Annette Funicello

Annette Funicello
Funicello in 1962
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. 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. She died of complications from the disease on April 8, 2013.