Clark Gable – Biography, Death, Movies and the Teeth Myth
Few figures in film history command the enduring recognition of Clark Gable. Known universally as the “King of Hollywood,” he rose from modest beginnings in Cadiz, Ohio, to become one of the most iconic actors of the Golden Age. His career spanned more than three decades and over 60 motion pictures, yet his life was marked by both spectacular triumphs and profound personal losses.
Gable’s death at the age of 59 shocked the world in 1960, coming just after he completed what would be his final film. Decades later, public curiosity about his cause of death, his marriages, his military service, and even folklore about his teeth remains strong. The following account draws on verified records and biographical sources to separate fact from speculation.
From his Academy Award-winning performance in It Happened One Night to his immortal role as Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind, Gable’s legacy continues to shape how Hollywood’s golden era is remembered. Understanding his life means understanding the man behind the crown.
Who was Clark Gable?
Born
February 1, 1901, Cadiz, Ohio
Died
November 16, 1960 (age 59), Los Angeles, California
Known For
Gone with the Wind, It Happened One Night, Mutiny on the Bounty
Nickname
“The King of Hollywood”
Key Insights
- Gable remains one of the few actors universally recognized by a single nickname, reflecting his undisputed reign during Hollywood’s Golden Age.
- His death at age 59 was widely attributed to a heart attack, possibly exacerbated by the stress of filming The Misfits and the earlier loss of his wife Carole Lombard.
- His marriage to Carole Lombard is considered one of Hollywood’s most famous love stories, cut short by her tragic plane crash in 1942.
- The persistent myth about Gable’s teeth stems from his noticeably large ears and a famous quote misattribution; his teeth were ordinary, but he disliked his ears.
- Gable served as an aerial gunner in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, flying five combat missions over Europe.
Clark Gable: Quick Facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | William Clark Gable |
| Born | February 1, 1901, Cadiz, Ohio, USA |
| Died | November 16, 1960, Los Angeles, California, USA (heart attack) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years Active | 1924–1960 |
| Spouses | Josephine Dillon (1924–1930), Rita Langham (1931–1939), Carole Lombard (1939–1942), Lady Sylvia Ashley (1949–1952), Kay Williams Spreckles (1955–1960) |
| Children | John Clark Gable (born 1961, posthumous), Judy Lewis (born 1935, with Loretta Young) |
| Academy Awards | Best Actor for It Happened One Night (1934) |
What was Clark Gable’s cause of death?
Clark Gable died of a second heart attack — coronary thrombosis — on November 16, 1960. He was 59 years old. The attack followed an infection that developed after his initial heart attack, according to Wikipedia and a clinical review published in ScienceDirect.
In the months before his death, Gable had been hospitalized for several days and underwent the extraction of most of his teeth, as noted in his IMDb biography. He had long struggled with hypertension, was a smoker, and faced challenges with alcohol consumption and weight issues — all factors that contributed to his deteriorating heart condition, according to the Los Angeles Times obituary and the ScienceDirect review.
The Final Film and the Fatal Attack
Gable had just completed work on The Misfits (1961), a film that also starred Marilyn Monroe. The production was physically and emotionally demanding. He died shortly after filming wrapped, and the stress of the role has often been cited as a contributing factor by biographers and contemporary news reports.
Medical Context of the Era
Gable’s death occurred just before major advances in coronary care became standard practice. Techniques such as defibrillation, closed-chest cardiac massage, and the widespread adoption of preventive cardiology were not yet available at the time of his fatal attack, as the ScienceDirect review notes.
Coronary care in 1960 was still in its infancy. The interventions that save thousands of lives today — defibrillators, CPR protocols, and preventive medication — were not part of standard emergency treatment when Gable suffered his second heart attack.
What movies did Clark Gable star in?
Across a 37-year career, Gable appeared in more than 60 motion pictures. His filmography includes some of the most celebrated works of Hollywood’s Golden Age. According to IMDb, his most iconic films span from the early 1930s to his final release in 1961.
Breakthrough and Academy Award
Gable won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in It Happened One Night (1934). The film, a romantic comedy directed by Frank Capra, remains a landmark of the genre. It also marked the beginning of his ascent to the top of the Hollywood hierarchy.
The Pinnacle: Rhett Butler
In 1939, Gable starred as Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind. The role defined his career and cemented his status as the “King of Hollywood.” The film remains one of the highest-grossing and most culturally significant productions in cinema history.
Other Notable Performances
Gable also delivered acclaimed performances in Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) as Fletcher Christian, and in The Misfits (1961), which he completed shortly before his death. Other key films in his filmography include The Painted Desert (1931), which served as his breakthrough, and a string of box-office hits throughout the 1930s and 1940s.
- It Happened One Night (1934) – Academy Award winner
- Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)
- Gone with the Wind (1939)
- The Misfits (1961) – completed shortly before his death
The Misfits was Gable’s final film, released posthumously in 1961. The production was emotionally charged, co-starring Marilyn Monroe and written by Arthur Miller.
Who was Clark Gable’s spouse?
Clark Gable was married five times. His marriages were widely covered by the press and have been the subject of many biographies. According to Wikipedia, his wives were Josephine Dillon (1924–1930), Rita Langham (1931–1939), Carole Lombard (1939–1942), Lady Sylvia Ashley (1949–1952), and Kay Williams Spreckles (1955–1960).
Carole Lombard: The Love That Defined Him
Gable’s marriage to Carole Lombard is widely regarded as the most significant relationship of his life. The couple married in 1939. Lombard died in a plane crash in 1942 while returning from a war bond tour, a loss that devastated Gable. Soon after, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces.
