Vivacious actress and dancer Mitzi Gaynor (1930–) was born Francesca Mitzi Gerber in Chicago, Illinois. The daughter of a ballerina and a classical musician, she is rumored to descend from Hungarian aristocracy.

“Dance,” said the great Martha Graham, “is the hidden language of the soul.” Gaynor found that language at age four, inspired by her idol Betty Grable. She joined the Los Angeles Light Opera Company’s corps de ballet at just 12 years old.

Her screen debut came in 1950 with My Blue Heaven, starring Grable. Mitzi went on to light up the screen with passionate exuberance alongside Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Gene Kelly.

She is best known for her iconic role as Ensign Nellie Forbush in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific (1958), filmed on the lush Hawaiian island of Kauai. “I'm gonna wash that man right outta my hair,” she sang, “and send him on his way.”

In later years, the talented star continued to shine in Las Vegas nightclubs, television specials, and touring musical acts, delighting audiences with her signature flair and glowing presence. She IS a living legend of Golden Age Hollywood, Broadway flair, and joyful resilience and I thank Donna Marie for asking me to celebrate her.