Whatever Happened To Annette Funicello
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America's sweetheart of the late 50's and 60's Annette Funicello was born October 22,1942 in Utica, New York. She was the all-time favorite on the hit TV show 'The Mickey Mouse Club which first aired in 1955. The only original mouseketeer selected by Walt Disney himself, Annette went on to act in many beach party movies also starring Frankie Avalon she also starred in the famous Skippy Peanut Butter commercials. The Disney studio received so much fan mail about the song, " How will you know my love" that Walt Disney decided to have her record the single 45 with a little bit of uneasiness gave her a recording contract.
Annette Funicello was very shy and although she went on to record more hit singles such as Tall Paul, Pineapple Princess and Train of Love amongst others she felt uncomfortable being known as a singer. Annette credited her record producer Tutti Camarata for double tracking her vocals making it match as closely to her original sound a possible creating " The Annette Sound," this would produce a more fuller sound then her voice would normally produce.
Annette Funicello was married from 1965-1981 to husband Jack Gilardi in the years they were together they had 3 children, the marriage ended up in Divorce and in 1986 she married Glen Holt, shortly after there marriage Annette kept claiming of dizzy spells while he and Frankie Avalon where promoting there film "Back To The Beach." She kept these issue quite and away from her family, in 1992 she had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis which is a debilitating disease which your body's immune system eats away at the protective sheathe that covers your nerves. She felt it was necessary to go public due to tabloids and rumors stating that the reason should could not walk was due to alcoholism which was clearly not true. In that same year she had been inducted as a Disney Legend and in 1993 she opened the Annette Funicello Fund for Neurological Disorders at the California Community Foundation to assist others who had debilitating diseases. Her autobiography was published in 1994 titled "A Dream is A Wish Your Heart Makes: The Annette Funicello Story." It is a wonderfully written autobiography which gives glimpses into her life from a young age through adulthood. Annette continued on to create her own line of teddy bears which were produced from 1994-2004 called Annette Funicello Collectible Bear Company and a perfume called "Cello." by Annette.
Virginia Funicello past away on September 2,2007 a month after her 86th birthday due to pneumonia and her father Joe Funicello recently past away on May 21,2009 of natural causes.
Annette although beating the odds with having multiple sclerosis is a very private woman who is love still today by millions who watch the re-runs on you-tube of the Mickey Mouse club or anticipate the beach movies when they are ran on satellite or cable. Many grew up with her, while others learned of her through family and friends. She was a America's sweetheart with a wholesome image, character and grace. Honored to write about her, so you ask yourself again , " Whatever happened to Annette? She is alive, well and working with others that battle diseases, all of us hope that there is a cure found for this debilitating disease.
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Annette Funicello Episode Seven Mickey Mouse Club
Annette Funicello And Frankie Avalon
Annette Funicello (The Annette Sound)
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VioletSun: It is so nice to know that your friend is doing so well it is all about a positive attitude and spirituality that is what I also believe. There are quite a few more some are singers, some are starts but all are important as you know on this series they are the 50's through the 90's. THese have been fun to write as much as others have enjoyed reading them. :)
I loved Annette, She was my sweetheart, until Farrah and Jacklyn Smith came along. I loved her movies. I felt so bad for her when she got sick. I found out one of my old college bud has MS.
Keep on hubbing!
My great grandmother had MS, she lived to a ripe old age. It's wonderful that Annette Funicello is working with others with disease. Great hub.
eovery: So many people loved Annette she was everyone's favorite. She certainly is a blessing and a gift to so many people. :)
fishtiger58: I am so glad to hear that because the World would be so different if we did not have her. What a positive outlook for her. :)
Great hub on Annette.
Keep on hubbing!
Mit Kroy: Don't worry I certainly did I noticed that to and thank you for the wonderful comment. :)
AEvans, Wonderful Hub! She brought such a breath of fresh air and wholesomeness on screen... It is inspiring that she continues to reach out and help others... Thank you for sharing this great bio of Annette Funicello, Blessings!
Still have the tune M I C K E Y running through my head from a child...Thanks for the hub and all the updates...
Hugs and Blessings
Pat writes - What a lovely Hub. I have not thought about Annette for years and now you have brought back some happy memories. My family did not have a television and when I could I would go to the neighbours to watch the Micky Mouse Club.
Thank you for a well researched and very touching Hub.
More happy memories. Though I am English I was brought up in an Anglo American camp in the Kuwaiti desert. Songs by Annette figured highly in our dances back in the early sixties. Thank you.
DeBorrah: She was and is still a deacon of light even after all of these years. :)
"Quill": Hugs and Blessings to you too and that tune M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E was also a wonderful little song. :)
2patricias" Those are such wonderful memories I am so glad that I could bring them back. :)
Peter Dickinson: Well that is certainly a wonderful memory to remember and I bet you those were cherised times! :)
A magnificent woman and role model for kids (which is badly needed today). Great Hub and thanks! Best, Sis
That you giving us this hub. She was beautiful and after she found out she had MS she showed under all that glamour and fame she was such great person.
