William Clark Gable was born on February 1, 1901
in Cadiz, OH. One of Hollywood's most popular leading men,
Clark Gable was nominated for three Best Actor Oscars and appeared
in over 70 films from 1924 until his death in 1960. He got
his nickname "The King" when he won a popularity
poll in 1936 and The New York Daily News crowned him "King
of Hollywood". (Incidently, Myrna Loy received the honor for
the
women and was crowned queen at the same mock ceremony). Clark
Gable was known for his portrayals of rough, masterful, romantic
heroes.
Gable was at the height of his career during the 1930's, appearing in some of
the most popular movies of that era, including "Red
Dust" (1932), "It Happened
One
Night" (1934, Academy Award), "Mutiny on
the Bounty" (1935), "San Fransisco" (1936),
"Saratoga" (1937), and "Gone
With The
Wind" (1939).
In 1939, Gable enjoyed a storybook romance and marriage to actress Carole
Lombard. His 3rd marriage. Tragedy struck 3 years later, however, when she died
in
a
plane
crash.
The distraught
Gable withdrew from his career and enlisted in the Army Air Corps. Starting out
as an aerial gunner during World War II, Gable rose through the ranks and retired
as a Major. He served for only 2 years.
For his decorated combat service, Gable returned to the screen in 1945 with a
hero's image. In the filming of "The Misfits", Gable co-starred with Marilyn
Monroe;
this would be the last film either of them made. Clark insisted on performing
his own stunts during the making of the film, even after Doctors warned him that
he was suffering from a heart disorder. Before the film hit the theaters, Gable
had a heart attack. Reportedly, Gable turned the page of a book he was reading,
and died.
William Clark Gable died on November 16, 1960. Just four short months later,
on
March
20,
1961,
Clark's
fifth
wife Kay Spreckels, gave birth to the son Clark
had always longed
for, John
Clark Gable.
Gable alos had a daughter, Judy Lewis born 1935.
She was the result of an affair with actress Loretta Young
begun on the
set of "The Call of the Wild" (1935).
Famous Quotes
" Good morning. Remember me? I'm the man you slept on last night." — as
Peter Warne in "It Happened One Night".
" From now on they'll spell mutiny with my name." —as Fletcher
Christian in "Mutiny On The Bounty".
