Clark Gable: biography

Clark Gable was known as the King of Hollywood and he still remains one of the greatest male stars of all time. He effortlessly portrayed the man other men would like to be like, and women wanted to be with.

Beginnings

Clark Gable was born William Gable on February 1, 1901, but was nicknamed Clark as a kid. Even though the young Gable learned to love hunting and repairing cars, he also loved language and was inspired to become an actor at the age of 17, after seeing a play.

Career

Beginnings at Hollywood In 1924 Gable moved to Hollywood where he found work as an extra, while also working on the stage. In 1930 he was offered a contract with MGM and after appearing in the low budget 'The Painted Desert' fan mail for the actor started pouring in. MGM realised he was potentially a big star and gave him more and better parts opposite Joan Crawford in 'Dance, Fools, Dance' (1931), ' A Free Soul'(1931) opposite Norma Shaerer and 'Possessed' (1931).
Breakthrough The film 'Red Dust' (1932) paired Gable with Jean Harlow for the first time. Their chemistry lit up the screen and made them both into the biggest stars of their time. They were paired together again in 'Hold Your Man' (1933), 'China Seas' (1935), 'Wife vs Secretary (1936) and 'Saratoga' (1937). Gable was lent to Columbia by MGM to make a small comedy called 'I Happened One Night' (1934) opposite Claudette Colbert. The movie was an enormous success at the box office and earned Gable an Oscar. Moving on to epic proportions In 1939 Clark Gable reluctantly agreed to play the role of Rhett Butler in 'Gone With the Wind'. It became one of his most iconic roles. After serving in the US Army Air Corps during the war, Gable returned to making pictures but he was not the big star he had been before the war. He still enjoyed successes, most notably in 'Mogambo' (1953), a remake of 'Red Dust' opposite Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly, and in 'The Misfits' opposite Marilyn Monroe. Gable died in 1960 after suffering a heart attack.

Achievements

Clark Gable received an Oscar for his role in 'It Happened One Night' (1934). He also received an Oscar nomination for 'Mutiny on the Bounty' (1935) and 'Gone with the Wind' (1939).