Mitzi Gaynor on Marilyn, Sinatra, and The Beatles

The 81-year-old, who broke through in 1950s Fox musicals as a blonde bombshell who could act, sing and dance, reflects on a career that is still going strong today.

[@larrysteimle2004]

"My husband died. He didn't "pass away. He died." I like that. Who doesn't love Mitzi?

[@MrDaiseymay]

so honest and plain speaking

[@kiranjitKaur61]

Does she think there is no afterlife?

[@scronx]

I don't.

[@gtlfb]

The fact that she tears up over 50 years later over a kindness shown to her by Frank Sinatra tells you all you need to know about her.

[@stardustgirl2904]

She's an actress ❗🤔

[@degsbabe]

Shes a talented legend.

[@edward311]

She's amazing. Why no honorary oscar for all she has contributed to cinema history?

[@deborahduthie4519]

EDWARD Great Idea. Write to the Academy of Stage, Film and Screen to promote Mitz. What a gal.

[@Fieldon]

Refreshing to see a celebrity interview where they are totally honest and open. Mitzi is the greatest!

[@djacob5295]

Talk about sharp as a tack. 81 going on 21. She is unbelievable.

[@mollykafes2680]

Mitzi GAYNOR a great talent and beautiful. What a figure!!!!

[@MrCjm608]

she stole everything! She sang,danced and acted Perfectly. The original Triple Threat. Bravo!

[@estheroreilly3143]

If I am half this cool at 81, I will die happy.

[@jimrick6632]

I AM 80 AND HAVE TWO FAVORITES...JANE POWELL AND MITZI GAYNOR...BOTH STILL WITH US...NO ONE LIKE THESE TWO AROUND TODAY...STILL LOVE BOTH OF YOU IF YOU EVER READ THIS...

[@1peterpann]

wow she is witty and so down to earth and I can`t believe she`s 81

[@Plmncvb]

What a phenomenal example of aging gracefully, her eyes reflect her energy and passion and she is sharp as a tack. Probably still has a good figure, too!

[@kdesforges103]

Amazing. .what a fabulous example of dignity and character...What a gal thanks Mitzi

[@leelat8230]

She's amazing she knows how to take care of herself

[@dianadavis8400]

She was one of my favorites. She was the big sister everyone wanted to have. What a sweetheart

[@michaelbarnett8314]

One of the greatest talents this country has ever produced

[@tracymcmillan1466]

As of 10/15/2019, she is still alive at 88.

[@MrDaiseymay]

thanks for that

[@gregoryhoover5875]

As of 10/25/2019 I predict she will out -live, out-love, and out-laugh us all !

[@terigarrison6486]

@@gregoryhoover5875 10/13/19 my 87 yr old mother passed on and she sang and I sang to 'south pacific' 1000 x at least. Thanks, Mitzi

[@gregoryhoover5875]

@@terigarrison6486 For your mother: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXfPpYyafMyFgsk

[@gregoryhoover5875]

@@terigarrison6486 And by "for her" I mean that I'm sending you this "for her" "...becuase she wants you to hear this message from her. And God bless you - (and KNOW this: she'll be the first one you see when you arrive.)

[@jenlambie14]

What a delightful interview with a charming, beautiful and enormously talented woman. Mitzi Gaynor a real star! 2019

[@jennifer86010]

She was always athletic, energetic and smart as a whip. But I'm amazed at her incredible animation. As she talks about people, she imitates them using accents and voices and drama. She's telling her stories, but she is also acting the characters in her stories as she sits there talking. Very very talented woman. She is the type who can play comedy and drama equally well. 'Probably has an I.Q. that is very high. 'Loved her in everything she did. A real Hollywood talent, from the golden era where everyone needed real talent to succeed.

[@lorenzomagazzeni5425]

Man, you should be real old, I'm 70 and have no idea who Mitzi Gainor was or is. I wish you well

[@TheRealDrJoey]

@@lorenzomagazzeni5425 I'll be 70 in 6 weeks, Lorenzo, and I'm sorry you missed her. She was funny, super-sexy, multi-talented, and a sharp cookie. I first saw her at 14, when she was on just before the Beatles. She...got my attention. I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only 14 year-old boy who was mightily impressed.

