Mitzi Gaynor, American actor and singer, dies aged 93

South Pacific star Mitzi Gaynor, who appeared in musicals with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly, has died at the age of 93.

Gaynor died of natural causes in Los Angeles on Thursday morning local time, according to a statement from her managers.

She was one of the last survivors of the so-called Golden Age of Hollywood, with her entertainment career in film and theatre spanning more than eight decades.

Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber, known as Mitzi, was born in Chicago in 1931.

Gaynor's entertainment career in film and theatre spanned more than eight decades.  (AP Photo: Mark J. Terrill)

She was part of a musically inclined family and started singing and dancing at a young age, taking ballet and tap lessons from the age of 7.

In a 2003 interview, Gaynor said she had a clear memory of her stage debut.

She had neglected to use the bathroom before a dance school recital and when she faced the audience, a puddle formed on the stage.

"I ran kicking and screaming off the stage, but I got a huge applause, so I dried off and put some lipstick on," she said.

"After the next girl did a hula with batons and slipped on the wet floor, I went out and said, 'I'm ok now, can I do it?' and I got cheers."

Gaynor is best known for her role as Nellie Forbush in the film South Pacific, but also for her appearance in notable films including We're Not Married! and There's No Business Like Show Business.

South Pacific received three Academy Award nominations and won for best sound, while Gaynor was a best actress nominee for a Golden Globe.

Gaynor during the filming of the musical South Pacific in 1958. (Getty Images: Screen Archives)

Sinatra helped Gaynor land the role of love-sick nurse Nellie, which had been eagerly sought by Hollywood stars.

She was filming for her biggest scene with Sinatra in the musical The Joker Is Wild, when she was asked to audition for lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II in a one-day opportunity.

Sinatra told her he would change the shooting schedule for Gaynor, allowing her to land the role in South Pacific and was cast opposite Rossano Brazzi.

Gaynor shifted her focus from film to television after South Pacific and made early appearances on Donald O'Connor's variety series Here Comes Donald and on CBS's The Jack Benny Hour.

She was the only woman to guest star alongside Sinatra, Crosby, Dean Martin and Jimmy Durante on the ABC's The Frank Sinatra Timex Show special in 1959.

Gaynor also starred in several television variety specials, many received nominations and won for Emmy Awards.

Gaynor reinvented herself as a performing entertainer late in her career, working with her husband and manager Jack Bean.

She was a mainstay in Las Vegas for several years, performing in weeks-long residencies for more than a decade at the Flamingo Hotel and the Riviera Hotel.

She starred in her own musical that was a big draw in theatres across Australia, Canada, the US and UK.

When touring with a full orchestra, dancers and backstage personnel became too difficult and expensive, Gaynor cut back the production, eventually making it a one-woman show.

Gaynor shifted between film, television and then live performances throughout her career. (Getty Images: Screen Archives)

They continued touring every year until 2002, taking a hiatus due to her husband's illness.

Gaynor said she loved touring in a 2003 interview

"We go back to the same places, it's like visiting friends," she said.

"After the show, people come backstage to the dressing room, and we renew friendships.

"We send out almost 3,000 Christmas cards every year."

Gaynor's long-time managers Rene Reyes and Shane Rosamonda thanked her friends and fans.

"Your love, support and appreciation meant so very much to her and was a sustaining gift in her life," they said in a joint statement.

"Off stage, she was a vibrant and extraordinary woman, a caring and loyal friend, and a warm, gracious, very funny and altogether glorious human being."

AP