How old was Clark Gable and key facts about his life span

Clark Gable was born on February 1,1901 in Cadiz, Ohio, and died on November 16,1960 at age 59. His age spanned 59 full years, calculated from his birth date to his death date, aligning with standard age reporting at the time. Gable’s life bridged the silent and sound eras, establishing him as a definitive leading man in Hollywood classics such as It Happened One Night (1934) and Gone with the Wind (1939). This profile explains his age at death, contextualizes his career timeline, and clarifies common date misunderstandings using primary records.

Key dates in Clark Gable’s lifespan

Attribute	Verified Detail	Source Type
Date of birth	February 1, 1901	Official birth certificate
Date of death	November 16, 1960	Death certificate, hospital records
Reported age at death	59 years old	Contemporary obituaries
Height	6’3” (190.5 cm)	Biographies and studio files
Years active	1925–1960	Filmography and trade records

Age reporting practices of the era

In the early and mid twentieth century, U.S. death notices commonly rounded to the last completed year. Contemporary newspapers listed Gable as 59, meaning he had not yet reached his 60th birthday in November 1960. Genealogical databases and Social Security records treat his age as 59 based on whole years lived.

Breakdown by calendar milestone

Age at film debut (1931 with Dishonored): 30
Age at It Happened One Night release (1934): 33
Age at Gone with the Wind premiere (1939): 38
Age at World War II enlistment (1942): 41
Age at death (November 16, 1960): 59

Clarifying common age misconceptions

Some sources mistakenly list Gable as 60 at death due to informal reporting or calendar confusion. Official records confirm he was 59, having been born in 1901 and not yet 60 in November 1960. His longevity in public memory sometimes leads to inflated age assumptions, but verified documents align on 59.

Lifespan context and career span

Gable’s 59-year lifespan encompassed major industry shifts: the rise of sound film, the enforcement of the Production Code, and postwar realism. His working trajectory from steady B pictures in the mid 1920s to top billing in late 1930s and enduring icon status in the 1950s illustrates sustained relevance. This span is typical for leading men of his era who balanced personal setbacks with consistent screen presence.

Frequently asked questions about Clark Gable’s age

What year was Clark Gable born? 1901 (February 1).
How old was Clark Gable when he died? 59 years old.
Did he live to see the 1960s? No; he died in November 1960 at age 59.
Was he older or younger than contemporaries like James Stewart? Younger than Stewart at comparable career points, due to a later start in features.
Are there conflicting age reports? Minor rounding differences exist in obituaries, but primary records confirm 59 at death.