[@gordanasantinon2728]

@@TheRealDrJoey n

[@TheRealDrJoey]

@@gordanasantinon2728 y

[@user-il5oq5df6l]

Mitzi's a showbiz legend!

[@11Dossier]

I love listening to the stories from an era gone by. What glamour, style and class this woman has. Thank you Mitzi Gaynor!

[@delusionsofgrandeur1330]

As of Easter 2021 she’s still going strong! I could listen to her talk for hours 😍 She is so captivating, hilarious and has so many great stories. Still sharp as a whip too!

[@liesljones5987]

Fantastic interview! Gaynor is beloved in Hollywood circles. A talented, honest, funny gal...and a survivor!

[@cheryl4729]

I could listen to her stories all day! What a beautiful, talented woman. A real star.

[@degsbabe]

Came through on pure talent. Fact that her singing voice was the only one not dubbed in SP ...says it all.

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

I met her backstage after her one of her live shows at Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale around 1978ish. She was a doll. So sweet.

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

@Ed Miller I was an usher there when I was a teenager for about 2 or 3 years. I saw and met a lot of interesting people.

[@marcuslloyd8218]

Oh how cool I usher there now

[@melrose795]

What a fun interview! Love her personality!!!

[@degsbabe]

Made for show business.

[@lovetommezz]

What a great interview..I always thought she was so beautiful , and she still is ..So glad I ran across this

[@theflorgeormix]

Absolute American Treasure...South Pacific...huge effect on a lot of people, so well done

[@piccolina721]

She's got a great sense of humour, and very witty !!

[@MrMjp58]

Wise, witty and wonderful.

[@iVenge]

Outstandingly sexy woman... and faithfully married for over 50 years. Pure class.

[@Anaxiphile]

Faithfully? Well, she gave as good as she got.

[@Mybpeterson]

She loved her husband to bits. They weren't blessed with children, but she said they had a lot of fun trying.

[@Anaxiphile]

@@Mybpeterson you are apparently familar with the public version of the story. Good for you.

[@katherined800]

How would you know if she was faithful?

[@DavidLeBlanc]

@@katherined800 Or unfaithful. At this point what difference does it make?

[@AnastaciaMary]

I met Mitzi Gaynor with Madame Etienne, the ballet teacher I studied with in Hollywood. She loved Mitzi!

[@charlesdavis7087]

She radiates Life and Intelligence directly out of her eyes. How alive she is !

[@MrDaiseymay]

i TOTALLY AGREE. SHE WAS /IS FAR SEXIER, BEING HERSELF, THAN ANY COACHED BIG BUSTED SINGLE ATTRIBUTED SEX-BOMB, EVER COULD BE.

[@ainemairead4542]

Is that a back handed insult to Marilyn Monroe..

[@avuncular300]

Such a charming person- a big star and enormously talented. She chats well as a seasoned raconteur. I did enjoy seeing her again.

[@jimfling2128]

Her very best interview ever. I met her at a cocktail party in San Francisco held by a retired AF colonel who helped me become a AF Cadet. She was a real funny lady and so full of talent a stories.

[@TeXXicJA]

South Pacific is one of my all-time favorite movies ever. I loved her as Ensign Nelly! He voice was amazing, and I'm so happy to see her here. She's a spitfire!

[@MrDaiseymay]

good tag--so suited.

[@andronom557]

I got the pleasure of being deck crew for a show she did recently, she is an amazing person to be around and talk to!

[@kenneth7027]

I had the extreme pleasure of seeing Ms. Gaynor performing live at the Cave Supper Club in Vancouver, BC. She came to Vancouver yearly to preview her new Vegas show. She always said "if Vancouver audiences didn't like a number, it was out". We were guests of her promoter and great friend. Found out later that we had been invited to meet her afterwards but I wasn't told. One of life's great missed opportunities. And Mitzi was GREAT!

