http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-et-st-mickey-mouse-club-star-annette-funicello-dies-at-70-20130408,0,5659102.story


'Mickey Mouse Club' star Annette Funicello dies at 70




Annette Funicello was one of the original members of the Mouseketeers.
CAPTIONS

1/6
By Dennis McLellan

April 8, 2013, 10:11 a.m.

Annette Funicello, the dark-haired darling of TV's “The Mickey Mouse Club” in the 1950s who further cemented her status as a pop-culture icon in the '60s by teaming with Frankie Avalon in a popular series of “beach” movies, died Monday. She was 70.

Funicello, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1987 and became a spokeswoman for treatment of the chronic, often-debilitating disease of the central nervous system, died at Mercy Southwest Hospital in Bakersfield, Walt Disney Co. spokesman Howard Green said.

Funicello and her husband, Glen Holt, had moved from the Los Angeles area after a 2011 fire gutted their home in Encino.



Bob Iger, Disney’s chairman and chief executive, said: “Annette was and always will be a cherished member of the Disney family, synonymous with the word 'Mousketeer,' and a true Disney legend. She will forever hold a place in our hearts as one of Walt Disney’s brightest stars, delighting an entire generation of baby boomers with her jubilant personality and endless talent. Annette was well known for being as beautiful inside as she was on the outside, and she faced her physical challenges with dignity, bravery and grace. All of us at Disney join with family, friends, and fans around the world in celebrating her extraordinary life.”

Funicello was a 12-year-old dance-school student when Walt Disney saw her performing the lead role in “Swan Lake” at her dance-school's year-end recital at the Starlight Bowl in Burbank in the spring of 1955.

She joined a group of other talented young performers hired to become Mousketeers on “The Mickey Mouse Club,” the children's variety show that debuted on ABC in October 1955 and quickly became a daily late-afternoon ritual for millions of young Americans.


Like her fellow female Mousketeers, Funicello wore a mouse-eared beanie, a blue pleated skirt, and a white, short-sleeved turtleneck sweater with her name emblazoned in block letters across her chest.

But there was something special about the Mouseketeer with the curly black hair that unexpectedly turned her into the ensemble cast's biggest star.

Funicello made her acting debut on “The Mickey Mouse Club” serial “Adventure in Dairyland.” She also appeared in two of the popular “Spin and Marty” serials about a Western dude ranch for boys, with Tim Considine and David Stollery in the title roles. And in 1958, Disney showcased his prized Mousketeer in her own “Annette” serial.

Mr. Disney, as Funicello always called her boss, also licensed Annette lunch boxes, Colorforms dolls, coloring books, comic books and even mystery novels featuring her in fictionalized adventures.



After “The Mickey Mouse Club” ended production in 1958 and wet into reruns, the 15-year-old Funicello was the only Mouseketeer to remain under exclusive contract to the Disney studio.

She made her feature-film debut in “The Shaggy Dog,” a 1959 comedy starring Fred MacMurray. It was the first of four Disney feature films she appeared in over the next six years, including “Babes in Toyland,” “The Misadventures of Merlin Jones” and “The Monkey's Uncle.”

Funicello received a big career boost when Disney agreed to loan her out to American International Pictures to make “Beach Party,” the song-filled, low-budget 1963 comedy in which she was first teamed on the big screen with Avalon.

In the wake of the success of “Beach Party,” Funicello and Avalon co-starred in “Muscle Beach Party,” “Bikini Beach,” and “Beach Blanket Bingo.”

That's sad, I knew she had been in poor health recently.

:rip: Annette

She was a class lady all the way. R.I.P. Annette. :(

This sad news just came in not long ago...

LOS ANGELES - Annette Funicello, star of Disney's "Mickey Mouse Club" television program in the 1950s, has died, Disney said on Monday.


"We're sorry to report beloved Disney Mouseketeer and iconic teen star Annette Funicello has passed away at age 70," the Walt Disney TV and movie studio said on its official fan club's Twitter account.


Her family told television program "Extra" that Funicello died in hospital in Bakersfield, California, while in a coma due to suffering from multiple sclerosis, which was diagnosed in 1987. It was not immediately clear when she died.


Funicello was America's peaches-and-cream girl, portraying the innocence of the 1950s and 1960s, first as a Disney Mouseketeer and then as the star of a series of beach movies.


