Ann Miller

Ann Miller was born on April 12, 1923 (some sources still indicate 1919) and died on January 22, 2004. She was an American dancer, singer and actress, who was christened Johnnie Lucille Collier in Chireno, Texas (some sources cite Houston, Texas).

Related Topics:
April 12 - 1923 - 1919 - January 22 - 2004 - Chireno, Texas - Houston, Texas

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She was considered a child dance prodigy. She was given a contract with RKO allegedly at the tender age of thirteen (she had told them she was eighteen). She became famous for her roles in films such as Kiss Me, Kate, Easter Parade and On the Town. Miller was famed for her speed in tap dancing; she claimed to be able to tap 500 times per minute.

Related Topics:
RKO - Kiss Me, Kate - Easter Parade - On the Town - Tap dancing

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Her father (from whom she would become estranged due to his infidelities to her mother) insisted on the name Johnnie because he had wanted a boy, but she was often called Annie. She took up dancing to help exercise her legs to help her rickets. Her film career effectively ended in 1956, but she remained active in the theatre. In 1979 she astounded audiences in the Broadway show Sugar Babies. In 2001 she took her last role as "Coco" in auteur director David Lynch's movie Mulholland Drive (film).

Related Topics:
Rickets - 1956 - 1979 - Broadway - Sugar Babies - David Lynch - Mulholland Drive (film)

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She died at the age of 80 (or 84) from cancer that had spread to her lungs and was interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.

Related Topics:
Holy Cross Cemetery - Culver City, California

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