So Long Annette

Annette Funicello the ultimate beach goer died today. Annette made her start as one of the original Mouseketeers on Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse Club and went onto become one of the hottest teen stars in the Beach Party movies. Annette Funicello also made a name for herself as the spokesperson for Skippy peanut butter.
Walt Disney discovered her dancing the part of the Swan in a production of Swan Lake in Burbank at the age of twelve. He cast her in his new television show The Mickey Mouse Club and she went on to be the show's breakout star.
Annette Funicello announced her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in 1992. The complications from the disease was the cause of her death at age 70.
The perennial girl next door Ms Funicello was always the good girl and was happy with that role. Her best friend was another girl next door Shelly Fabares. The two women had been friends since their time as teen stars.
Annette Funicello was Walt Disney's favorite star he gave her a full length mink coat at one point. It was with his permission she was loaned out to make the Beach Party movies. He one request was she not wear a bikini.