[@dozerla2705]

My Grandpa loved Mitzi. Such a talented, classy, vibrant lady!

[@mauricioduron3193]

+Dozer LA Your granpa and me, both.

[@ainemairead4542]

Marilyn Monroe and Mitzi Gaynor incredible talents equally and equally deserving public recognition

[@mitziyoung9668]

My dad was a huge fan and named me aftery her. I hated my name when I was younger, but learned to love it in my teenage years. It made me stronger and it’s a big part of why I am who I am today.

[@megankazukibuttons9334]

She admits to being vain and yet exemplifies humility to the core now that's a true star.

[@tonychuter4830]

She's still looking good it's in the eyes she's still got it what a lovely lady and a great star..

[@user-qo2wv7zj5o]

She is one wonderful, beautiful, funny, extremely talented lady I still have a crush on to this day !

[@tacoma5543]

Mitzi recalls her time on Ed Sullivan show with The Beatles. 17:27. This whole interview is great and she is still a doll. I had such a HUGE crush on her back in day. She was so adorable and still a class act.

[@davidparris7167]

Thank you Mitzi Gaynor for being even greater than I imagined you were way back when watching South Pacific and There's no business Like Show Business as a callow youth in the 50's.What a talent,what a lady,what perfection.

[@willettej7988]

What a great woman! Love her. So multi-talented and gorgeous. She still is 😊

[@tomtv1]

Mitzi Gaynor is a screen legend. She deserves a lot more respect than she gets and what a great dancer. Like l said a legend!

[@DD-hy1nl]

I would love to be just like her if I ever get to live to 81 years old..She doesn't even sound like an 81 year old woman.

[@andyvanm1]

I Love Mitzi her TV specials were just that SPECIAL ,A Great talent and great Broad...

[@MAKEOVERGUY]

Everything about you is perfect Mitzi. And this is coming from someone who has over analyzed everything since I can remember. :) Perfection and entertainment.

[@cecedubois5147]

Completely agree, Christopher. She's positively pristine.

[@degsbabe]

Shes a tough cookie, and I admire her. But shes not perfect.

[@parrmik]

Imagine having your prime , preserved on the big screen ? Talk about lucid memories !

[@isukaman8561]

She was underrated during her time as a star.

[@mauricelowe8436]

+Isukaman i agree she was underrated in films, she was at the wrong studio and they stopped making musicals, but she came into her own in Las Vegas where she was the highest payed entertainer she was so big they gave her a percentage of the casinos where she worked, only the rack pack had that sort of treatment, and her tv shows had massive ratings and garnered 17 emmy nominations, she is now a showbusiness icon

[@zoeenicholee]

Yes, she certainly was. I have heard others downgrade her performance in South Pacific. I cannot fathom why. She was absolutely marvelous!! She is unbelievable.

[@rocimo124]

Isukaman I agree wholeheartedly

[@davanmani556]

She couldn’t hippie up despite her risqueness. She was a 50’s girl.

[@fancysfolly554]

maurice lowe did not know that! I’ve always been a fan of hers...

[@hairyscotman]

Lovely, classy, sweet lady....she was loaded with talent and still was so grateful that she was chosen as a STAR....and that she was!!!

[@thyslop1737]

Sharp as a tack, impecabbly dressed and well coiffed and makeuped.

[@MrDaiseymay]

True Hollywood CLASS, I can think of no one, her equal now---except Julie Andrews.

[@Koukoulaki45]

That was six years ago.

[@JudgeJulieLit]

*made up

[@milels6917]

JudgeJulieLit makeup and money

[@kiranjitKaur61]

@@MrDaiseymay No. Not Julie. Julie has always been pro lgbtq.

[@laurenceesposito3393]

Saw her on stage years ago. She was really into her show and showed great love for her audiences. I remembered her as special.

[@ronnross9624]

Laurence Esposito

[@kjellhansen1387]

Mitzi WAS one OF MY sisters favourites

[@sandykillila7998]

I saw her live in Indianapolis. Very best entertainment I ever saw. Energy, talent galore, funny, unflagging showwoman. She was there to give her audience their money's worth. Hours of performance! The best.