But in later life, she was remembered for what many say was her greatest role: a valiant fight against multiple sclerosis, a crippling disease of the nervous system which reduced the once perky and vivacious singer and actress to depend progressively on a cane, a walker and finally a wheelchair.

I grew up with Annette and The Mickey Mouse Club in the '50's She was always my favorite! She had battled MS for many years. She handled it with grace. So sad to hear of her passing. God Bless her. :(

Such a sweet and classy lady who fought MS like a champion for over 25 years. God rest her.

They really do come in threes:

:rip: Phil Ramone

:rip: Roger Ebert

:rip: Annette Funicello

Very sad, though it's a blessing that her prolonged, undeserved suffering is finally over. Poor thing. May her family and loved ones find comfort during this difficult time.

m6NatiMGTH4

:rip:

Yes Annette did battle with MS since 1987, but she had many victories against the disease too. But as with all sicknesses, eventually the body can't hold out anymore. I am really gonna miss you little Mouskateer. :(

:rip: sweet Annette, you fought MS like a champion for over 25 years. God rest you...

:rip: sweet Annette, you fought MS like a champion for over 25 years. God rest you...

:nod: :(

oRTlfFlJ4o8
W-VfjUnT29g

I'll never forget my favorite Mouseketeer. She was my very first crush. :(

I'm watching an episode of The Mickey Mouse Club in tribute to the latest Fallen Star, Annette Funicello. :rip:

R.I.P Annette Funinjello

RIP

So very sad to hear this, may she rest in peace.

http://rumorfix.com/2013/04/britney-spears-lance-bass-frankie-avalon-say-goodbye-to-annette-funicello/

Britney Spears, Lance Bass & Frankie Avalon Say Goodbye To Annette Funicello

The world is mourning the life of American Sweetheart Annette Funicello, who died Monday after battling Multiple Sclerosis for 21 years.

The original member of the Mickey Mouse Club was 70.

In a statement to RumorFix, Annette’s family says, “We are so sorry to lose Mother. She is no longer suffering anymore and is now dancing in heaven. We love and will miss her terribly.”

Frankie Avalon, who starred in seven beach party movies with Annette including Beach Blanket Bingo, tells RumorFix, “We have lost one of America’s sweethearts for generations upon generations. I am fortunate enough to have been friends with Annette as well as appear in many films, TV and appearances with her. She will live on forever, I will miss her and the world will miss her.”

But to us, Annette will be most remembered as that wholesome girl who sang “M-I-C-K-E-Y..”

Britney Spears, who became a Mouseketeer in the 90s, remembered the legend with deep sadness, “I am DEVASTATED to hear about the passing of Annette Funicello. She was a role model for me during my days as a Mouseketeer. #Heartbroken,” she tweeted.

Lance Bass, who was in ‘N Sync with former Mouseketeers Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez, said it best:

“Now it’s time… to say goodbye” to Annette Funicello – my favorite Mouseketeer ( After JC and Justin of course) Trading in the ears for a halo. You will be missed!”

I think everyone loved Annette. I also watched her in the early sixties on The Mickey Mouse Club. I'm glad she is now free of her MS.

She was a sweetie pie - a kind and classy lady who fought a brave battle with a degenerative disease. Hope she's at peace now. She'll be deeply missed.

:rip: Annette


she was always my inspiration, as I have a disease that's very similar to M.S.

:rip: Annette Funicello

R.I.P.

Let me also take this time to say that multiple sclerosis is right up there with HIV as the most vicious disease on Earth. Like HIV, there is no known cure for MS, and also like HIV, people fight tirelessly every day, looking for a cure.

Other celebrities with MS include Jack Osborne, Ann Romney, and actress Teri Garr.

Annette was such a doll. Her inner and outer girl-next-door beauty and sweetness is already missed to no end.

I was watching part of "Dancing With The Stars" last night and said to myself: "Annette would have been so perfect on that show if only that damned MS..." What do you think?

Here's to you, lovely Annette (tearfully taking a bite out of my Skippy peanut butter sandwich). God Bless.

Annette was such a doll. Her inner and outer girl-next-door beauty and sweetness is already missed to no end.

I was watching part of "Dancing With The Stars" last night and said to myself: "Annette would have been so perfect on that show if only that damned MS..." What do you think?

Here's to you, lovely Annette (tearfully taking a bite out of my Skippy peanut butter sandwich). God Bless.

