How come Ann Jillian didn't become a bigger star or household name - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 05-24-2023, 05:51 AM

Ann Jillian, especially during the 1980s, strikes me as somebody who was a victim of the Hollywood Hype Machine. During the height of her notoriety, she was hyped up as the second coming of Jean Harlow.

The most obvious thing to say or argue is that her cancer ordeal is what derailed her career or momentum. But Ann by the looks of it, was still able to obtain work in Hollywood.

But regardless, besides It's a Living, she headlined two sitcoms (Jennifer Slept Here and The Ann Jillian Show) that unfortunately for her, didn't last very long. She was also in Mr. Mom alongside Michael Keaton. Her last credited acting role appears to be from the year 2000.

michelala · 07-14-2023, 06:26 PM

Ann had been acting since she was a little girl guest starring in shows like Leave it to Beaver and was also a regular on Hazel.

Maybe she just got burnt out on acting? She was everywhere back in the 1980's even appearing on variety shows in addition to acting in tv and movies. I guess alot of us would slow down at some point especially after a cancer ordeal. She did an interview that was on yt a few years ago. It sounded like she was primarily focusing on charity type work.

05-24-2023, 05:51 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 127,436	How come Ann Jillian didn't become a bigger star or household name Ann Jillian, especially during the 1980s, strikes me as somebody who was a victim of the Hollywood Hype Machine. During the height of her notoriety, she was hyped up as the second coming of Jean Harlow. The most obvious thing to say or argue is that her cancer ordeal is what derailed her career or momentum. But Ann by the looks of it, was still able to obtain work in Hollywood. But regardless, besides It's a Living, she headlined two sitcoms (Jennifer Slept Here and The Ann Jillian Show) that unfortunately for her, didn't last very long. She was also in Mr. Mom alongside Michael Keaton. Her last credited acting role appears to be from the year 2000.
	Last edited by TMC; 07-14-2023 at 07:36 PM.

07-14-2023, 06:26 PM	#2
michelala Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 08, 2023 Posts: 68	Ann had been acting since she was a little girl guest starring in shows like Leave it to Beaver and was also a regular on Hazel. Maybe she just got burnt out on acting? She was everywhere back in the 1980's even appearing on variety shows in addition to acting in tv and movies. I guess alot of us would slow down at some point especially after a cancer ordeal. She did an interview that was on yt a few years ago. It sounded like she was primarily focusing on charity type work.