Ava Gardner was an American actress and singer who was active in Hollywood from the 1940s to the 1960s. She is best known for her roles in films such as The Killers, Show Boat, and The Barefoot Contessa. She was married to actor Frank Sinatra and was a close friend of Ernest Hemingway. Gardner was a major star during the Golden Age of Hollywood and was considered one of the most beautiful women of her time.