What a lovely tribute! :)

My younger sister Teresa was diagnosed with MS 20 years ago. It is the slow progressing type.She is now 55 years old. She is still active(she loves to hunt and fish) and although plagued with dizzy spells, and falling from time to time(she sometimes needs a cane) she is still living a normal life. We don't know when it will hit her full on. Hopefully never. I just hope and pray that she won't have to go through what Annette had to. :(

R.I.P.
Other celebrities with MS include Jack Osborne, Ann Romney, and actress Teri Garr. Country-Western Singer Donna Fargo also has MS, and One of the Osmond Brothers, Alan and his son David have MS :(

R.I.P.

Let me also take this time to say that multiple sclerosis is right up there with HIV as the most vicious disease on Earth. Like HIV, there is no known cure for MS, and also like HIV, people fight tirelessly every day, looking for a cure.

Other celebrities with MS include Jack Osborne, Ann Romney, and actress Teri Garr.

And Richard Pryor, too!!

Ironically, Teri Garr appeared in the "Beach Party" movies as an extra.


Even though I hardly knew her and was too young to have watched her at the peak of her fame, I can't help but love her as you all do and will miss her very much.

Through every stage of her career, from TV to movies to music, Annette never lost her innocent wide-eyed enthusiasm and understated charm and she never tired of or wanted to give up her squeaky-clean good girl image, no matter how often she was asked or tempted. It would have been too easy to fall into the same trap that has ruined the careers of today's stars like Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus, and Britney Spears, to name a few, but Annette was too smart and too loyal to her fans to change what made her so lovable in the first place.

I loved to watch her in the "Beach Party" movies with Frankie Avalon, which were funny and enjoyable and memorable for their great music and corny dialogue, as well as listen to her hit songs on mp3 and video like "Tall Paul", "First Name Initial" and "Jo-Jo The Dog-Faced Boy". I will think of her and pray for her every time I hear them.

By the way, my new avatar photo on the left shows Annette with fellow teen idol and lifelong best friend Shelley Fabares. They look so beautiful together and it's a nice way to remember them.

What an icon!

And a brave fight against MS.

R.I.P.

Let me also take this time to say that multiple sclerosis is right up there with HIV as the most vicious disease on Earth. Like HIV, there is no known cure for MS, and also like HIV, people fight tirelessly every day, looking for a cure.

Other celebrities with MS include Jack Osborne, Ann Romney, and actress Teri Garr.
and let me say that my disease, H.S.P., falls into that category also because it is very, very similar to MS. Unlike MS though, H.S.P. is very rare.

Annette was such a doll. Her inner and outer girl-next-door beauty and sweetness is already missed to no end.

I was watching part of "Dancing With The Stars" last night and said to myself: "Annette would have been so perfect on that show if only that damned MS..." What do you think?

Here's to you, lovely Annette (tearfully taking a bite out of my Skippy peanut butter sandwich). God Bless.
what a nice tribute!

And yes, I agree that she would have been perfect on "DANCING WITH THE STARS".

how many musketeers have died,altogether.

It looks like all the original kids are alive with the exception of Annette Funicello, Cheryl Holdridge (2009) and Mike Smith (1982). Not bad for a show that ended 54 years ago.

Original adult MC Jimmie Dodd died in 1964.

Don Grady passed away less than a year ago. He was an original Mouseketeer, right?

How sad; much too young to die. She was every young mans' dream gal back in the day. She was sexy looking, yet had an innocent look about her. She's pain-free and at peace now. God bless you, Annette Funicello.

The term "America's Sweetheart" has been so overused over the years, but for Annette that term was 100% true. She fought MS for over a quarter of a century like a champion. God rest her. She will ALWAYS be remembered with love.

So awful to hear of her passing but last week on the news they showed her being taken care of by her husband and honestly I thought it was tacky b/c she looked so frail. I'd rather remember her the way she was in her prime, but I'm glad she's at peace now with good health and happiness.

I think it was to show how horrible certain kinds of MS can be. I do hope when she passed, she will be normal like she was before she got MS.

Sad that we've lost 3 of the best-remembered Mouseketeers, as TV fans are already aware of the passing of Cheryl Holdridge and Don Grady in recent years. Annette will always be remembered.

I didn't know that Cheryl had died! She was my second favorite Mouseketeer right behind Annette.:(

I didn't know that Cheryl had died! She was my second favorite Mouseketeer right behind Annette.:(
She passed away in early 2009. I will always remember her most for her funny and charming guest spot as "The Girl Reporter", a first season episode of Bewitched.

