David Nezelek
Cibbuano
TyronneAva Gardner
December 28th 2007 00:14
Stunning Gravity
Ava Gardner
When I lose my temper, honey, you can't find it any place." - Ava Gardner
The word bombshell was invented just for a woman like Ava Gardner. Smart and sassy this heartbreaker took no prisoners to become one of the top female sex symbols of any era. Packing a voluptuous set of curves that never quit and a sensual charisma that tempted most of the global population, this silver screen beauty set the world on fire.
"I must have seen more sunrises than any other actress in the history of Hollywood." - Ava Gardner
The exploitation begins
In 1922 Ava was born into poverty as one of seven children. Already a head turner while still a teen with feline green eyes and long brunette hair she was discovered when a glamour photo in a shop window was noticed by an MGM talent scout.
Dressed to kill
Quiting Christian college to make her way for Hollywood in 1941 she immediately had to do extensive voice work to control her thick southern drawl. Within a year she married one of the biggest little stars in Mickey Rooney. 19 years old and married to industry elite, there union ended quickly because of Mickey’s loose monogamy.
Ava with her first two husbands
Dating the likes of Howard Hughes and marrying music legend Artie Shaw in 1946, her tumultuous personal life didn’t hindering her gradual rise to star status. After a string bit parts and non speaking roles it was that same year she entered the public imagination as Kitty Collins in The Killers opposite Lee Marvin and Burt Lancaster.
The image steams up
Divorcing Shaw within 12 months, the now wiser and hardened Ava played the field before settling on the already taken Frank Sinatra. After the golden tonsils left his wife Nancy the two were wed in 1951. The often volcanic marriage ended six years later.
Ava and the Chairman of the Board
During this time she continued to work steadily and in 1953 was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in John Ford’s Mogambo with Clarke Gable. Appearing in Snows of Kilamnjaro, Show Boat and Lone Star just prior to taking on the job.
If you got it, flaunt it!
The Barefoot Countessa and The Sun Also Rises followed amongst others like the Australian set and filmed on location On the Beach. In the early 1960’s she sustained proof of her talents with great turns in 7 Days in May and 55 Days at Peking.
"I have only one rule in acting -- trust the director and give him heart and soul." - Ava Gardner
Peek-a-boo
In 1964 she reached what many consider the highpoint of her skills as a Tennessee Williams aging temptress on The Night of the Iguana. Again she was an Oscar Nominee.
Ava with Richard Burton for Iguana
Moving to England in 1968, later notable parts include The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean, Earthquake, The Sentinel and Permission to Kill. Ava’s last hurrah came with a recurring character on the soapy Knots Landing.
In 1990 Ava Gardner died of pneumonia after years battling Emphysema, her final words were “I’m tired.”
"I wish to live until 150 years old but the day I die, I wish it to be with a cigarette in one hand and a glass of whiskey in the other." - Ava Gardner
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