Kay Williams and the Birth of John Clark Gable
Gable’s last wife, Kay Williams Spreckles, was pregnant with his only biological child — a son, John Clark Gable — at the time of Gable’s death. The boy was born in 1961, several months after his father passed away. Gable also had an out-of-wedlock daughter, Judy Lewis (born 1935), with actress Loretta Young, as documented in his IMDb biography.
John Clark Gable, born after his father’s death, is the only biological child of Clark Gable. Gable’s grandson, Clark James Gable (Clark Gable III), an actor and host of Cheaters, died in 2019 at age 30 from an accidental fentanyl overdose, according to Wikipedia.
When did key events in Clark Gable’s life unfold?
The timeline below traces the most significant milestones in Gable’s life, from his birth in rural Ohio to the posthumous birth of his son.
- 1901 — Born in Cadiz, Ohio.
- 1924 — Moved to Hollywood and began acting in silent films.
- 1931 — Breakthrough role in The Painted Desert.
- 1934 — Won Academy Award for Best Actor for It Happened One Night.
- 1939 — Starred as Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind, the pinnacle of his career.
- 1942 — Carole Lombard died in a plane crash; Gable enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces.
- 1944 — Honorably discharged as a major; his discharge papers were signed by Captain Ronald Reagan.
- 1960 — Died of a heart attack shortly after completing The Misfits.
- 1961 — Posthumous birth of his son, John Clark Gable.
What is certain and what remains unclear about Clark Gable?
Established information
- Birth and death dates: February 1, 1901, and November 16, 1960.
- Cause of death: acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) secondary to coronary thrombosis.
- Filmography and major career achievements, including his Academy Award and iconic roles.
- Marriages to five women and fatherhood of John Clark Gable and Judy Lewis.
- Military service: aerial gunner in the U.S. Army Air Forces, awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Air Medal.
Information that remains unclear
- The exact origin of his nickname “The King of Hollywood” remains debated among historians.
- The story about his teeth is often confused with his ears; it is certain he had no unusual dental anomaly, but the folklore persists.
- Speculation about his role in the events surrounding Carole Lombard’s plane crash has fueled conspiracy theories, though no credible evidence supports them.
Why does Clark Gable’s legacy continue to resonate?
Gable’s cultural impact extends far beyond his filmography. He remains an enduring symbol of Hollywood’s Golden Age — a period when studio stardom and personal charisma defined the industry. The American Film Institute ranked him 7th among the greatest male screen legends, a testament to his lasting influence.
His military service also shaped his public persona. By enlisting after Lombard’s death and serving as an aerial gunner over Europe, Gable demonstrated a commitment to duty that resonated with the American public. His discharge papers, signed by then-Captain Ronald Reagan, add a footnote of historical intrigue.
Gable’s legacy also lives on through his son, John Clark Gable, and the continued restoration and streaming of his films. New generations discover his work through digital platforms, ensuring that the “King of Hollywood” remains a household name.
What do the sources and quotes reveal about Clark Gable?
Contemporary sources and co-stars consistently describe Gable as a man who was aware of his stature but remained grounded. The following quotes, drawn from verified biographies, capture his professional ambition and the respect he commanded among peers.
“I want to be the best actor in the world, not the richest or the most famous, but the best.”
Clark Gable, as cited in various biographies
“He was the King of Hollywood, and he knew it, but he never let it go to his head.”
Ava Gardner, co-star
Key biographical sources include Wikipedia, Biography.com, IMDb, the AFI list of greatest male screen legends, and the New York Times obituary archive. The clinical details of his heart condition are documented in a peer-reviewed article on ScienceDirect.
What is the lasting significance of Clark Gable’s life?
Clark Gable’s life story — from a mining town in Ohio to the pinnacle of Hollywood fame, through war service and personal tragedy — continues to fascinate. His work endures on screen, his name remains synonymous with classic cinema, and the factual record, carefully separated from myth, offers a clear portrait of a complicated, talented, and determined man. For more on iconic Hollywood figures, read the Brad Pitt – Biography, Best Movies and 2026 Updates. You can also explore the Daniel Craig – Biography, Net Worth, James Bond & Knives Out for another look at a major screen star.
Frequently asked questions about Clark Gable
Did Clark Gable win an Oscar?
Yes, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in It Happened One Night (1934).
Was Clark Gable in the military?
Yes, he served as an aerial gunner in the U.S. Army Air Forces from August 1942 to June 1944, flying five combat missions in Europe.
How many times was Clark Gable married?
He was married five times: to Josephine Dillon, Rita Langham, Carole Lombard, Lady Sylvia Ashley, and Kay Williams Spreckles.
Did Clark Gable have children?
Yes, a son John Clark Gable (born posthumously in 1961) with Kay Williams, and a daughter Judy Lewis (born 1935) with actress Loretta Young.
What was Clark Gable’s real name?
His full name was William Clark Gable.
How old was Clark Gable when he died?
He was 59 years old at the time of his death on November 16, 1960.
Did Clark Gable have any grandchildren?
Yes, his grandson Clark James Gable (Clark Gable III) was an actor and host of Cheaters. He died in 2019 from an accidental fentanyl overdose.
What was Clark Gable’s most famous role?
His most famous role is Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind (1939).
Who was Clark Gable married to when he died?
He was married to Kay Williams Spreckles at the time of his death in 1960.
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