Ann Jillian (Babes in Toyland, It's a Living) On What She Learned From Walt Disney...

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...& Rod Serling!

At Media Path, we capture the essence of classic era entertainment through interviews with icons of TV, film and music sharing behind-the-scenes stories, tracing showbiz family legacies and broadening our knowledge of pop culture.

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We’re joined by actress/singer/dancer Ann Jillian who takes us on an extraordinary journey which begins as her parents escape Soviet-Occupied Lithuania and continues into the Hollywood soundstages that launch Ann’s career as a child star in Gypsy and Babes in Toyland and then winds towards her adult career as a beloved Hollywood icon.

Ann shares the powerful story of her family's flight across war-torn Europe on bicycles, aided by her mother’s multilingual savvy, which helped them dodge bullets and bombs and navigate a perilous path to safety.

Settling in America was more than a fresh start, it was a dream realized. Ann recalls the deep pride her parents felt the day they became U.S. citizens and she reflects on her show biz beginnings, first in commercials (she was a Chevrolet girl!), then, playing Bo Peep in Babes in Toyland, leading to the stage name bestowed upon her by Mr. Walt Disney! and landing the role of Dainty June in Gypsy, where she gained an even deeper appreciation of her own mother who was NOT a Mama Rose.

Ann tells us how education was valued for Disney child stars, she shares her mother’s wisdom on dealing with jealousies and she tells us about the treasured memento she received from her dear friend in Natalie Wood.

She also discusses her battle with breast cancer, her triumphant return to work, the joy in becoming a mother and the fabulously funny and romantic 'how we met story' featuring herself and her husband of 50 years, Andy.

And IMDB Roulette this week takes us on a journey around Mayfield, into the Twilight Zone and through a time when TV movies tackled important social issues.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP0E4zh1hvI

This is something very special. Hollywood icon, three time Emmy-nominated, two time Golden Globe-winning, television, film, stage actress and singer, the one and only Ann Jillian joins Jim for this rare, exclusive, in-depth conversation and interview on The Jim Masters Show entertainment, lifestyle, celebrity talk show series. Ann shares wonderful behind the scenes stories about her childhood, her family, how she got started in the world of entertainment, all the amazing movies and TV shows she's starred in and all the incredible icons she's worked with over the years. She will also share exciting details about special projects she's involved in and so much more.

On her tenth birthday, she won the role of “Little Bo Peep” in Walt Disney’s film classic “Babes in Toyland.” Exactly one year later she played the memorable role of “Dainty June” in the film musical “Gypsy”, with Natalie Wood, Rosalind Russell and Karl Malden. Ann obtained a scholarship to the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera, which gave her a chance to study acting, and music with some of the finest teachers in the country.

Ann made her Broadway debut in the original company of the hit musical “Sugar Babies” with Mickey Rooney in 1979. After “Sugar Babies,” she headed straight from Broadway to Hollywood, a trip that has certainly proven worthwhile.

Ann starred in 25 television movies and mini-series, as well as numerous big screen films such as “Gypsy”, “Babes In Toyland”, & “Mr. Mom” in her fifty-five plus year career.

In 1988, Ann won the “Best Actress” Golden Globe award for her role in the poignant NBC television film “The Ann Jillian Story”, which also received two EMMY nominations for her and the film.

Award winning actor, Tony Lo Bianco played Ann’s real Chicago Police Sgt. husband, Andy Murcia. This autobiographical film received great critical acclaim as well as a tremendous viewing audience, Most importantly, “The Ann Jillian Story” brought Ann’s positive message about the hopeful side of breast cancer to millions of viewers.

Ann’s illustrious career also includes EMMY nominations for her performance in “Ellis Island,” a 1984 CBS mini-series that starred the late Richard Burton. And for starring in the life story of “Mae West,” a 1982 ABC TV film with music (Ann did all her own singing) for which she also received a Golden Globe nomination for best actress.

Some additional TV films and mini-series include, “Little White Lies” a romantic comedy filmed in Rome, directed by Anson Williams, “Original Sin” co-starring Charlton Heston, “Convicted: A Mother’s Story” co-starring the late Kiel Martin, “Killer In The Mirror,” co-starring the award winning actor Len Cariou, the musical mini-series “Alice In Wonderland” co-starring Sammy Davis Jr., Kim Novak and Eva Marie Saint to name a few.

In the 1980s, she starred in the ABC TV series, “It’s A Living,” as “Cassie” the wise cracking waitress, and on NBC “Jennifer Slept Here” as well as her own “The Ann Jillian Series.”

Her very productive TV career started when she was in her teens co-starring roles in “Ben Casey,” “Twilight Zone,” and Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color,” as well as a semi-regular role on the hit series “Hazel,” starring Shirley Booth. Earlier as a girl of 7, she did guest spots on “Restless Gun” w/John Payne & “Wagon Train, starring Ward Bond.