Posted on 04/08/2013 7:47:52 PM PDT by xzins
Annette Funicello, the most popular Mouseketeer on “The Mickey Mouse Club,” who matured to a successful career in records and ’60s beach party movies but struggled with illness in middle age and after, died Monday, The Walt Disney Co. said. She was 70.
She died peacefully at Mercy Southwest Hospital in Bakersfield, Calif., of complications from multiple sclerosis, the company said.
Funicello stunned fans and friends in 1992 with the announcement about her ailment. Yet she was cheerful and upbeat, grappling with the disease with a courage that contrasted with her lightweight teen image of old.
The pretty, dark-haired Funicello was just 13 when she gained fame on Walt Disney’s television kiddie “club,” an amalgam of stories, songs and dance routines that ran from 1955 to 1959.
Cast after Disney saw her at a dance recital, she soon began receiving 8,000 fan letters a month, 10 times more than any of the 23 other young performers.
Her devotion to Walt Disney remained throughout her life. “He was the dearest, kindest person, and truly was like a second father to me,” she remarked. “He was a kid at heart.”
When “The Mickey Mouse Club” ended, Annette (as she was often billed) was the only club member to remain under contract to the studio. She appeared in such Disney movies as “Johnny Tremain,” ”The Shaggy Dog,” ”The Horsemasters,” ”Babes in Toyland,” ”The Misadventures of Merlin Jones” and “The Monkey’s Uncle.”
(Excerpt) Read more at entertainment.time.com ...
"The beach films featured ample youthful skin. But not Funicello’s.
She remembered in 1987: “Mr. Disney said to me one day, ‘Annette, I have a favor to ask of you. I know all the girls are wearing bikinis, but you have an image to uphold. I would appreciate it if you would wear a one-piece suit.’ I did, and I never regretted it.”"
She was a real lady, despite all the leering and ogling references to her by so many low-moral un-gentlemen.
She will be missed. I think she had a show or mini-series about herself a while back wherein she did talk and said how wonderful things have been even though she has MS. She impressed me so much. Reminds me of my mother’s best friend, too, including being a great conservative lady.
She certainly was pretty.
Rest in peace, Annette.
I’m sure Walt Disney would be so proud of Miley Cyrus today. /S
RIP Annette!
Didn’t Paul Anka or someone just come out with a book about sleeping with her? Classy guy with her being so sick.
Paul Anka announces he humped her, then she DIES..?
Just wow.
She is an icon from a high point in American History.
She is an icon from a high point in American History.
“She died peacefully at Mercy Southwest Hospital in Bakersfield, Calif., of complications from multiple sclerosis, the company said.”
Minding Your Mitochondria: Dr. Terry Wahls at TEDxIowaCity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLjgBLwH3Wc
She is an icon from a high point in American History.
That America is gone forever.
RIP Annette.
God bless you Annette....thx for the memories...
>That America is gone forever.<
.
Evil forces in government made sure it was destroyed to make room for mindless socialism, liberalism and multiculturalism.
New World Order/One World Government.
Making sure no one would see me when she was on I’d run up and kiss the TV. Lol craziness !
Condolences to Annette Funicello’s family and friends.
After I read about this earlier I looked her up. The site had a link to findagrave which already had her obit. At that time there were nearly 400 messages. People loved her many decades after her best years and I wonder if some of the so called stars of today would have that many a few hours after their death. Makes me appreciate the good ole days when stars had morals. Well, some did not as we have found out years later. RIP Annette. You left many wonderful memories for us.
She was beautiful and talented, and will be missed. And while I did my share of ogling, I say this as a fairly high-moral gentleman.
She was my first crush.
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