[@bigbandsrock1]

So wonderful! Mitzi is just theeee best there is! Thank you for this post!

[@TheSpritz0]

+Cheryl M You're prettier, Cheryl- seriously!!!

[@meee6836]

Miss Gaynor I adored your movies from when I too was a teen, your whole persona made me feel happy, it still does.

[@gerrynightingale9045]

*I 'clicked this because of the 'Beatle' connection...and then found myself drawn-in to the interview because of her words regarding her career 'in the Biz'...and then wanting to hear more!* ( *I'm 65 so she's quite a bit before my time in terms of 'Who I think is Hot' etc.* ) *To be in a 'lead-role' in "South Pacific"must've been a 'dream come true' for her given her age and previous experience...to be that young and know "People will still be watching this years from now, and they'll remember me! This is the 'chance of a lifetime' and I'm praying I'll get it!"* *You'd have to be pretty damn smart to realize "If I never do anything else again because of 'Pacific'...I still want that role"*

[@johnnymfan5065]

She was an incredible live performer. Such great singing and dancing. Susan Strasberg wrote that Marilyn did an extremely good, hilarious imitation of Mitzi.

[@therasheck]

"It takes two of them to be half a Jack" Now that's a woman who loves her man!

[@milels6917]

She said he didn’t die he passed away

[@paulsimpson4155]

Very with it very young in her outlook as well as her look ! She's lovely and down to earth !

[@peterrichards2548]

Paul Simpson 6

[@MrDaiseymay]

Personally, i think her youthfulness, has a heck of a lot to do with her very positive attitude to life. Her sense of fun, and acceptance of how life is. and can be.

[@lisastone4549]

A truly beautiful lady, in every sense. Talented, classy, honest, sweet and kind. Bravo, Mitzi! 😊

[@m.51373]

She is an amazing performer! Such talent!

[@LisaLGruman]

Still has the same voice. Loved hearing this and then seeing her at the end with her beloved late husband. Thanks, Miss Gaynor, for sharing your talents and gifts with us.

[@deborahlindsey6074]

South Pacific is my all time favorite movie. Love, love, love Mitzi.

[@Edyth_Hedd]

That was absolutely one of the most entertaining interviews I've ever watched. What a life.

[@armandito9735]

It just goes to show people what happens when you have good genetics,live a good life,take care of yourself and accept the things to come gracefully. She is a beautiful person in and out....GOD BLESS HER.

[@bebeveritas7306]

My mother played all Mitzi’s records when I was a little girl, loved her ever since! She’s one talented and classy lady. Still looking good too!what an amazing interview!

[@marilyncocozzatrillo1534]

Can I admire her any more than I do?! She’s marvelous!💕

[@AwesomeBeatles]

I have the original Ed Sullivan show with her and The Beatles on DVD.

[@juliaalyssandra373]

I love her voice even into her very old age sounds so fresh and vibrant

[@chelitang]

A beautiful woman, a great lady and one of a kind artist.

[@rubberdc]

What a wonderful lady Mitzi is . So eager to tell , so eager to be natural to us . This was such an interesting interview I wish it was longer .

[@govcalif]

hope she has many more years coming.

[@nemo227]

A real movie star; attractive, glamorous, a joy to watch.

[@jimkey920]

Such a wonderful woman. impossible not to love. So talented.

[@MrDaiseymay]

who would even try?

[@hermajesty52]

she was absolutely DARLING! so loveable. the genuine article.

[@hairyscotman1]

brilliant lady...sharp mind...very clever...

[@canasta59]

She looks fantastic. Whatever she's on, I'll have some.

[@hubs37]

john i'll have two of them as well.

[@ronnross9624]

John Lyttle

[@alainmichael]

This woman has a sharp memory, witty, funny, talented, and somuch more!

[@stevencohn39]

REMEMBER THE TV SPECIAL "MITZI ZINGS INTO SPRING" ? MAYBE 1974,5, I AS A VERY YOUNG BOY "FELL IN LOVE" ONE OF SEVERAL BOYHOOD CRUSHES.

