Ava Gardner
ActingAbout Ava Gardner
Ava Lavinia Gardner (December 24, 1922 – January 25, 1990) was a renowned American actress and one of the most iconic stars of Hollywood's Golden Age. Born on December 24, 1922, in Grabtown, North Carolina, she grew up in a rural setting before being discovered by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) in 1941. Initially cast in minor roles, her breakthrough came with the film noir classic The Killers (1946), which established her as a leading lady. Gardner's career flourished in the 1950s with notable performances in films like Mogambo (1953), for which she received an Academy Award nomination, The Barefoot Contessa (1954), and The Night of the Iguana (1964). Known for her beauty and talent, she worked with some of the most celebrated directors and actors of her time. Off-screen, Gardner's personal life attracted significant attention, including her marriages to Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw, and Frank Sinatra. She spent her later years in Spain and London, continuing to act until the mid-1980s. Ava Gardner passed away on January 25, 1990, in London, leaving behind a legacy as one of Hollywood's most enduring legends.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Ava Gardner reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Ava Gardner's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 60% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Ava Gardner remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Rat Pack, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Ava Gardner Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Ava Gardner's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Ava Gardner.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Kennedy, Sinatra and the Mafia | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2022 | Rat Pack | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2018 | Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood | Self (archive footage) | Average | Similar → |
| 2018 | Ava Gardner, the Gypsy of Hollywood | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2017 | Chavela | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2013 | Fallout | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2010 | All Night Long | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2010 | Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff | Pandora Reynolds / Maria Vargas (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2006 | De Madrid a la Luna | Self (archive footage) | Average | Similar → |
| 1998 | Frank Sinatra: The Voice of the Century | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1994 | That's Entertainment! III | (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid | (in "The Killers" / "The Bribe") (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1977 | The Sentinel | Helen Logan | Average | Similar → |
| 1976 | The Cassandra Crossing | Nicole Dressler | Average | Similar → |
| 1974 | Earthquake | Remy Royce-Graff | Average | Similar → |
| 1974 | That's Entertainment! | (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean | Lily Langtry | Average | Similar → |
| 1968 | Mayerling | Empress Elisabeth of Austria | Average | Similar → |
| 1966 | The Bible: In the Beginning... | Sarah | Hit | Similar → |
| 1965 | The Love Goddesses | (Archive Footage) | Average | Similar → |
| 1964 | The Night of the Iguana | Maxine Faulk | Hit | Similar → |
| 1964 | On the Trail of the Iguana | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1964 | Seven Days in May | Eleanor Holbrook | Hit | Similar → |
| 1963 | 55 Days at Peking | Baroness Natalie Ivanoff | Hit | Similar → |
| 1963 | La Rabbia | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1959 | On the Beach | Moira Davidson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | The Naked Maja | Maria Teresa, duchess of Alba, nicknamed Cayetana | Average | Similar → |
| 1957 | The Little Hut | Lady Susan Ashlow | Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | The Barefoot Contessa | Maria Vargas | Hit | Similar → |
| 1953 | Knights of the Round Table | Guinevere | Average | Similar → |
| 1953 | Mogambo | Eloise Y. Kelly | Average | Similar → |
| 1953 | The Band Wagon | Ava Gardner (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | Show Boat | Julie LaVerne | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | Pandora and the Flying Dutchman | Pandora Reynolds | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | East Side, West Side | Isabel Lorrison | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | The Great Sinner | Pauline Ostrovsky | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | The Bribe | Elizabeth Hintten | Average | Similar → |
| 1948 | One Touch of Venus | Venus | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | The Hucksters | Jean Ogilvie | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | The Killers | Kitty Collins | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | Maisie Goes to Reno | Gloria Fullerton | Average | Similar → |
| 1944 | 3 Men in White | Jean Brown | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Lost Angel | Hat Check Girl (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Du Barry Was a Lady | Perfume Girl (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Reunion in France | Marie, Parisian shopgirl (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Calling Dr. Gillespie | Student (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Kid Glove Killer | Car Hop (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | This Time for Keeps | Girl in Car Lighting Cigarette (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | H.M. Pulham, Esq. | Young Socialite (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Shadow of the Thin Man | Passerby at Racetrack (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
Ava Gardner - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Ava Gardner?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Ava Gardner is "Rat Pack" with a rating of 9.0/10.
How many movies has Ava Gardner acted in?
Ava Gardner has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Ava Gardner?
Other notable films include "Kennedy, Sinatra and the Mafia", "Frank Sinatra: The Voice of the Century", and "Lost Angel".