Clark Gable
William Clark Gable (February 1, 1901 – November 16, 1960) was an American film actor. Often referred to as the "King of Hollywood", he had roles in more than 60 motion pictures in a variety of genres during a career that lasted 37 years, three decades of which was as a leading man. He was named the seventh greatest male movie star of classic American cinema by the American Film Institute.
Clark Gable | |
|---|---|
Gable in a publicity portrait in 1940 | |
| Born | William Clark Gable February 1, 1901 Cadiz, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | November 16, 1960 (aged 59) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Burial place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California, U.S. |
| Other names | The King of Hollywood |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1918–1960 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses | Maria Langham
(m. 1931; div. 1939) |
| Children | 2, including Judy Lewis |
| Relatives | Clark James Gable (grandson) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1942–1947 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 351st Bomb Group 18th AAF Base Unit |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal American Campaign Medal European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal |
| Signature | |
Gable won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the romantic comedy It Happened One Night (1934). He was further Oscar-nominated for his roles as Fletcher Christian in the drama Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), and Rhett Butler in the historical romance drama Gone with the Wind (1939). He received Golden Globe Award nominations for his comedic roles in Teacher's Pet (1958), and But Not for Me (1959). He also starred in Call of the Wild (1935), Key to the City (1950), and Mogambo (1953). His final on-screen role was as an aging cowboy in The Misfits (1961).
Gable was one of the most consistent box-office performers in the history of Hollywood, appearing on Quigley Publishing's annual Top Ten Money Making Stars Poll sixteen times. He appeared opposite many of the most popular actresses of their time. He frequently acted alongside Joan Crawford, Myrna Loy, Jean Harlow, Lana Turner, Norma Shearer and Ava Gardner. Gable died of a heart attack at the age of 59.