Annette Funicello gained Mouseketeer stardom on The Mickey Mouse Club in the 1950s, and with a last name that begins with “fun,” it’s no wonder she quickly became America’s sweetheart. But did you know that she was the only one of the original Mouseketeers personally chosen by Walt Disney himself? He noticed her dancing in a production of Swan Lake and promptly asked her to audition for the show. As it turned out, dancing was merely one of Funicello’s talents. Dancing, along with her singing and acting and wholesome appeal, all combined to make the 13-year-old an instant MMC fan-favorite. In fact, it wasn’t long before she even had her own series within the Club, entitled Annette.
She was consistently featured in teen magazines, and was the ultimate positive influence on other teens. The end of the Mickey Mouse Club, did not spell the end of Funicello’s popularity. In fact, she remained under contract with Disney – and throughout the rest of her Mouse-career, she appeared in a variety of Disney television shows and feature films, including Babes in Toyland and The Shaggy Dog. In fact, she was still under contract with Disney when she began appearing in her kitschy, campy, and altogether wonderful Beach Party flicks with Frankie Avalon. Hence, amid bikini clad, boy-crazy gals and surfing musclemen, Funicello perfectly maintained her wholesome image. Her fame was furthered with the recording of dozens of Top 40 songs, such as “Tall Paul” and “Pineapple Princess.”
Despite growing up in the public eye, Annette never lost her cool. She adored showbusiness and through it all she was always warm, sunny, and sincere – a perfect, all-American, parent’s dream of a teenager who managed to be popular, fun, and outgoing while still having a very real, down to earth appeal. Her popularity continued even after her contract with Disney was up, and decades later, she is still a household name.
Unfortunately, Annette started battling Multiple Sclerosis in 1987, but she never let her disease diminish her enthusiasm for doing good. She devoted herself to the fight against neurological disorders, with fundraisers such as The Annette Funicello Teddy Bear Company (a line of collectible teddy bears), and Cello, by Annette (her own perfume line). A portion of the proceeds from these products went to The Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases. Funicello died succumbed to her illness in April 2013.
