Clark Gable and Rita Hayworth were two defining stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, each leaving a distinctive mark on classic American cinema. Gable became known as the “King of Hollywood”, while Hayworth earned the image of one of the era’s most glamorous screen stars. Their careers included some of the most memorable films of the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Both experienced extraordinary fame, multiple marriages and lasting cultural influence, although their careers and personal journeys were remarkably different.
Clark Gable and Rita Hayworth Quick Bio
| Category | Clark Gable | Rita Hayworth |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | William Clark Gable | Margarita Carmen Cansino |
| Known As | Clark Gable | Rita Hayworth |
| Date of Birth | February 1, 1901 | October 17, 1918 |
| Age at Death | 59 years | 68 years |
| Birthplace | Cadiz, Ohio, USA | Brooklyn, New York City, USA |
| Date of Death | November 16, 1960 | May 14, 1987 |
| Nationality | American | American |
| Nickname | “The King of Hollywood,” “The King,” “Gabe,” “Pa” | “The Love Goddess” |
| Net Worth | Estimated $10 million at death, equivalent to about $100 million in today’s dollars; historical estimate | Estimated $10 million at death; historical estimate |
| Profession | Actor and film producer | Actress, dancer, singer and film producer |
| Famous For | Gone with the Wind, It Happened One Night, Mutiny on the Bounty, Red Dust, The Misfits | Gilda, Cover Girl, The Lady from Shanghai, You Were Never Lovelier, Pal Joey |
| Career | 1924–1960; roughly 37 years in film and stage entertainment | 1920s–1972; more than 60 films across her career |
| Major Breakthrough | Rose to major MGM stardom during the early 1930s | Became a major star in the 1940s, particularly after The Strawberry Blonde |
| Most Iconic Film | Gone with the Wind (1939) | Gilda (1946) |
| Academy Award | Won Best Actor for It Happened One Night (1934) | No Academy Award win |
| Height | 6 ft 0½ in (1.84 m) | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Weight | Not consistently documented; historical estimates vary | About 119 lb (54 kg), commonly reported estimate |
| Hair Color | Brown/dark brown | Auburn/red during her Hollywood career; naturally dark |
| Eye Color | Not consistently documented | Brown |
| Parents | William Henry “Will” Gable and Adeline Hershelman Gable | Eduardo Cansino and Volga Hayworth |
| Siblings | Minnie Bertha Gable Hornberger | Eduardo Cansino Jr. and Vernon Cansino |
| Family Background | Son of an Ohio farmer and oil-well driller | Born into a professional Spanish-American dancing family |
| Education | Left high school at 16; later trained in acting and theater | Primarily trained in professional dance from childhood; no major college education documented |
| Early Career | Worked various jobs before entering theater and later Hollywood | Began professional dancing as a child and entered films as Rita Cansino |
| Hollywood Studio | MGM became central to his rise as a leading man | Columbia Pictures became central to her Hollywood career |
| Notable Co-Stars | Vivien Leigh, Joan Crawford, Jean Harlow, Carole Lombard, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe | Glenn Ford, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Orson Welles, Tyrone Power, Frank Sinatra |
| Notable Films | Red Dust, It Happened One Night, Mutiny on the Bounty, Gone with the Wind, Mogambo, The Misfits | Only Angels Have Wings, The Strawberry Blonde, Cover Girl, Gilda, The Lady from Shanghai, Pal Joey |
| Marriages | 5 marriages | 5 marriages |
| First Spouse | Josephine Dillon | Edward C. Judson |
| Other Spouses | Maria Franklin Prentiss Lucas Langham, Carole Lombard, Sylvia Ashley, Kay Williams | Orson Welles, Prince Aly Khan, Dick Haymes, James Hill |
| Children | Judy Lewis and John Clark Gable | Rebecca Welles and Princess Yasmin Aga Khan |
| Famous Marriage | Carole Lombard | Orson Welles and Prince Aly Khan |
| Military Service | U.S. Army Air Forces; Major during World War II | No military service |
| Military Honors | Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and campaign medals | Not applicable |
| Hobbies/Interests | Acting, theater, outdoor life, automobiles and ranch life | Dance, music, fashion, acting and performance |
| @clarksgable | rita_hayworth | |
| Final Film | The Misfits, released after his death in 1961 | The Wrath of God (1972) |
| Death Cause | Coronary thrombosis following a heart attack | Complications associated with Alzheimer’s disease |
| Hollywood Legacy | Remembered as the “King of Hollywood” and one of classic cinema’s greatest leading men | Remembered as a Golden Age Hollywood icon and the star of Gilda |
| Hollywood Walk of Fame | Star awarded in 1960 | Star awarded in 1960 |
| American Film Institute Recognition | Ranked No. 7 among the greatest male screen legends | Ranked No. 19 among the greatest female stars |
| Career Highlight | Winning the Academy Award for It Happened One Night and starring in Gone with the Wind | Becoming an international star through Gilda and her major musical and dramatic roles |
| Overall Legacy | One of Hollywood’s most influential male movie stars | One of Hollywood’s most recognizable female stars and screen icons & More |
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