Ava Lavinia Gardner (December 24, 1922 – January 25, 1990) was an American actress during the Golden Age of Hollywood. She first signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1941 and appeared mainly in small roles until she drew critics’ attention in 1946 with her performance in Robert Siodmak’s film noir The Killers.
Gardner was discovered in 1941 after her brother-in-law, a photographer, displayed her portrait in his New York studio window. An MGM talent scout saw it, and she was quickly signed to a $50-a-week contract. For the first five years, she was virtually invisible. She appeared in over 15 films (including Shadow of the Thin Man and Du Barry Was a Lady) but usually as an uncredited “girl in the background” or “walk-on.” MGM put her through rigorous training to erase her North Carolina drawl, which was so thick that studio head Louis B. Mayer reportedly said, “She can’t act; she can’t talk; she’s terrific!”
Her career changed forever when she was loaned out to Universal for the film noir classic The Killers. Playing Kitty Collins, the sultry, double-crossing siren, she defined the “femme fatale” archetype. The image of her in the iconic one-strap black satin dress became legendary. Overnight, she was no longer just a “pretty face” on the lot; she was a major star. This success led to leading roles in films like The Hucksters (1947), starring opposite her childhood idol, Clark Gable.
Marketed by MGM as “The World’s Most Beautiful Animal,” Gardner was famous for her flawless bone structure and green eyes. Her 1940s signature style featured figure-flattering, tailored gowns that emphasized her 23-inch waist. For casual wear, she frequently wore white shirts and tea dresses with floral prints. She typically favored minimalist makeup and wore her dark hair in classic 1940s waves or shoulder-length curls.
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