Annette Funicello facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Annette Funicello
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Annette Funicello in 1975
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| Born |
Annette Joanne Funicello
October 22, 1942 Utica, New York, U.S.
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| Died | April 8, 2013 (aged 70) Bakersfield, California, U.S.
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| Cause of death | Complications from multiple sclerosis |
| Occupation | Actress and singer |
| Years active | 1954–1998 |
| Spouse(s) |
Jack L. Gilardi
(m. 1965; div. 1981)Glen D. Holt
(m. 1986) |
| Children | 3 |
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Annette Joanne Funicello (born October 22, 1942 – died April 8, 2013) was a famous American actress and singer. She started her career at just twelve years old. Annette became one of the most loved Mouseketeers on the original Mickey Mouse Club.
As a teenager, she became a successful pop singer, known simply as Annette. Some of her popular songs include "O Dio Mio", "First Name Initial", "Tall Paul", and "Pineapple Princess". In the mid-1960s, she also became a movie star. She was famous for the "Beach Party" movies with her co-star Frankie Avalon.
In 1992, Annette shared that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1987. This is a disease that affects the body's nervous system. She passed away from complications of this illness on April 8, 2013.
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Annette Funicello's Early Life
Annette Joanne Funicello was born in Utica, New York. Her parents, Virginia and Joseph, were Italian Americans. When Annette was four years old, her family moved to Southern California.
Annette Funicello's Career Journey
Becoming a Mouseketeer
Annette took dancing and music lessons when she was a child. This helped her to overcome her shyness. In 1955, when she was 12, Walt Disney discovered her. She was performing in a dance show in Burbank, California.
Walt Disney chose her to be one of the first Mouseketeers. She was the last one picked, and Walt Disney himself chose her. Annette quickly became very popular. By the end of the first season of The Mickey Mouse Club, she received thousands of fan letters each month. This was more than any other Mouseketeer.
She also appeared in many skits and dance routines on the show. Annette starred in several mini-series on The Mickey Mouse Club. These included Adventure in Dairyland and Walt Disney Presents: Annette.
Annette's Singing Career
Annette's singing career began after she performed a song in her Annette mini-series. Fans loved the song "How Will I Know My Love". Walt Disney decided to release it as a single. He also gave Annette a recording contract.
She had many pop hits in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Many of her songs were written by the Sherman Brothers. Some of her well-known songs were "Tall Paul", "First Name Initial", and "Pineapple Princess". These songs were released by Disney's Buena Vista label.
After the Mickey Mouse Club
After The Mickey Mouse Club, Annette continued to work with Disney. She had a role in the Disney TV series Zorro. She also appeared as a guest on Make Room for Daddy.
Annette made her first movie in the Disney comedy The Shaggy Dog (1959). This movie was very successful.
In 1961, Annette starred in a big musical movie for Disney called Babes in Toyland. She also appeared in two TV movies filmed in Europe for Disney. These movies were The Horsemasters (1961) and Escapade in Florence (1962).
The Famous Beach Party Movies
Annette became a teen idol by starring in the "Beach Party" movies. She made these films with Frankie Avalon. The first movie, Beach Party (1963), was a huge hit. Because of its success, Annette signed a contract to make more beach party movies.
She also starred in two Disney TV movies with Tommy Kirk. These were The Misadventures of Merlin Jones (1964) and its sequel, The Monkey's Uncle (1965). Both were released in cinemas and became popular.
The beach party movies continued with Muscle Beach Party (1964) and Bikini Beach (1964). Annette wore modest bathing suits in these films, as Walt Disney had requested.
Annette and Frankie Avalon continued to star together in movies like Beach Blanket Bingo (1965). She also appeared in How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965).
Later Career and Life
In the 1970s, Annette focused on her family. She still made guest appearances on TV shows like Fantasy Island and The Love Boat.
From 1979, Annette became known for starring in TV commercials for Skippy peanut butter. In 1987, she reunited with Frankie Avalon for the movie Back to the Beach. They also performed live together.
Annette wrote her autobiography, A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: My Story, which was published in 1994. A TV movie based on her book was made in 1995. In the final scene of the movie, Annette herself appeared to deliver a message.
She also created a line of teddy bears and her own perfume called "Cello, by Annette". Her last public appearance was in 1998, with Frankie Avalon, at a Multiple Sclerosis Society event.
Annette Funicello's Personal Life
Annette's best friend was actress and singer Shelley Fabares. They met in a class when they were teenagers. Annette was also close to other Mouseketeers and her co-stars. She dated singer/songwriter Paul Anka, who wrote his hit song "Puppy Love" about her.
Annette was married to Jack L. Gilardi from 1965 to 1981. They had three children: Gina, Jack Jr., and Jason. In 1986, she married Glen D. Holt.
In March 2011, her home caught fire. She was unharmed but suffered from smoke. After the fire, Annette and Glen lived in a ranch home near Bakersfield, California.
Illness and Legacy
In early 1987, Annette began to experience health issues like dizziness and balance problems. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. For five years, she kept her condition private. In 1992, she decided to share her diagnosis with the public.
In 1993, she started the Annette Funicello Fund for Neurological Disorders. This fund helps support research for diseases like multiple sclerosis.
By 2004, Annette could no longer walk. By 2009, she lost the ability to speak and needed constant care. Her close friend Shelley Fabares was with her during this time.
Annette Funicello passed away on April 8, 2013, at the age of 70. She died from complications related to multiple sclerosis. Her family and Shelley Fabares were with her.
Annette was honored as a Disney Legend in 1992. She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1993. In Disneyland Paris, a 1950s-themed restaurant called Annette's Diner is named after her.
Images for kids
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Annette Funicello in a parade in Seattle, 1963
See also
In Spanish: Annette Funicello para niños
