RIP Annette

[Justin Jett]

Sad

Former ‘Mouseketeer’ Annette Funicello Dead at 70
April 08, 2013 Remembered
Actress Annette Funicello, best known as a child performer on the original “Mickey Mouse Club” and for her beach movies with Frankie Avalon, died on Monday. She was 70.


Getty Images
Her family confirmed to “Extra” that Funicello died from complications of multiple sclerosis. They were by her side when she was taken off life support. Funicello had been in an MS coma for years.

The perky star got her start at 12 years old as an original Mouseketeer. As a teenager, she transitioned to a successful career as a singer with his like "Tall Paul" and "Pineapple Princess.”

She then gained popularity when she starred with teen idol Frankie Avalon in a series of "Beach Party" movies in the mid-1960s.

In 1992, Annette announced she had MS, a secret she kept for many years.

Funicello was married to her first husband, Jack Gilardi, from 1965 until 1981, and had three children. In 1986, she married California harness racing horse breeder/trainer Glen Holt.

 

[darrengs]

I just read this, very sad. RIP

 

[Patrickprincess]

I just read this, very sad. RIP

So sad. She is now with Uncle Walt.

 

[Tinker Pam]

My heart is broken, I'm crying at work as I read the news.
RIP Annette, no more pain or suffering. And back with Uncle Walt.
Love and Prayers to her family

 

[Kwaschitz]

I am actually crying. I remember as a kid when the Disney Channel first came on the air, I was so excited to watch the reruns of the original Mickey Mouse Club (and though I'm more the age of MMC, Annette remains the quintessential Mousekateer and my absolute favorite)

 

[csm101]

Terrible news, God bless Annette. Peace to your family at this sorrowfull time

 

[RyMacJ]

RIP Annette. I hate hearing this, but at least she isn't suffering anymore.

 

[Disney Anna]

Love her so much. Love her as an Italian-American; for her MMC days; for being Walt's favorite; for her movies with Frankie Avalon.

Glad she is out of pain. Hope she is with Walt right now.


RIP.

 

[mikelan6]

So sad.

 

[lugnut33]

Yup, sad news indeed. From everything I've ever heard she was a super-nice person on and off the stage.

 

[kbelle8995]

Very Sad to hear this. A truly classy lady. I grew up watching old MMC and her movies.

A great loss to the Disney family.

Ironically the Disney channel is premiering a movie in a few months inspired by Annette's beach movies. Hope they take a moment to pay respects to the star of Beach Blanket Bingo as well as the best Mouseketeer.

 

[AnnetteF]

As a kid, I always wanted to be just like her. Mickey Mouse Club was before my time, but I loved watching her in the many Disney movies and Beach party movies and seeing the MMC reruns! I just loved her! I chose my username on these boards as a tribute to her.

I like to think that she is now with her parents and Walt Disney and she is singing and dancing again.

RIP Annette.

 

[dpic]

Very nice article in the NY Times. One part gave me a laugh:

But she did not receive special treatment. When she lost a pair of felt mouse ears, she was charged $55. It was deducted from her $185 weekly paycheck.

$55 for a pair of used Mouse Ears? And, I complain about the price of food...

RIP to an incredible inspiration and a life-long ambassador for Disney.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

*every guys first love and every girls best friend*

RIP Annette, say hi to Uncle Walt for us.


Watched her on the real MMC after school every afternoon at 4 pm.

AK

 

[lugnut33]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcOp8jRQYCQ

 

[Cyrano]

Sad news

 

[baby1disney]

I remember back when I was in either middle school or high school, I did a report on her and got an A on it!! I think that's when I really start liking Disney even more than I had already.

I'm just glad that she's no longer suffering and even tho she died at a young age, her body wasn't and that's ashame. I think I watched something one time and she stated that she still felt young and youthful and just wished that her body would agree LOL!! That was her laughing about it. She will be greatly missed, but we all know that there will be even more pixie dust falling down from heaven!!!

 

[doconeill]

Some of my earliest memories of watching TV was of sitting with my Dad and watching MMC with Annette and the rest...

 

[WaltD4Me]

 

[kbelle8995]

Beautiful and so sad.