Posted on June 24th, 2009

Annette Funicello, born October 22, 1942, in Utica, New York.  According to the Studio, Walt spotted her in a performance of Swan Lake at the Starlight Bowl in Burbank (just for the record, her dancing teacher insists it was The Nutcracker Suite), and she was given a two week test assignment as a Mouseketeer.  “Black hair, brown eyes. singer,  and dancer.”  Concerned that her last name might be difficult for audiences to remember, Annette considered changing her name to Annette Turner. Walt vetoed the idea, telling her that if she was talented, the name wouldn’t matter. Annette was the last of the original Mouseketeers to be hired, and would remain under contract to the Studio until 1970.

This information was collected from:

www.thewonderfulworldofdisneytelevision.yuku.com