Mitzi Gaynor, the vivacious performer who captivated audiences with her singing, dancing, and acting prowess during the golden age of Hollywood musicals, has died at 93. Her long-time managers, Rene Reyes and Shane Rosamonda, confirmed that Gaynor passed away from natural causes in Los Angeles on Thursday morning, October 17.

Born Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber in Chicago, Gaynor hailed from a musically inclined family and began her entertainment career at a young age. Her journey in show business spanned an impressive eight decades, encompassing film, television, and stage performances.

Gaynor’s breakout role came in 1958 when she starred as Ensign Nellie Forbush in the film adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific.” Her portrayal of the love-struck nurse earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. The film itself received three Academy Award nominations and won for best sound.

Landing the role of Nellie Forbush was a pivotal moment in Gaynor’s career. She credited Frank Sinatra for helping her secure the part. While filming “The Joker Is Wild” with Sinatra, Gaynor had a one-day opportunity to audition for lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II. Sinatra, recognizing the importance of the audition, adjusted the filming schedule to accommodate her.

Throughout the 1950s, Gaynor graced the silver screen in numerous musicals, including “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Les Girls,” and “Anything Goes.” Her effervescent personality and triple-threat skills as an actress, singer, and dancer made her a standout performer of her era.

As the popularity of movie musicals waned in the 1960s, Gaynor adeptly transitioned to television and live performances. She became a familiar face on variety shows and hosted her own series of successful television specials from 1967 to 1978, garnering 16 Emmy nominations.

Under the guidance of her husband-manager, Jack Bean, Gaynor reinvented herself as a stage performer. She headlined in Las Vegas, where she became the city’s highest-paid female entertainer. Her musical revue toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

In 1970, Gaynor achieved another milestone when she became the first woman to be awarded the Las Vegas governor’s trophy for “Star Entertainer of the Year.”

Gaynor’s personal life was marked by a long and devoted marriage to Jack Bean, a talent agent and public relations executive. The couple wed in 1954 and remained together until Bean’s death in 2006. They resided in a spacious house in Beverly Hills and had no children.

Even in her later years, Gaynor continued to captivate audiences. From 2008 to 2011, she toured with her show “Mitzi … Razzle Dazzle! My Life Behind the Sequins,” a retrospective of her glamorous life and career.

Throughout her career, Gaynor received numerous accolades. In 2017, she was inducted into the Great American Songbook Hall of Fame, cementing her status as a legend in the entertainment industry.

Reyes and Rosamonda, Gaynor’s long-time managers, expressed their gratitude in a statement: “As we celebrate her legacy, we offer our thanks to her friends and fans and the countless audiences she entertained throughout her long life. Your love, support and appreciation meant so very much to her and was a sustaining gift in her life.”

Mitzi Gaynor’s passing marks the end of an era in Hollywood history. Her vibrant performances and enduring career serve as a testament to her talent and the lasting impact of the golden age of musicals.