Ann Margret Biography

This section contains Ann Margret Biography
Ann-Margret was born on April 28, 1941 in Valsjöbyn, Jämtland, Sweden. Her father migrated to the United States in 1942, while Ann-Margret and her mother followed four years later. Her mother then worked as a receptionist in a funeral parlor. Ann-Margret grew up in Wilmette, Illinois and studied at the Northwestern University, but she was not able to graduate. Ann-Margret became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1949.

Ann-Margret was discovered by George Burns while singing in a nightclub and from then on began a recording, and eventually, an acting career.

Ann-Margret gained success rather in the film industry which began in her film debut entitled Pocketful of Memories, led by Bette Davis, Hope Lange, and Glenn Ford in 1961. The film was a remake of the 1933 movie Lady for a Day, and was directed by Frank Capra. It was followed by another successful movie revival of Rodgers’ and Hammerstein’s State Fair. What earned Ann-Margret fame and stardom was in her starring role as the All-American teenager in Bye Bye Birdie. She as well guest starred in an episode of The Flintstones in 1963, voicing the animated version of herself, Ann Margrock.

Ann-Margret filmed Viva Las Vegas opposite Elvis Presley in 1964, and the onscreen chemistry turned out to be a real life love affair. Elvis ended the affair though, but remained to be a good friend to Ann-Margret until his death.

Ann-Margret continued to make comedy flicks including the spy spoof Murderer’s Row in 1966. She also took part in entertaining the US servicemen in Southeast Asia alongside Chuck Day and Mickey Jones. In 1971, Ann Margaret starred in the film Carnal Knowledge which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

In 1972, Ann Margaret incurred an accident when she fell 22 feet from the stage while performing at Lake Tahoe. After her recovery, Ann-Margret busied herself with live musical performances as well as dramatic film roles in which she received critical acclaim. In her film Tommy, Ann-Margret was nominated Best Actress in the Academy Awards, aside from 10 Golden Globe nominations, in which she won five of them, including Best Actress for Tommy. She also did TV specials including The Ann-Margret Show in 1968.

In 1994, Ann-Margret published her autobiography entitled Ann Margret: My Story. She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 6501 Hollywood Blvd. In 2001, she made her first onstage musical in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. She as well ranked 10th in Empire Magazine’s 100 Sexiest Stars in film history in 1995.

Ann-Margret has been married to Roger Smith since 1967.

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