Angela Blair: I could not agree with you more when it comes to children of today often they are left behind trying to fend for themselves, she certainly was a great role model for her children. :)
Hello, hello: She was and still is a wonderful and warm human being. :)
A very well-written hub about a beautiful and talented lady. She was not only a singer and actress, she was an accomplished dancer as well.
Thanks for writing this, it was a nice salute to a charming, inspirational woman.
Mike Licketig: My middle name was given due to her , my mother and father loved Annette and felt it was a fitting name for me to carry. Thank you for your warm and wonderful comment to her. :)
Thx for the update on Annette there AE. I must confess that I had not even thought about the former Mousketeer in awhile. I am glad she is doin OK.And I wish her the best on her pursuit in helping to battle diseases. Good little hub.
It got me nostalgic ! Now at some point today I guess I will have to look for one of those beach movies on the TV !
tony0724: It would be nice if you could find one there are many times in the spring when they run them all day here.:)
Very interesting hub, thanks so much for bringing Annette Funicello's life to the forefront. Often times, you wonder about stars from the past, yet don't take the time to research. This was really nice to read.
However, I was saddened to hear that she is battling MS, it can be such a debilitating disease. My heart goes out to anyone that suffers from this disease.
Thanks once again for such an interesting hub,
Sage
Wow, thank you for the nice update. We were talking about her last summer wondering what ever happened to her. I was saddened to hear about her condition and sure hope that a cure will be available soon.
Great hub and picture collection
Hope you're well, kindest regards Zsuzsy
Sage Williams: I always wonder about the stars and was compelled to research and write about quite a few, it has been a lot of fun and so interesting. It is sad that she is battling ithowever she is doing well based on research. :)
Zsuzsy Bee: She is an icon and I hope a cure will be found soon as well, she is a fighter from what I understand and a delight to all that know her. :)
Yeah! I got to grow up watching the original Mouseketeers and she was one of my faves! Thank you for sharing this lady with us!
Hi AEvans, what's most remarkable about her is that she has never had a remission. She is primary-progressive which is the cruelest form of the disease. Through it all she has been an inspiration to many of us who live with MS and we draw strength from the fact that she never loses her inner beauty which as we all know doesn't depend on her physical appearance.
I'm glad you wrote about her. :)
Remember when Walt Disney personally looked after the image of the Mouseketeers? No naval and no bad behavior!
Carl Eisener and his ilk from Hollywierd changed the old image of the traditioanl family at Disney into a more modern
liberal indoctination.
http://www.anomalies-unlimited.com/Disney/Interest
Eisner brought porn into Disney with " Wanda Whips WallStreet" produced by Disney subsidary. The Gay Friendly Disney Weeks at Disney World & Disney Land.
http://www.natall.com/free-speech/fs959a.html
Walt Disney knew of the sewer know as Hollywood & feared his beloved family empire could be hijacked by the far left liberals which was then and now run by the liberal elite Jewish medium. This led to Disney being branded as an anti semite.
Gone are the Annete Funicellos and replaced by sleazy costumed hooker antics. Brittany Spears, Lindsey Lohan, & now Miley Cyress.
Yes, Walt is spinning in his grave!
This is great! Like many I always did wonder what became of Annette:) Nice to hear what has happened in her life! Informative, thank you:)
Candie V: The re-runs are also on you-tube, I am glad that you enjoy the hub.:)
Jen's Solitude: She is amazing and I didn't realize that you to had MS many blessings to you.:)I am glad you read.:)
Mark Thompson: The image has completely changed and there are so many subliminal messages in the movies but it is certainly wonderful that we have the originals to look back on. :)
heart4theword: You are welcome! :)
This is one I really have never heard of, but, as you know, I'm from the UK.
Nevertheless, intersting to read about. Always sad to hear of people falling victim to disease, but she seems to deal with it positively.
Look forward to your next 'Whatever Happened to ...' Hope I know the next one :)
Another fine actress and person. Good to revisit her.
Jayne Lancer: She was not from my era but she certainly was from so many others. The re-runs are on youtube and you can also purchase the original mouseketeer collection. She was and is talented and wonderful and beautiful I am happy to share who she was to those who remember her and have looked to learning something new. :)
Springboard: It is always nice to revisit wonderful people from yesteryear and I am certainly happy that you enjoyed re-visiting her. :)
I loved her when I was a kid. Thanks for the update. The oldies are the best!
OH, Annette was so lovely and sweet, so girl next door. I remember hearing a story about when she came to work for Walt Disney. She thought that maybe she should change her last name, but Disney said 'never do that. Your name is like music!'
