Mitzi Gaynor Dead: Legendary ‘South Pacific’ Actress Was a ‘Vibrant and Extraordinary Woman’

Mitzi Gaynor, best known for her role in South Pacific, has died. She was 93.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved friend and client Mitzi Gaynor. She passed away peacefully today of natural causes at the age of 93,” Rene Reyes and Shane Rosamonda, her management team, said in a statement to Closer on Thursday, October 17.

“In an eight decade career, she blazed a trail through classic movie musicals including South Pacific, There’s No Business Like Show Business and Les Girls, had a long and successful career on the concert stage and on television where her annual music variety specials earned seven primetime Emmy Awards,” the statement continued.

Her team also shared a statement on social media, adding that she was a “vibrant and extraordinary woman, a caring and loyal friend, and a warm, gracious, very funny and altogether glorious human being. And she could cook, too!”

Prior to her death, Gaynor spoke with Closer about landing her iconic role of Ensign Nellie Forbush in 1958’s South Pacific. She specifically referenced the joy of working with Rossano Brazzi, who portayed Emile de Becque.

“Filming the movie on location was hard work, but thrilling just the same,” she said during a December 2023 interview with Closer. “I adored working with Rossano. I would tease him in my best Italian and say, ‘Rossano, you are the most gorgeous, the most talented, the most handsome man in all of the movies,’ and he’d answer, ‘Mitzi Gaynor … I know.’ I mean how could you not love that?”

Her work on the film earned her a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical.

One month later, Closer spoke with Gaynor again, where she reflected on how much South Pacific changed her life.

“I wouldn’t have the opportunity to be doing this interview if I hadn’t made South Pacific,” she said in January. “That’s how important it was for me. It was the be-all and end-all in my career. Filming the movie itself on location was hard work but thrilling just the same. I adored working with Rossano Brazzi and singing the incredible Rodgers and Hammerstein score. Oscar Hammerstein was with us on location on the island of Kauai [Hawaii] during some of the shoot, and he even directed me in a scene. It was such fun.”

Gaynor was married to Jack Bean from 1954 until his death in 2006 from pneumonia at age 84.

“We were married for 52 years. I knew Jack was in my corner, and he knew that I was in his. He was my champion. We were ‘the Beans,’ really one unit, in work and in life, for so many years,” the performer said. “There was a great comfort in that. I loved him. I loved being Mrs. Bean and I miss him.”

She also expressed her gratitude for her marvelous career and fans and shared what was on her bucket list.

“Everything is on my bucket list! I want to do it all again, and then do it some more,” the Birds and the Bees actress said. “Every day is a gift and a surprise. I’d love to be in front of an audience once more. I’d love to finish my book. There’s so much left to do, and I’m grateful for all of it.”