Trivia about Clark:
It was at Gable's 36th birthday that Judy Garland sang "Dear Mr. Gable: You Made Me Love You."
Gable's first two wives - Josephine Dillon and Maria Franklin Gable (aka Ria Langham) - were 14 and 17 years older than he was, respectively.
1942: He enlisted in the army in honor of his late wife, Carole Lombard. She had been killed in a plane crash while on tour selling war bonds. Joined the Army Air Corps during the Second World War, and was commissioned an officer with service number 565390. Rose to the rank of captain and served primarily in Public Affairs, making training films and performing public relations visits to soldiers and airmen in Europe. Also trained as an aerial gunner, he flew 5 combat missions with the 8th Air Force's 351st Bombardment Group (Heavy).
When he was born he was mistakenly listed as a female on his birth certificate.
Pictured on one of four 25ยข US commemorative postage stamps issued on 23 March 1990 honoring classic films released in 1939. The stamp features Gable and Vivien Leigh as Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind (1939). The other films honored were Beau Geste (1939), Stagecoach (1939) and The Wizard of Oz (1939).
Gable was dyslexic, a fact which didn't emerge until several years after his death. Gable became an avid reader. He would never allow himself to be photographed reading on film sets, fearing it would undermine his macho screen image.
Both parents were of German ancestry.
1933: Underwent cosmetic surgery on his ears and teeth.
In the 1950s Gable joined Walt Disney, John Wayne, James Stewart and other politically conservative entertainers to "assist" the House Un-American Activities Committee in its efforts to find alleged Communist infiltration in the film industry.
Watched very little television except boxing matches.
Had a fear of flying, and made all long journeys across America by train.
Proposed his headstone should read: "Back to silents."
Clark Gable
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For a full biography of Clark Gable, his career and family.