Dolores Monet: I didn't even know that? Thank you for sharing and even when you look at the black and whites on you-tube she certainly did have that look. :)
Nice to see others who appreciate Annette! as I have said in my own hubs, she is the greatest role model a girl can have... heck, anyone and everyone should look up to her.
I remember watching her movies while very young and loving them. She was an inspiration to many and being stricken with MS actually elevated her wonderful persona. Great job!
bat115: I look up to her and I am half of her age. :)
ehern33: She certainly is charismatic and beautiful the oldies are also on you-tube. :)
It would be nice to see Annette - it doesn't matter how she looks or how she speaks - she's adorable. My father died when he was 78 and I was 28 and all I wish is that I could just see him in person no matter what his condition. He didn't die from MS.
mousek: Now that is sweet I wish you could see her too! :)
I gotta tell you AEvans, I just spent the last 2 hours going over some of these on You Tube. Thank you for a lovely reminder. Many hours of good clean fun as a child! Loved it
"They truly broke the mold when they created her" I've heard this saying many times over the years and Annette is probably the only person it could apply to.
Duchess: I bet that was a relaxing two hours and there is nothing like going back into time for just a little while it brings back the child in all of us. :)
bat115: They certainly did she was a blessing to so many and she is a household name to millions. :)
I watched when I was a little girl, wow, that's been a long time. She was my favorite. I wanted to be a micky mouse girl, at that time it would have been impossible. But, today, there are so many children from all backgrounds enjoying children tv. Did you see American Idol with the girl from Seseme Street auditioning? Thanks for the memories.
New Life: I didn't get the opportunity of seeing the girl from Sesame Street audition but I am glad that you enjoyed your memories of your favorite mousekeeter.:)
I always loved watching their movies. I grew up in Canada and always dreamed of those warm sunny places. Thanks for the memories. Good, clean fun!
p.s. thank you for the nice thing you said on cagsil's forum about me.
Tammy: I am glad that you could reflect and when someone is as wonderful as you I am always happy to say what I feel. :)
Thank you so much AEvans. It have answered a question I wondered about from time to time. I loved Annette and grew up with the "Mickey Mouse club."
As Tammy said, Thanks for the memories.
Forever His,
This is a fantastic article. Reads like butter and very informative. Thanks!
Mordechai: You are welcome and I do have to say I am so happy that you have a pic up that is so wonderful! :)
Thanks AE I am cognito-is that a word? opposite of incognito?
Jykeith: What comment are you referencing I do not recall leaving any negative nor 3rd person comment on your thread. I am not one to leave a derogatory comment on anyone's hubs so if I did I apologize but please tell me what I left before you get upset. :)
Mordechi: You are welcome! :)
Hey AE, are you being harassed again? Remember, us superheroes sorted it last year lol
cindyvine: I don't know what I wrote, if it was on a thread a lot of times people comment after we write and sometimes all of us think it is the second person instead of the 3rd. ***sigh*** I don't know what I wrote people who know me, know that I am not rude especially to a new hubber and if I hurt there feelings, I feel horrible. I believe it was a thread based on the comment and if I recall I was defending them not calling them a cheat.:( Geesh you can't please everyone but I hope that they air can be cleared. :)
I aways thought she was so beautiful!!!!!! I love this HUB!!! Thank you for the info. Blessings!!!!! When you get a chance, come visit me.
I have always been drawn to the charecter of Annette. Do you remember her Skippy Peanut Butter commercial. She has beauty, grace and a feminity that is breathtaking. Thanks for updating us on this True American Sweetheart.
Mekenzie: I am glad that you enjoyed reading about her she was so much fun to research.:)
AE,
Every young boy had a crush on Annette, she had everything. The everything caused problems for the Mickey Mouse Club. Annette started to blossom at an early age.
Not knowing what to do, the producers han bad-aids and tape placed over her breasts, to minimize them. Thicker bandages were used as she grew.
As you know I have a bad case of Chronic-Progressive MS, I believe Annette has the same. I'm sorry to say; she is NOT doing well. She is wheelchair bound, and does not make appearences.
Frankie Avalon is out there making appeals for the charity set up in her name.
Harvey: I didn't know that about her either and I thank you for sharing the information. Thank you for the update on her and I did realize that both you and her are fighting the same battle many blessings to both of you. I am so glad to hear that Frankie is out there making appeals for the charity set up in her name. :)
AE,
Frankie Avalon helped start the charity.
Harvey: That is so wonderful to know, I am also writing about him. :)
I LOVE Annette Funicello, and I love all of your "Whatever Happened To..." hubs :) Thank you for sharing this info!
