The movies' most charismatic actor died of a heart attack at 59 in 1960 shortly after co-starring with Marilyn Monroe in "The Misfits."
Although proclaimed King of Hollywood when under contract to MGM, Gable may not have been a great actor but he certainly had charisma.
He was testosterone incarnate, heaven on a stick like movie star before or since. Women wanted to bed him; men wanted to be him. He resonated masculinity; it was in his face, voice, body language, and charming grin. All this without the physique of Schwarzenegger. He didn't need it.
At six-foot-one, 180 pounds and big ears Gable was handsome in his own rugged way. Certainly not pretty boy a la Robert Taylor or Tyrone Power. He was self-effacing and somewhat bemused by his acting career. He would prefer to have been a big-game hunter, or professional athlete.
He held interviews at his ranch in Encino, a Los Angeles suburb, sitting on a veranda overlooking his stables, enjoying a drink he had poured himself. He disliked talking about himself, but loved to discuss his work, sports and, above all, women.
Gable was a shameless womaniser. He loved women and seduced many more than his share. He married five times. His first wife, Josephine Dillon, was 12 years his senior and his drama coach who guided him to Hollywood.
The marriage dissolved after six years and in 1931 he married actress Rhea Langham (four years), followed by the love of his life -- actress Carole Lombard -- who died in a 1942 air crash during a war bond tour.
It was a distraught Gable who insisted on visiting the crash site, then promptly joined the Army. He was to marry two more blondes, socialite Sylvia Ashley (three years) and finally Kay Spreckles, with whom he spent his final five years.
Spreckles bore him a son, John Clark. Gable also sired a daughter, Judy Lewis, by actress Loretta Young, who died last year.
Gable's impact was instant and impressive both on and off the screen. Rooms hushed when he entered. Men became tongue-tied. Women blushed. Yet Gable looked people square in the eye.
He was the ultimate professional. During the making of "Teacher's Pet" with Doris Day, Gable was always first on the set in wardrobe, makeup, and his lines perfect.
When actor, Nick Adams was an hour late Gable, sitting in a camp chair, signalled the cocky young actor to his side. "Nick," he said, "this is unacceptable. If I can make it on time, so can you. I suggest you get here when you're supposed to."
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