Annette Funicello

Annette Funicello
Funicello in 1968
Born
Annette Joanne Funicello

(1942-10-22)October 22, 1942
DiedApril 8, 2013(2013-04-08) (aged 70)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active1954–1998
Spouses
Jack L. Gilardi
(m. 1965; div. 1981)
Glen D. Holt
(m. 1986)
Children3

Annette Joanne Funicello (October 22, 1942 – April 8, 2013) was an American actress and singer. She began her professional career at age 12, becoming one of the most popular Mouseketeers on the original Mickey Mouse Club.[1] In her teenage years, Funicello had a successful career as a pop singer recording under the name "Annette". Her most notable singles are "O Dio Mio", "First Name Initial", "Tall Paul", and "Pineapple Princess". During the mid-1960s, she established herself as a film actress, popularizing the successful "Beach Party" genre alongside co-star Frankie Avalon.

In 1992, Funicello announced that she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1987. She died of complications from the disease on April 8, 2013.

  1. ^ McLellan, Dennis (January 9, 2009). "Cheryl Holdridge dies at 64; popular Mouseketeer". Los Angeles Times.