Happy Birthday Ava Gardner (1922-1990)

One of my favorite actresses, Ava Gardner has a birthday today on Christmas Eve. She would have been 90 had she still been alive. She had one of the most impressive careers of any actress, classic or modern. She began with a lot of uncredited roles around 1941 including one in The Shadow of the Thin Man. Maisie Goes To Reno in 1944 was one of her first credited roles. But it was in 1946 for the film noir classic, The Killers that put her on the map. Her turn as Kitty Collins was amazing. Afterward, the roles came pouring in. The Hucksters, One Touch Of Venus, Pandora, My Forbidden Past, Show Boat, Mogambo, The Barefoot Contessa, and then some strong performances in the 60's to wind down her career. Such as The Night of the Iguana, Seven Days in May and 55 Days at Peking. She continued to act through-out the 70's and 80's as well. Happy Birthday Ava!