[@carolynkingsley4421]

I loved her in South Pacific, her greatest role.

[@gulmerton2394]

Wow, she remembers all the things people said 50 years ago! It’s so interesting to listen to the golden era people telling their memories !

[@jimfling2128]

She was born to dance.. She thought her movies were only OK. I thought most were great. She used to introduce her new stage acts in Vancouver BC at a club called The Cave. I when to several of her openings there in the 1970's. A real showman and a force on the stage.

[@elissaschornstein5903]

She seems incredibly with it. Not just the face but also the personality considering her age.

[@Madelyn5454]

Beautiful talented lady ! Underated as a star!! Beautiful Makeup

[@joecassara6774]

Mitzi Gaynor was always my favorite going to the movies in the 50's and 60's. I would have seen her in Vegas too, but my brother failed to show up at my apt. when we suppose to go so we missed her show. Obviously her specials on TV were awesome plus she had a famous, great, costume designer helping too. They aren't making any stars like her anymore, sadly.

[@MrMick560]

my mother took me to see south pacific when i was about 12, i loved mitzi and the hair scene, and most of the movie, the bali hi part was magical to me and i loved where the red filter came in, it was something very special for those days.

[@stevehughes1510]

She's a very erudite survivor of Hollywood.............such a great and talented artist and so much more down to earth than some others........God bless her.

[@kathleenramsey2966]

She's such a pleasure to listen too. And I've got that South Pacific album with her on it. And I still can play that record.

[@hawktchr8]

She’s the kind of woman at 81 where you want to say WHAT does she eat? Do? How does she exercise besides being the dancer she was...gosh! Her mind!!! She clearly has no illnesses or diseases that happen to the elderly - dementia, Parkinson’s, etc. What a lucky woman! She is still alive. Would love to see an update.

[@ShogunHull]

I'VE ALWAYS LOVED MITZI GAYNOR...ALL MY LIFE. I met Mitzi with our mutual Friend~Guiseppe Battaglia..whom, ALSO, I Still Love...in his desert home one day. *GOD Bless That Wonderful Lady!!!!!*

[@eightinches6094]

For being 81 she looks excellent.

[@gossamerwings3632]

eight inches too much eye makeup tho' but her energy level is admirable, good health is the most important esp when ppl get older and she has it!!!

[@kiranjitKaur61]

She looks Perfect.

[@bonlevina5621]

What an amazing woman! I wish I'd looked her name up when it first came to me years ago. Perfect, though, that it popped into my mind, again, this morning. She is inspirational.

[@mikelezcurra810]

What a delightful and witty lady.

[@betsylawson2805]

What a complete doll... this is why everyone loves "Old Hollywood". Absolute talent!!! Style, grace, beauty...

[@WitoldBanasik]

Mitzi's Lazy number with Marilyn Monroe and Donald O'Connor in TNBLSB has been now for over 65 years a legendary performance and it will be forever !!!!!!

[@TheGearhead222]

She is one classy, timeless entertainer. How she animates the interview is simply magical-John in Texas

[@melrose795]

What a great and interesting interview.. Personality plus! I have enjoyed watching her dance on film...

[@maryjobush9431]

they broke the mold -- there is no talent like hers these days -- so grateful we were all blessed enough to see her movies and see her on stage -- bless her!

[@michaelgfrancisco4415]

A bit young in years, beautifully ripe with the sweetness of a vintage wine and so true to life. Carry on Mitzi into the sunset of life!

[@valerieatkins3373]

So Beautiful....Love The Old Movies....Aussie Huggs

[@mauricioduron3193]

Thank you! It is I who couldn't be happier and so am very grateful to have been able to enjoy these reminiscences of a legitimate Holywood professional. I always suspected that Mitzi would be as wonderful a person off-screen as she made us feel when she was on it.

[@jod6cindy]

Pure class. Warmth, humor, intelligence and CLASS. What a LOVELY woman.

[@dstuart2918]

Love her in interviews--such a great gal.