When she was cast in her first beach movie, Walt Disney asked her to not wear a bikini and instead wear a one-piece swimsuit because she had an image to uphold. She agreed.

Is the best friend of Shelley Fabares.

Her favorite TV series was "Zorro" (1957). For her birthday one year, Walt Disney (who knew she was a fan of the show) arranged to have her guest star on one episode.

Daughter of Joe Funicello and Virginia Funicello, mother of Gina Portman, Jack Gilardi Jr. and Jason Gilardi, mother-in-law of John Portman.

Is portrayed by Eva La Rue in A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: The Annette Funicello Story (1995) (TV).

In 1977, Annette played the Blue Fairy in Disneylands "Main Street Electrical Parade"

Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1987.

When she made the various beach pictures for American International Pictures (AIP), she was still technically under contract to Disney, doing the AIP films on a loan-out basis, something of which Walt Disney always emphatically reminded her.

Her son, Jason Gilardi, is the drummer for the rock band "Caroline's Spine", which was once signed to the Disney-owned label Hollywood Records. He also appears as "Himself" in her biopic, A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: The Annette Funicello Story (1995) (TV).

Measurements: 36-22-36 as stated by her on her 18th birthday (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine).

Underwent brain surgery to slow down the tremors which result from her MS. Is recovering at home. [November 1999]

When she began working for the Disney studio, she suggested to her employer that she change her Italian family name of Funicello to something more "American" as was often done in those days. Walt Disney vehemently argued against this idea, saying that her own name was actually an asset because it was so unique that no one who heard it would ever be able to forget it and convinced the young actress to retain it.

Paul Anka wrote the song "Puppy Love" about his romance with her.

Funicello`s best friend is Shelley Fabares. Shelley and Annette have been friends since they were young teenagers, and Shelley was a bridesmaid at Annette`s first wedding.

Is portrayed by Eva La Rue in A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: The Annette Funicello Story (1995) (TV).

In 1977, Annette played the Blue Fairy in Disneylands "Main Street Electrical Parade"

When she was cast in her first beach movie, Walt Disney asked her to not wear a bikini and instead wear a one-piece swimsuit because she had an image to uphold. She agreed.

Her favorite TV series was "Zorro" (1957). For her birthday one year, Walt Disney (who knew she was a fan of the show) arranged to have her guest star on one episode.

When she made the various beach pictures for American International Pictures (AIP), she was still technically under contract to Disney, doing the AIP films on a loan-out basis, something of which Walt Disney always emphatically reminded her.

Daughter of Joe Funicello and Virginia Funicello, mother of Gina Portman, Jack Gilardi Jr. and Jason Gilardi, mother-in-law of John Portman.

Her son, Jason Gilardi, is the drummer for the rock band "Caroline`s Spine", which was once signed to the Disney-owned label Hollywood Records. He also appears as "Himself" in her biopic, A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: The Annette Funicello Story (1995) (TV).

Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1987.

Underwent brain surgery to slow down the tremors which result from her MS. Is recovering at home. [November 1999]