Biography Ava Gardner

Ava Lavinia Gardner (December 24, 1922 – January 25, 1990) was an American actress.

From "Show Boat", a 1951 American musical romantic drama film, based on the stage musical of the same name, Ava Gardner's own singing voice is heard on the soundtrack album but not in the actual film, where her singing was dubbed by Annette Warren. Her original rendition of "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" appeared in the documentary film "That's Entertainment! III" and is considered by some to be superior to the version used in the film. In an autobiography written not long before her death, Gardner reported she was still receiving royalties from the release. MGM released a shellac, 10" 78rpm and a vinyl, 7" 45rpm with Bill b/w Can't Help Lovin' That Man.

She was signed to a contract by MGM Studios in 1941 and appeared in small roles until she drew attention with her performance in The Killers (1946). She became one of Hollywood's leading actresses, considered one of the most beautiful women of her day. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her work in Mogambo (1953).

She appeared in several high-profile films from the 1950s to 1970s, including Bhowani Junction (1956), On the Beach (1959), The Night of the Iguana (1964), Earthquake (1974), and The Cassandra Crossing (1976). Gardner continued to act on a regular basis until 1986, four years before her death of pneumonia, at age 67, in 1990.

She is listed as one of the American Film Institute's greatest stars of all time.

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