William Clark Gable, known to many simply as Clark Gable, was a highly respected American film actor who earned the title “The King of Hollywood”.
During his illustrious career spanning 37 years, he acted in more than 60 films of various genres.
For three decades, Gable was a leading figure in the film industry, captivating audiences with his talent and charm.
contour
- Full name: William Clark Gable
- Stage name: Clark Gable
- Date of birth: February 1, 1901
- Age: 59.
- Birthplace: Cadiz, Ohio, USA
- Country: United States
- Occupation: Professional film actor
- Height: 1.85 m
- Parents: Adeline Herschelman, William Henry Gable
- Brothers and sisters: None
- Spouses: Josephine Dillon, Maria Franklin Prentiss Lucas Langham, Carol Lombard, Sylvia Ashley and Kay Williams
- Children: John Clark Gable, Judy Lewis
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $100 million
early life
Gable was born in Cadiz, Ohio in 1901. His father was an oil driller and farmer who had a great influence on his upbringing.
Tragically, his mother died when he was still an infant. Despite these challenges, Gable unexpectedly became interested in acting after watching a play, which led him to begin pursuing his passion by taking unpaid roles with a theater company.
However, his dream was put on hold when his stepmother died and he had to assist his father in the oil fields of Oklahoma.
educate
Clark Gable decided to leave high school at the age of 16, and there is no evidence that he continued his formal education.
However, his life changed when he met actress Josephine Dillon, who took him under her wing and became his mentor.
Under her guidance, Gable honed his acting skills, paving the way for a successful career on Broadway and later in Hollywood.
His determination and talent ultimately made him one of the most iconic actors of our time.
Profession
For over thirty years, Clark Gable has been an iconic figure in the entertainment industry.
Although he was initially rejected because of his ear problems, which the producers thought were unsuitable for the lead role, Gable persisted and eventually landed a role in a Broadway play, which led to his success.mechanical” in 1928.
Soon after, MGM signed him and his career soared, with a string of successful films in the 1930s that solidified his superstar status.
During this period, he achieved significant success, including “It Happened Overnight” (1934) starring in the epic drama “Mutiny on the Bounty” (1935).
Clark Gable in the filmGone with the Wind” cemented his place in film history and catapulted him to stardom.
Despite the success of this film, Gable continued to showcase his acting prowess in a variety of film genres throughout the 1940s and 1950s.
He appeared in more than 60 films and was known for his undeniable charm, virility and charming on-screen chemistry with leading ladies such as Jean Harlow and Carole Lombard (whom he later married).
In recognition of his contribution to classic American cinema, the American Film Institute named Gable the seventh greatest male star.
Awards and nominations
- Oscar (1): Best Actor (1935, It Happened One Night)
- Oscars (2): Best Actor (1936, Mutiny on the Bounty)
- Best Actor (1940), Gone with the Wind
- Ballon d’Or (2): (These awards did not come until later in his career)
- Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy (1960) for But Not for Me
- Best Actor, Musical or Comedy (1959) for Teacher’s Pet
Personal life
Known for his iconic roles in classic films such as “Gone with the Wind” and”One night standClark Gable was not only a talented actor, but also a well-known Hollywood heartthrob.
He was married five times in his life, to women from different backgrounds including his acting coach Josephine Dillon, socialite Maria Langham, actress Carole Lombard who tragically died in a plane crash, British model Sylvia Ashley and actress Kay Williams.
Gable had two children, John Clark Gable and Judy Lewis. After the death of his beloved wife, Carole Lombard, Gable joined the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.
Filmography
- It Happened One Night (1934): Gable won his only Best Actor Oscar for his performance in this screwball comedy opposite Claudette Colbert.
- Mutiny on the Bounty (1935): Gable’s performance as Fletcher Christian in this historical drama earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
- Gone with the Wind (1939): Gable’s most iconic role is undoubtedly Rhett Butler in this epic Civil War drama, which remains the highest-grossing film of all time, adjusted for inflation.
- San Francisco (1936): This disaster film was the highest-grossing film of 1936 and starred Gable and Spencer Tracy.
- Saratoga (1937): This romantic drama is notable for being the last film Jean Harlow made before her untimely death.
- The Intolerable (1938): This screwball comedy was Gable’s final film with frequent collaborator Myrna Loy.
- The Misfits (1961): Gable’s final film role was in this drama with Marilyn Monroe, Montgomery Clift and Eli Wallach.
net worth
Legendary Hollywood actor Clark Gable included his first wife, Josephine Dillon, in his will, leaving her a portion of his Hollywood fortune.
However, the bulk of his $100 million estate was left to his last wife, Kay. This generous act of distributing assets to loved ones reflects Gable’s thoughtfulness and care for the important people in his life.