SevDiggity: I have wondered where you have been? I have a list of writers I have to read so I will definitely be over there. :)
She was a sweet and dear young lovely honest endearing child with a radiating smile and kindness about her. I pray God will care well of her for her disease. God Bless her, and you for thinking of her.
stars439: Thank you and I too hope that God shines upon her but I do believe he may already have. :)
very pretty woman. I heard that Mitt Romney's wife also has MS.
vrajavala: She is beautiful and that is so sad to hear that Mitt Romneys' wife also has it, I didn't know that.
I always thought that Annette and I would make a nice couple. Alas- I'm still a frog though! Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane!
Mickey Dee: I believe you are not a frog and I can bet you would have made a wonderful couple. Memory lane is good sometimes it is the best thing to reflect on and I am happy that you enjoyed the memory. :)
I remember her fondly. Walt had much to do with her early life as her mentor. He truly loved the girl as a grandfather would.
ralwus: She was then and is now a blessing to so many, Walt would be proud of her today if he were still alive to see her.:)
Thanks AEvans. I loved Annette Funacello - we have the same first name, and are both brunettes -- many fantasies in my childhood, you can bet! Our married names are also similar.
I loved the video clips. thanks.
agaglia: You ar welcome! She sure is and was a precious person, elegant, cordial and wonderful. She is an amazing person! :)
AEvans - Annette was my husband's first love. He still watches the Beach Blanket Bingo movies and adores them. My older sister, brother and I watched the Mickey Mouse Show from its early beginnings on a tiny black and white TV, and ordered sets of Mickey Mouse ears and Mouseketeer Shirts with our names. Jimmy, Cubby and Annette were like members of our family. We were also guests on the Howdy Doody Show with Cowboy Bob and Clarabelle the Clown. So long ago.
You've presented a lovely tribute to her with this hub. Very enjoyable read with lots of memories.
Really great story. I enjoyed reading it.
I often wonder. When I was very,very young boy now in my 60's there were these people who lived a couple houses down fom me here in Hammond Indiana. They had agirl come and stay with them for a couple days (i beleve it was a grandaughter) and I swore later that it was Annette,I could be wrong ,just another boy in love with a very,very prety girl. But I guess I will always wonder if I did really meet here ,was more into playing cowboys and indians than girls. I can't remember if anyone ever said what her name was.Getting the point now I will take my question along with a lot of my other memories to another place.
John: If you believe it was her it could have very well been. What a wonderful story you have told and you never know maybe, just maybe it was her. :)
you are a little doll.like a princeess, I dont know y I had
a dream about you last night, so i looked you up. it's great your hanging in there. i dont see your husband menshion, as i remember he was a good guy,
Annette was a hearthrob, even at age 14. I actually miss that show.
JoAnn Pisacane: Thank you for your comment and if you are referring to Annette Funicello her husband is mentioned up there.
Peter Owen: I believe you may be able to find her on youtube or netflix.
I can remember her on the show.lol. great job on this hub.I really liked it.
My childhood was a brighter place because of Annette. She is the one star that you never heard anything bad about. She was truly a great person to emulate growing up. When she does pass away the world is going to truly be missing an angel.
roshall: I am glad you appreciated it. :)
Terry: That is a beautiful statement. I have a couple of her bears and watch the clips on youtube. It does appear she was an icon and people still love her today. :)
What a great hub. I used to watch her on the Mickey Mouse club as well as her various movies. She was quite a lady. It is hard to imagine her as anything but young and beautiful. 86 years old? I imagine she was still beautiful when she passed away.
Sinea Pies: Annette Funicello just turned 69 and will not be 70 until next year. She is still alive the last time I researched her. My mother and her were born a year apart. She is a beautiful person inside and out. :)
I was a TV person on her and him I wanted them to be together for real not just TV that was my wish.But it was not but i do think she did date him.If so how great that was she was so very pretty.
Joyce Bates: Annette was a pretty woman. I am sure she still is and will always be. Mom told me one time that her and Frankie had dated when they were young. It was in the cards for them to be together for eternity and they are still friends until this day. :)
I fell in love with Annette when I saw the first eppisode of Mickey Mouse Club. I still love her and will continue as long as I breathe. God Bless this wonderful person and may God grant her improvement of the terrible condition that has tragically immobilised her. She deserves the best of everything! Canovan.com
jim vanhollebeke: That is a beautiful memory! She was a blessing to so many and its so wonderful that you have a warm place in your heart just for her. :)
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Lesley Gore was born Lesley Sue Goldstein on May 2,1946 in New York City, New York. Raised in Tenafly, New Jersey she had a very strong Jewish upbringing. Her father was a very affluent gentleman who...
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VioletSun Level 5 Commenter 2 years ago
Such a talented, pretty woman with a sucessful life, and then to be challenged with MS. I have a friend with MS in VA and it robbed her of her independence, but she is happy; she is an amazing deeply spiritual woman.
Thanks for the update, I enjoyed reading about her and always have. Great idea in creating a hub series of well known personalities that we haven't hearb about for a while!