Claim to Fame: Annette got her start as a Mouskateer in
the Mickey Mouse CLub. She quickly grew to be one of the
most popular. I'd have to say to this day she might be the
most popular Mouskateer ever.
It's interesting to not that she was the last one chosen
to be a Mousketeer. She was the 24th chosen of the 24 kids.
She then moved on to be a teen idol, starring with Frankie
Avalon in the Beach movies. In fact her and Frankie starred
in 8 movies together. I sure loved those and still will watch
them whenever they are on. Family Life: Glen Holt - May 1986 - present
Jack Gilardi - January 1965 - 1981) (divorced) 3 children
Info: Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1987. In 1999, she
underwent brain surgery to slow down the tremors which result
from her MS.
Where Is
She Now:
Annette's condition has deteriorated due to MS and her life is now filled
with constant struggle. Even breathing can be difficult.
She doesn't get out much anymore. Her last public appearance that I can find was
back in 1999.
She has a collectable bear business.
Frankie Avalon says that everywhere he goes people ask
him about Annette.
You can write to Annette at: Annette Funicello
16102 Sandy Ln.
Encino, CA 91316
Trivia: Her son, Jason Gilardi, is the drummer for the rock band,
"Caroline's Spine", who were once signed to the Disney owned label, Hollywood
Records.
When she made the various beach pictures for American
International Pictures (AIP), she was still technically under
contract to Disney, doing the AIP films on a loan-out basis,
something of which Walt Disney always emphatically reminded her.
To that end, Walt Disney asked her to not wear a bikini and
instead wear a one-piece swimsuit because she had an image to uphold. She
agreed.
Her favorite TV series was Zorro. For her birthday one year,
Walt Disney (who knew she was a fan of the show) arranged to have her guest star
on one episode.
She always called Walt Disney "Mr. Disney".
She told in a 1975 interview about the price of fame. She had
to really stay close to home because wherever she went with
her parents, if it were the store or church, people would begin
to sing the Mickey Mouse Club song of "M-i-C-K-E-Y" and it
bothered her at the time. Then years ater when she would go to get her daughter
at school all her daughter's little friends
would sing the song "M-I-C-K-E-Y" and it made her feel good.
CREDITS: Back to the Beach (1987) .... Annette
Lots of Luck (1985) (TV) .... Julie Maris
"The Love Boat" playing "Kate Ladell" (1982)
"Fantasy Island" playing "Elizabeth 'Liz' Drake" (1981)
"The Mouseketeer Reunion" (1980)
"Fantasy Island" playing "Mary Ann Carlin" (1980)
"Fantasy Island" playing "Edna Kamberley" (1979)
"The Love Boat" playing "Roberta Roberts" (1978)
Frankie and Annette: The Second Time Around (1978) (TV)
"The New Mickey Mouse Club" (1977)
"Love, American Style" (1971)
Head (1968) .... Minnie
Thunder Alley (1967) .... Francie Madsen
"Hondo" playing "Anne Williams" (1967)
"The Woody Woodbury Show" (1967)
Fireball 500 (1966) .... Jane
Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine (1965)
How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965) .... Dee Dee
Ski Party (1965) (uncredited) .... Prof. Sonya Roberts
The Monkey's Uncle (1965) .... Jennifer
Beach Blanket Bingo (1965) .... Dee Dee
"Burke's Law" playing "Anna Najensky" (1965)
"The Greatest Show on Earth" playing "Melanie Keller" (1964)
Pajama Party (1964) .... Connie
Bikini Beach (1964) .... Dee Dee
Muscle Beach Party (1964) .... Dee Dee
The Misadventures of Merlin Jones (1964) .... Jennifer
Beach Party (1963) .... Dolores
"Burke's Law" playing "Dorrie Marsh" (1963)
"Wagon Train" playing "Rose Pulaski" (1963)
Escapade in Florence (1962) (TV) .... Annette Aliotto
The Golden Horseshoe Revue (1962) (TV) (as Annette)
Elfego Baca: Six Gun Law (1962)
Babes in Toyland (1961) .... Mary Contrary
The Horsemasters (1961) (TV) .... Dinah Wilcox
"Disneyland" playing "Constancia de la Torre" (1961)
"Zorro" playing "Constancia de la Torre" (1961)
"Disneyland" playing "Chucita Bernal" (1959)
"Zorro" playing "Anita Cabrillo" (1959)
"Make Room for Daddy" TV Series .... Gina (1959)
The Shaggy Dog (1959) .... Allison D'Allessio
"The New Adventures of Spin and Marty" (1958) TV Series
"The Nine Lives of Elfego Baca" (1958) TV Series .... Chiquita
Disneyland: The Fourth Anniversary Show (1957)... Ozma
"The Mickey Mouse Club" (1955) TV Series .... Annette
Family Life: Glen Holt - May 1986 - present
Where Is
She Now:
Annette's condition has deteriorated due to MS and her life is now filled
with constant struggle. Even breathing can be difficult.
