Annette Funicello: Where is She Now?
Popular Mickey Mouse Club, Beach Party Film Star Still Warms Our Hearts
Annette the Mouseketeer
Annette Joanne Funicello was born in New York on October 22, 1942. She and her family soon moved to California, where she became a mousketeer on the Mickey Mouse Club television show. Mickey Mouse Club legend has it that she was the final one chosen to be a mouseketeer, and the only one chosen by Walt Disney himself. By most accounts, Annette became the most popular mouseketeer on the show. Shy by nature, Annette was originally chosen for her dancing ability.
Annette Grows Up
Throughout the '50s and '60s, Annette continued performing. She was in various movies and television programs, most famously beach party movies such as Beach Party with Frankie Avalon. During these years she also recorded several top-40 vocal hits.
Annette's Personal Life
Annette married Jack Gilardi in 1965. They had three children; Gina, Jack, and Jason, before divorcing in 1981. In 1986, she married horse breeder Glenn Holt.
Annette Reveals Her MS
In 1992, Annette revealed that she had been struggling with multiple sclerosis since 1987. She had kept the condition quiet for those five years, but her physical deterioration was leading to rumors of alcoholism which forced her to speak out. Annette told fans, "I think you only have two choices in this kind of situation. Either you give in to it or you fight it. I intend to fight."
She founded the Annette Funicello Teddy Bear Company which benefits efforts to fight neurological diseases like MS. She also developed a fragrance line, Cello, which is no longer made.
A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes
In 1994 Annette published her autobiography, A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes: My Story. A made-for-TV movie based on the book was made the next year, with the final scene showing Funicello herself sitting in a wheelchair. Since the '90s, Annette has largely withdrawn from public life.
SOURCES:
Biography: Annette Funicello
IMDb: Annette Funicello
Original Mickey Mouse Club Show: Annette Funicello
Published by Susan Braun - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment
Susan Braun is a freelance writer with special interests in education, the arts and music. She freelances for several sites, and is one of Associated Content s Top 1000 Sources for each year from 2008 to 201... View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentI was always a fan of Annette.and to this day I'll always buy Skippy peanut butter.
Annette is such and inspiration to me and I love her. In growing up Annette was the one person we so adored, pretending she was our special friend. Wishing her the very best..
I loved Annette - she was just so talented and lots of fun on MMC. Her MS must be a trial for her, but her attitude is great. Thanks for this little walk down memory lane.
I vaguely remember her. I don't remember ever watching the Mickey Mouse Club.
Wonderful! I like her very much!
This is kind of freaky because like Annette Robbins and Sheryl Young, I TOO was just thinking about Annette and what her condition is. I loved watching the Mouseketeers when I was a kid and remember her sweet face.
My husband and I were just wondering about her a few days ago. Thanks for the article. Sorry to hear of her present physical condition.
Funny...I was just thinking about her the other day and wondering if anyone knew how much further her condition has deteriorated recently.
I saw her on the cover of a tabloid magazine, being rushed to the hospital via an ambulance. She looked terrible. I always liked & admired her. So much more than these drug infested brats we call stars today. This gal had (has ) alot of class. God Bless you Annette...
It's a shame -- someone who had so much fame yet suffered.