Annette Funicello
Biography
Annette Funicello was an American actress and singer who began her professional career at 12 as one of the original Mouseketeers on The Mickey Mouse Club. Walt Disney discovered her at a Burbank dance recital where she danced the Swan Queen in Swan Lake, and she became one of the show's most popular cast members. She recorded pop singles including Tall Paul and Pineapple Princess, then made her feature debut in The Shaggy Dog (1959). At American International Pictures she starred with Frankie Avalon in Beach Party (1963), Muscle Beach Party (1964), and Bikini Beach (1964), becoming a teen idol. Other films included Babes in Toyland (1961), The Misadventures of Merlin Jones (1964), The Monkey's Uncle (1965), Fireball 500 (1966), and Head (1968). She later reunited with Avalon for Back to the Beach (1987). In 1992 she was named a Disney Legend, and in 1993 she received a motion picture star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
70years old at death
- Born Utica
- Died Bakersfield
- Star sign: LibraLast day of the sign, on the Scorpio cusp
- Annette Joanne Funicello (birth name)
Movie Career
- Films
- 14
- Career span
- 67 years1959 to 2026
Genres
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Big break
In 1955, when she was 12, Walt Disney spotted Funicello dancing the Swan Queen in Swan Lake at a recital at the Starlight Bowl in Burbank, California. He gave her a spot among the original Mouseketeers, picking her last and one of the few he chose himself.
A role that slipped away
Funicello turned down a role in Grease 2 because her job as a Skippy peanut butter spokesperson in commercials, which she began in 1979, made it impossible.
Big break
Funicello's singing career began when mail poured in about her performance of "How Will I Know My Love" in the Annette serial, prompting Walt Disney to issue it as a single and give her a recording contract.
Big break
Funicello was cast in her first beach movie at 21, and the film's success led American International Pictures to sign her to a seven-year contract and a series of beach party movies.
Beyond film
Funicello's record producer Tutti Camarata created "the Annette sound" by having her double-track her vocals, matching the second recording as closely as possible to the first for a fuller sound.
Annette Funicello movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
William Asher directed five of these films, Robert Stevenson two. Frankie Avalon appears in six of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Frankie Avalon's page
Harvey Lembeck's page
Tommy Kirk's page
Jody McCrea's page
John Ashley's page
Andy Romano's page
William AsherDirector, 5 films, 1963 to 1966
All films by William Asher
Robert StevensonDirector, 2 films, 1964 to 1965
All films by Robert Stevenson
Also three films together4 more actors
- Jerry BrutscheHow to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965), Pajama Party (1964) and Beach Party (1963)
- Alberta NelsonHow to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965), Pajama Party (1964) and Beach Party (1963)
- Candy JohnsonBikini Beach (1964), Muscle Beach Party (1964) and Pajama Party (1964)
- Donna LorenBikini Beach (1964), Muscle Beach Party (1964) and Pajama Party (1964)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Awards
Two awards and honors.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 1992 | Disney Legends | Honored | |
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.