This is sad...I hope there is a cure for MS one day.

At least she fought strong!

She passed away in early 2009. I will always remember her most for her funny and charming guest spot as "The Girl Reporter", a first season episode of Bewitched.

She also appeared in a few episodes of "My Three Sons" alongside fellow Mouseketeers Don Grady and Tim Considine. She was a beautiful young star who also sadly passed away too soon.

Since Annette Funicello was a little before my time, it is because of messageboards like these that I learn as much as I do. Thanks guys.

I vaguely remember her from the Skippy commercials, and only recently saw some of her beach movies on TCM. I have never seen the Mousketeers. I did hear though of her MS when it was mentioned in the tabloids.

People Magazine, not surprisingly, did not have enough of a tribute for her.

What a remarkable, classy & courageous woman. She also reminds me of my mother since they were both born in the same year.

She passed away in early 2009. I will always remember her most for her funny and charming guest spot as "The Girl Reporter", a first season episode of Bewitched.


She also guested on Dick Van Dyke Show as a young dancer infatuated with Rob. She also made several appearances on Leave It To /Beaver as one of Wally's girlfriends. At one time she was married to Woolworth Heiress Barbara Hutton's son Lance Reventlow ,who was formerly married to actress Jill St. John. He died in a plane crash in '72.

Here are some photo's:)

She also appeared in a few episodes of "My Three Sons" alongside fellow Mouseketeers Don Grady and Tim Considine. She was a beautiful young star who also sadly passed away too soon.

Sal, I like your avatar! Annette and Shelley Fabares were lifelong friends.

Speaking of Shelley Fabares, I might mention that Cheryl Holdridge appeared in at least one episode of The Donna Reed Show as Mary Stone's roommate when she decides to try living at college -- so Shelley and Cheryl did get to work closely together on-screen. Cheryl also had a great episode of The Rifleman as Mark McCain's crush (Johnny Crawford).

If I'm not mistaken, Annette also got to work with Tim Considine in serials on The Mickey Mouse Club. So she and Cheryl got to know 2 of the original 3 sons pretty well before My Three Sons began.

Speaking of Shelley Fabares, I might mention that Cheryl Holdridge appeared in at least one episode of The Donna Reed Show as Mary Stone's roommate when she decides to try living at college -- so Shelley and Cheryl did get to work closely together on-screen. Cheryl also had a great episode of The Rifleman as Mark McCain's crush (Johnny Crawford).

If I'm not mistaken, Annette also got to work with Tim Considine in serials on The Mickey Mouse Club. So she and Cheryl got to know 2 of the original 3 sons pretty well before My Three Sons began.

Yes, Annette ,Tim Considine and David Stollery were in a serial "Spin and Marty" which was a segment of Mickey Mouse Club.

did Annette ever have kids ?

did Annette ever have kids ?

Annette had 3 children with her first husband Jack Gilardi, but none with her 2nd husband Glen Holt. Their names are Gina, Jack Jr, and Jason. Frankie Avalon is Gina's godfather.


Thank you Penny for noticing my avatar. I have found some more photos of Annette and Shelley together and they both look beautiful. They were best friends for over 60 years and I make note of that on the "Donna Reed" board.


Annette & Shelley - My Avatar Photo

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5box855S71qgksg7o1_500.jpg


With Doreen Tracy on the set of the "Mickey Mouse Club"

http://24.media.tumblr.com/a03776edd00d3e948a4115824f8ccb52/tumblr_mhdjsyqNcp1r2k74to1_1280.jpg

With teen recording star Dodie Stevens

http://static1.imagecollect.com/preview/560/e1afd873168d64d

Playing their latest hits

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/photopost/data/754/shelly_annette.jpg

Sharing a phone call - Another personal favourite of mine

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m84626FpBh1r2k74to1_400.jpg

Here is a picture of Annette and her first husband Jack Gilardi(with whom she had 3 children) taken in 1964 shortly after they announced their engagement.

Obviously very pretty, and by all accounts a great person as well.
RIP beautiful Annette.

(Wanted to add too, how much I hate MS. One of my best friends from high school days is severely afflicted with it. I hate that damn disease.)

R.I.P.
Other celebrities with MS include Jack Osborne, Ann Romney, and actress Teri Garr.

I'm keeping a close eye out for Teri Garr's obituary.