LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The late Annette Funicello, one of Disney's earliest stars, was honored Monday, posthumously, in a special ceremony on the Disney Studios lot.
Sound stage No. 1 was dedicated as the Annette Funicello Stage. It's the place where Funicello became a child TV star on Disney's "The Mickey Mouse Club" in the 1950s. During her days with Disney, Annette was a fan favorite.
Along with her "Mouseketeer" duties, Funicello recorded several albums, made other Disney movies, and then exchanged her mouse ears for some fun in the sun as she teamed with Frankie Avalon in a series of hit "Beach Party" movies, always playing the "good girl" role.
The stage dedication is a reminder of her contributions to television history.
"I think it's really important for companies not just to look ahead and to think about innovation and all the changes that are going on in the world and our businesses, but to look back at the heritage and the legacy and everything that really created the value in the first place," said Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of the Walt Disney Company.
