Mitzi Gaynor RIP

09/10/2011 – Mitzi Gaynor – 2011 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards – Arrivals – Nokia Theatre – Los Angeles, CA, USA – Keywords: Orientation: Portrait Face Count: 1 – False – Photo Credit: Andrew Evans / PR Photos – Contact (1-866-551-7827) – Portrait Face Count: 1

Birth Name: Francisca Weissgerber

Date of Birth: September 4, 1931

Place of Birth: Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States

Date of Death: October 17, 2024

Place of Death: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: Hungarian, Austrian, possibly other

Mitzi Gaynor was an American actress, singer, and dancer. She starred in the films My Blue Heaven (1950), Take Care of My Little Girl, Golden Girl, We’re Not Married!, Bloodhounds of Broadway (1952), The I Don’t Care Girl, Down Among the Sheltering Palms, Three Young Texans, There’s No Business Like Show Business, The Birds and the Bees, Anything Goes, The Joker Is Wild, Les Girls, South Pacific, Happy Anniversary, Surprise Package, and For Love or Money.

Mitzi was the daughter of Pauline Catherine (Fisher), a dancer, and Henry Weissgerber/de Czanyi von Gerber, a violinist, cellist, and music director. Her father was born in Budapest, Hungary. Her mother was born in Missouri. Her step-brother was anti-war activist Donald W. Duncan, from her father’s remarriage. During her childhood, her family lived in Elgin, Illinois, and Detroit, Michigan, before moving to Hollywood, California. Her birth name is sometimes listed as Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber, but her Chicago birth certificate lists simply Francisca Weissgerber.

Mitzi was married to manager, talent agent, and public relations executive Jack Bean, until his death.

Mitzi’s paternal grandfather was named Mathew Weiss Gerber.

Mitzi’s paternal grandmother was named Francisca Decanyi.

Source: Birth record of Mitzi Gaynor – https://www.familysearch.org