Eva Gabor

Eva Gabor – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Learn about Eva Gabor (1919–1995) — Hungarian-American actress, socialite, and icon. Explore her journey from Budapest to Hollywood, her roles in TV and film, her personality, and her memorable quotes.

Introduction

Eva Gabor (born Éva Gábor on February 11, 1919 – died July 4, 1995) was a Hungarian-American actress, singer, and socialite best known for her role as Lisa Douglas on the sitcom Green Acres (1965–1971).

She also lent her voice to beloved Disney characters—Duchess in The Aristocats and Miss Bianca in The Rescuers series.

Beyond acting, she was active in business (with lines in wigs, beauty, fashion) and maintained a glamorous public persona.

This article explores her life, career highs and lows, her character, and quotes that capture her wit and outlook.

Early Life and Family

Eva Gabor was born in Budapest, Hungary on February 11, 1919, to Jolie Gabor (née Janka Tilleman), a trained jeweler, and Vilmos Gábor, a soldier.

She was the youngest of three sisters; her elder sisters were Magda Gabor and Zsa Zsa Gabor, both of whom also became public figures in acting and social life.

Her parents were from Hungarian Jewish families.

While still in Hungary, she studied music, ballet, and acting, and spent some time at Swiss boarding schools. (Some sources note her training in those arts during youth.)

At a young age she had ambitions in performing arts—which later shaped her career.

Youth, Move to the U.S. & Early Career

Eva Gabor married young—at 18—to Swedish osteopath Dr. Eric Drimmer in 1937, and soon thereafter emigrated to the United States.

Once in the U.S., she began taking film and stage roles. Her first U.S. film credit was Forced Landing (1941).

In the 1940s and 1950s she appeared in a string of bit parts and supporting roles—The Last Time I Saw Paris, Artists and Models, My Man Godfrey, Gigi, and It Started with a Kiss, among others.

She also had her own talk show, The Eva Gabor Show (1953–1954).

While many roles were modest, she gradually built a recognizable public image, particularly in the 1950s and ’60s, combining glamour, charm, and wit.

Major Breakthrough: Green Acres and Beyond

Eva’s most famous role came in 1965, when she was cast as Lisa Douglas in the rural sitcom Green Acres, opposite Eddie Albert as her city-bred husband Oliver Wendell Douglas. The show ran until 1971.

Her comedic timing, accent, and screen presence made her character memorable and beloved by audiences.

In addition to live-action roles, she voiced characters in animated films:

• The Aristocats (1970) – Duchess (European accent)

• The Rescuers (1977) and The Rescuers Down Under (1990) – Miss Bianca

She also remained active on television, in game shows (e.g. Match Game), guest appearances, and occasional theater roles.

Later in life, she launched a fashion collection with designer Luis Estévez and became involved in beauty/fashion business ventures.

Her public persona combined glamour, cosmopolitan flair, and an always-present polish.

Personal Life, Marriages & Later Years

Eva Gabor was married five times and had no biological children.

Her marriages included:

1. Eric Drimmer (1937–1942)

2. Charles Isaacs (1943–1949)

3. John Elbert Williams (1956–1957)

4. Richard Brown (1959–1972)

5. Frank Gard Jameson Sr. (1973–1983)

Her last long partnership was with TV producer Merv Griffin, though they never officially married.

In 1995, while vacationing in Mexico, she suffered a fall in the bathtub and later died on July 4 in Los Angeles from respiratory failure and pneumonia.

Legacy and Influence

Eva Gabor is remembered for several enduring contributions:

• Her iconic role as Lisa Douglas in Green Acres remains a beloved piece of American TV nostalgia.

• Her distinctive voice work in Disney films allowed her to leave a mark in animation.

• As one of the Gabor sisters, she was part of a trio that embodied glamour, wit, and the immigrant’s reinvention in Hollywood.

• Her business ventures and fashion endeavors reflect a savvy for brand and persona beyond acting.

• Her public wit, style, and persona have kept her in collective memory longer than many of her contemporaries.

While her acting credits may not rival those of more dramatic stars, her impact lies in her distinctive persona and the affection audiences still hold for her.

Famous Quotes

Eva Gabor was known for her wit and playful commentary. Below are some of her notable quotes:

• “I believe in loyalty. When a woman reaches a certain age she likes, she should stick with it.”

• “When a woman reaches an age she likes, she should stick with it.” (variant)

• “There was no way I could live in Hollywood and not become an actress.”

• “I made up my mind to be an actress when I was 4 years old.”

• “The only thing you have to know are your words.”

• “After all the work I've done, why should I suddenly be treated as a bona fide actress?”

• “I ask myself more questions than Hamlet as I ponder which shoes to wear.”

• “Marriage is too interesting an experiment to be tried only once.”

These quotes reflect her humor, self-awareness, and light but reflective perspective on life, show business, beauty, and aging.

Lessons from Eva Gabor

From Eva Gabor’s life and public persona, we can draw a few lessons:

1. Embrace your identity — She maintained a European accent and style, making it part of her charm rather than hiding it in Hollywood.

2. Cultivate versatility — She acted, sang, voiced animated roles, and engaged in business—diversifying her presence in entertainment and commerce.

3. Project confidence with wit — Her persona was polished, clever, and forward—her quotes show she owned her voice.

4. Persistence in incremental progress — She did many small or supporting roles before achieving more recognizable success.

5. Transform setbacks with dignity — Though personal challenges and the vicissitudes of show business were part of her life, she maintained an enduring image and influence.

Conclusion

Eva Gabor remains a figure whose glamour and charm continue to capture the imagination. Though she did not always play the leading dramatic parts, her presence on screen and her voice in animation made her unforgettable. Her life was a mix of ambition, elegance, wit, and adaptation—transitioning from Hungarian origins to Hollywood starlet, carving out a place in popular culture that still resonates.