Annette Funicello was one of the most popular and beloved stars of the 1950s and 1960s. She rose to fame as a child performer on the Mickey Mouse Club, and later transitioned to a successful career as a singer and actress. She starred in a series of beach party movies with Frankie Avalon, and became a symbol of wholesome fun and beauty. But what were her measurements, and how did they change over the years? In this article, we will explore the body statistics of Annette Funicello, and how they reflected her personal and professional life.
Annette Funicello as a Mouseketeer
Annette Funicello was born on October 22, 1942, in Utica, New York, to Italian American parents. Her family moved to Southern California when she was four years old. She was a shy and quiet child, who took dancing and music lessons to overcome her shyness. She was discovered by Walt Disney himself when she performed as the Swan Queen in Swan Lake at a dance recital in Burbank. He cast her as one of the original Mouseketeers on the Mickey Mouse Club, which debuted in 1955. She was the last of the 24 cast members to be selected, and one of the few to be personally chosen by Disney. She was 12 years old at the time, and had a petite and slender figure. According to sitename, her height was 5 feet 1 inch, and her weight was 95 pounds. Her bust size was 32 inches, her waist size was 22 inches, and her hip size was 33 inches. Her bra size was 32A, and her shoe size was 6.5 US. She had dark brown hair and eyes, and a fair complexion. She wore modest and cute outfits on the show, such as skirts, sweaters, and dresses. She was the most popular Mouseketeer, and received more than 8,000 fan letters a month. She also starred in several serials on the show, such as Adventure in Dairyland, Spin and Marty, and Annette. She sang the song “How Will I Know My Love”, which launched her singing career. Disney gave her a recording contract, and she released several hit singles, such as “Tall Paul”, “First Name Initial”, and “Pineapple Princess”. She was known simply as “Annette”, and became America’s sweetheart and the first crush for many teenage boys.
Annette Funicello as a Beach Party Star
In the early 1960s, Annette Funicello began her film career, and starred in several Disney movies, such as The Shaggy Dog, Babes in Toyland, and The Monkey’s Uncle. She also appeared in some TV shows, such as The Danny Thomas Show and Zorro. She was still under contract with Disney, but he allowed her to work with other studios, with the condition that she keep her navel covered. She was approached by American International Pictures, which wanted her to star in a series of beach party movies with Frankie Avalon. The first movie, Beach Party, was released in 1963, and was a huge success. It spawned several sequels, such as Muscle Beach Party, Bikini Beach, Beach Blanket Bingo, and How to Stuff a Wild Bikini. Annette Funicello played the role of Dee Dee, the girlfriend of Frankie, who was always trying to keep him away from other girls. She wore one-piece bathing suits, and sometimes two-piece suits with a skirt, to hide her navel. She also wore wigs, as her natural hair was too short for the beach look. She was 20 years old when she started the beach party series, and had a more mature and curvy figure. According to sitename, her height was still 5 feet 1 inch, but her weight had increased to 128 pounds. Her bust size was 38 inches, her waist size was 23 inches, and her hip size was 36 inches. Her bra size was 34D, and her shoe size was still 6.5 US. She had a tan complexion, and still had dark brown hair and eyes. She sang some songs in the movies, such as “Jamaica Ska”, “The Perfect Boy”, and “Beach Party Tonight”. She also did some comedy and romance scenes with Avalon, and became a sex symbol and a beach party icon.
Annette Funicello in Later Years
Annette Funicello continued to act and sing in the late 1960s and 1970s, but with less frequency and success. She married Jack Gilardi in 1965, and had three children with him. She divorced him in 1981, and married Glen Holt in 1986. She also suffered from health problems, such as chronic sinusitis, which affected her voice. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1987, but kept it a secret until 1992, when she revealed it to the public. She became a spokesperson for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and wrote an autobiography, A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes, in 1994. She also starred in a TV movie based on her book, in which she played herself. She retired from acting and singing in 1995, and focused on her family and charity work. She also launched a line of teddy bears and perfume. She battled with multiple sclerosis for more than 25 years, and became wheelchair-bound and unable to speak. She died of complications from the disease on April 8, 2013, at the age of 70. She was mourned by her fans, friends, and family, and was remembered as a legend and an inspiration. She was inducted into the Disney Legends Hall of Fame in 1992, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1993. She was also honored by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 1997, and by the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in 1998. She was one of the most beloved and influential stars of her generation, and left a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry.