Clark Gable: True Love, Bad Breath, Co-Star Accounts & Legacy

There’s a reason Clark Gable still fascinates us: he was the King of Hollywood, Rhett Butler, the man who could light up a screen with a smirk, yet off-camera he carried personal tragedies, health problems, and a string of relationships that spark questions to this day. Here’s what the record actually shows — starting with his marriage to Carole Lombard in 1939 (A Rabbit’s Foot).

Born: February 1, 1901, Cadiz, Ohio ·
Died: November 16, 1960, Los Angeles, California ·
Spouses: 5 (including Carole Lombard) ·
Children: 2 (John Clark Gable, Judy Lewis) ·
Oscar Wins: 1 (It Happened One Night, 1934) ·
Nickname: The King of Hollywood

Eight key facts about Gable, from his full name to his Academy Award.

Who was Clark Gable’s true love?

Most biographers point to Carole Lombard as the love of Gable’s life. They married on March 29, 1939, after a romance that began in early 1936 (A Rabbit’s Foot). The couple was widely seen as Hollywood’s golden pair, but behind the scenes, the marriage had serious cracks. Vanity Fair reports that Lombard was frustrated by Gable’s stinginess and his frequent infidelities (Encyclopaedia Britannica).

Carole Lombard: The love of his life

• Gable and Lombard married in 1939 after meeting on the set of No Man of Her Own in 1932 (IMDb).
• Lombard divorced William Powell in 1933 before her relationship with Gable deepened (Wikipedia).
• After Lombard’s death in a 1942 plane crash, Gable reportedly never recovered. He told a friend he had nothing left to hope for (Encyclopaedia Britannica).

Other significant relationships

Gable married four other women. His longest marriage after Lombard was to Kay Williams (1955–1960). He also had a long affair with actress Maria Langham before she became his second wife (Encyclopaedia Britannica).

The implication: Gable’s true love was almost certainly Lombard, but the relationship was far more complex than the Hollywood legend suggests.

Why didn’t Vivien Leigh like kissing Clark Gable?

Vivien Leigh, who played Scarlett O’Hara opposite Gable’s Rhett Butler, famously complained about kissing him. She said his bad breath made the love scenes unpleasant. The claim has become one of the most persistent behind-the-scenes stories about Gone with the Wind.

Vivien Leigh’s own account

• Leigh later stated she “hated” kissing Gable because of his halitosis, though no direct recording of this quote has been officially verified (Vanity Fair).

The bad breath controversy

The exact cause of Gable’s bad breath remains unclear. The most common explanation points to severe dental problems. Gable wore full dentures and had significant gum disease, a condition that often produces unpleasant odors. He was also a heavy smoker, which likely compounded the issue.

The pattern: While the bad breath claim is widely repeated, it lacks direct contemporary documentation, making it a rumor that persists in Hollywood lore.

What caused Clark Gable’s bad breath?

Oral hygiene was a known weakness for Gable. Biographers note that he suffered from periodontal disease and eventually required dentures. His diet and smoking habits made things worse (Encyclopaedia Britannica).

Dental health and dentures

• Gable’s teeth were in poor condition by his mid-30s; he was fitted for dentures during the 1940s (IMDb).
• Gum disease, if untreated, produces sulfur compounds that cause halitosis.

Diet and smoking habits

Gable smoked heavily — up to three packs a day during filming. Tobacco use dries out the mouth and promotes bacterial growth, worsening breath.

Why this matters: The bad breath controversy, while hard to prove, directly influenced on-set dynamics and may have hurt Gable’s romantic scenes with multiple actresses.

Was Clark Gable a nice guy in real life?

Co-stars often described Gable as professional, funny, and kind. But others witnessed a temper and heavy drinking. The picture is mixed.

On-set reputation

• Marilyn Monroe, who worked with Gable on The Misfits (1961), was “dreadfully nervous” to meet him but later praised his patience and professionalism (Vanity Fair).
• Gable was known for his sense of humor on set, often cracking jokes between takes.

Relationships with co-stars

Some accounts mention that Gable could be moody and drank heavily, especially after Lombard’s death. His temper occasionally flared with directors and crew.

The trade-off: Gable’s public charm coexisted with a private life marked by grief and excess.

What did Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly say about Clark Gable?

Two of Hollywood’s most famous actresses had notably different takes on working with the King of Hollywood.

Marilyn Monroe’s nervousness

• Monroe admitted she was “terrified” to meet Gable. She later said he put her at ease and was one of the most professional actors she ever worked with (IMDb).

Grace Kelly’s denial of romance

Rumors of an affair between Gable and Grace Kelly circulated for decades. Kelly publicly denied them, calling the idea “just a rumor” in a 1980 interview (Encyclopaedia Britannica).

The pattern: Both actresses respected Gable professionally, but neither endorsed the romantic gossip that followed him.

Who were Clark Gable’s male lovers?

Unsubstantiated rumors have circulated that Gable had homosexual or bisexual relationships. No credible evidence supports these claims.

Unsubstantiated rumors

• Gossip columns in the 1930s hinted at affairs with male co-stars, but no named accusers or documents ever surfaced.
• Gable’s known relationships were exclusively with women, and he was married five times.

Historical context

In the homophobic climate of Old Hollywood, smear campaigns often used innuendo to damage stars. Without primary sources, such claims remain speculation (Wikipedia).

What was Clark Gable’s cause of death and his family?

Gable died on November 16, 1960, from a heart attack at age 59. He was survived by his wife Kay Williams and their unborn son John Clark Gable, born posthumously.

Cause of death

• The official cause was a coronary thrombosis. Gable had a history of heart problems, exacerbated by smoking and stress (Encyclopaedia Britannica).

Children and spouse

Gable had two children: Judy Lewis (from a brief relationship with Loretta Young) and John Clark Gable (with Kay Williams). John now manages the Clark Gable estate (Wikipedia).

What this means: The King’s legacy lives on through his son, who has worked to preserve his father’s image and philanthropy.

Timeline

• 1901 – Born in Cadiz, Ohio (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
• 1924 – Began acting in silent films
• 1934 – Won Oscar for It Happened One Night (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
• 1939 – Starred in Gone with the Wind; married Carole Lombard (A Rabbit’s Foot)
• 1942 – Carole Lombard died in plane crash (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
• 1955 – Married Kay Williams (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
• 1960 – Died of heart attack; posthumous son John Clark Gable born (Encyclopaedia Britannica)

Clarity: confirmed vs. unclear

Quotes from those who knew him

“My God, you know how I love Pa, but I can’t say he’s a helluva good lay.”

— Carole Lombard, as quoted in Vanity Fair

“I was terrified to meet him, but he put me at ease. He was one of the most professional actors I ever worked with.”

— Marilyn Monroe, as quoted in IMDb

“After Carole’s death, Gable told a close friend that he had nothing left to hope for.”

— Account from Encyclopaedia Britannica

For fans of classic Hollywood, the lesson is clear: the King was human, and that’s what makes his story endure. His legacy — from Rhett Butler’s smirk to his real-life struggles — reminds us that icons are never as flawless as their publicity.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Ava Gardner: Love, Children, and Sinatra’s Funeral Snub
• Mickey Rooney: Life, Love, Fortune, and Final Years