Ava Gardner was an American actress best known for her roles in “The Killers,” “Mogambo,” and “The Night of the Iguana.” Born on December 24, 1922, in Grabtown, North Carolina, she became one of Hollywood’s most beautiful stars.
Personal and Family Life
Ava Lavinia Gardner was the daughter of Mary Elizabeth and Jonas Bailey Gardner and grew up on a tobacco farm. She had five siblings, and her family had a strong Southern influence on her upbringing. Ava’s striking looks were discovered after her photograph was showcased in her brother-in-law’s New York photo studio, which led her to sign with MGM at a young age.
Career Highlights
Despite her initial lack of acting experience, Ava rose to fame with roles in various films. She struggled with self-doubt and felt unsatisfied with Hollywood life, resulting in three failed marriages and her eventual move to Spain in 1955. Her notable performances included roles in films directed by John Ford and George Cukor, and she often used her beauty more than her acting skills until she found new directors who helped her shine.
Death and Legacy
Ava Gardner passed away at the age of 67 due to bronchial pneumonia on January 25, 1990, in Westminster, London. Her legacy remains as one of the most powerful and beautiful actresses in Hollywood history, admired for her talent and striking looks.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Bible: In the Beginning… | 1966-09-28 | Sarah |
| Calling Dr. Gillespie | 1942-08-01 | Student (uncredited) |
| The Snows of Kilimanjaro | 1952-10-08 | Cynthia Green |
| Earthquake | 1974-11-15 | Remy Royce-Graff |
| Seven Days in May | 1964-02-01 | Eleanor Holbrook |
| The Cassandra Crossing | 1976-12-18 | Nicole Dressler |
| Mogambo | 1953-09-23 | Eloise Y. Kelly |
| The Sun Also Rises | 1957-08-23 | Lady Brett Ashley |
| The Bribe | 1949-02-03 | Elizabeth Hintten |
| Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid | 1982-05-21 | (in “The Killers” / “The Bribe”) (archive footage) |
| The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean | 1972-12-18 | Lily Langtry |
| 55 Days at Peking | 1963-05-06 | Baroness Natalie Ivanoff |
| The Barefoot Contessa | 1954-09-29 | Maria Vargas |
| On the Beach | 1959-12-16 | Moira Davidson |
| The Killers | 1946-08-30 | Kitty Collins |
| The Night of the Iguana | 1964-08-06 | Maxine Faulk |
| One Touch of Venus | 1948-08-01 | Venus |
| Singapore | 1947-08-13 | Linda Grahame / Ann Van Leyden |
| Pandora and the Flying Dutchman | 1951-04-13 | Pandora Reynolds |