitzi Gaynor as an official "New Yorker" at Beverly Hills High School on October 14, 2006.
December 4, 2006: Death of Jack Bean
Mitzi Gaynor's husband, Jack Bean, died of pneumonia at the age of 84 on December 4, 2006.
April 10, 2007: Honored by the Museum of Television & Radio
Mitzi Gaynor was honored by the Museum of Television & Radio in Los Angeles with a special event celebrating her television specials on April 10, 2007.
July 30, 2008: Appearance on "Academy of Television Arts and Sciences TV Moves Live"
Mitzi Gaynor participated in the "Academy of Television Arts and Sciences TV Moves Live", a celebration of dance on television, on July 30, 2008.
November 18, 2008: Release of Documentary "Mitzi Gaynor Razzle Dazzle: The Special Years"
The documentary "Mitzi Gaynor Razzle Dazzle: The Special Years", which celebrates Gaynor's television specials, was released by City Lights Pictures on November 18, 2008.
March 8, 2009: Received Boston Youth Moves Lifetime Achievement Award
Mitzi Gaynor was presented with the Boston Youth Moves lifetime achievement award by Chita Rivera on March 8, 2009.
July 10, 2009: Received Tremaine 2009 Entertainer of the Year Award
Mitzi Gaynor was honored with the Tremaine 2009 entertainer of the year award at the Joe Tremaine dance competition nationals final gala on July 10, 2009.
November 7, 2009: Received Chapman University's Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award
Mitzi Gaynor was granted Chapman University's lifetime achievement in the arts award on November 7, 2009.
2009: Start of "Razzle Dazzle: My Life Behind the Sequins" Tour
Mitzi Gaynor embarked on her one-woman show "Razzle Dazzle: My Life Behind the Sequins" tour across the United States and Vancouver in 2009.
April 13, 2010: Received Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award
Mitzi Gaynor received the Bob Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award at the 25th annual Bistro Awards on April 13, 2010.
April 18, 2010: Won Emmy Award for "Mitzi Gaynor: Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years"
Mitzi Gaynor won a New York Chapter Emmy Award for Outstanding Entertainment Program/Special for her documentary "Mitzi Gaynor: Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years" on April 18, 2010.
2014: End of "Razzle Dazzle: My Life Behind the Sequins" Tour
Mitzi Gaynor concluded her "Razzle Dazzle: My Life Behind the Sequins" tour in 2014.
September 10, 2016: Received Dizzy Feet Foundation's Inaugural Legend Award
Mitzi Gaynor was honored with the first-ever Legend Award from the Dizzy Feet Foundation on September 10, 2016.
September 30, 2017: Induction into Great American Songbook Hall of Fame
On September 30, 2017, Mitzi Gaynor was inducted into the Great American Songbook Hall of Fame, an organization founded by Michael Feinstein to celebrate individuals who have made significant contributions to American popular song.