Annette Joanne Funicello (1942-2013) was an Italian American actress and singer. As a child she used to take dancing and music lessons and was discovere by Walt Disney at the age of 12. She signed a contract with his studio and soon became popular as a Mousekeeter on The Mickey Mouse Club. In Walt Disney Presents: Annette she sang a song that started her singing career. In the 1960s Annette was a teen idol famous for roles in beach party movies, but since the 70s she focused on raising her family till her death of multiple sclerosis in 2013.