ANN JILLIAN
BIOGRAPHY
A three-time Emmy Nominee and Golden Globe award winning actress, singer and motivational speaker, Ann is an accomplished performer in all areas of show business. She has starred in motion pictures, television, nightclubs and the Broadway stage. Ann Jillian has been a part of show business for most of her life.
Her interest in show business was fostered at age six by her Lithuanian-born mother when her family moved from her hometown of Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Los Angeles. After appearances on Art Linkletter’s TV Show’s, she obtained an agent. On her tenth birthday, she won the role of “Little Bo Peep” in Walt Disney’s film classic “Babes in Toyland.” Exactly one year later she played the memorable role of “Dainty June” in the film musical “Gypsy”, with Natalie Wood, Rosalind Russell and Karl Malden. Ann obtained a scholarship to the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera, which gave her a chance to study acting, and music with some of the finest teachers in the country.
Ann made her Broadway debut in the original company of the hit musical “Sugar Babies” with Mickey Rooney in 1979. After “Sugar Babies,” she headed straight from Broadway to Hollywood, a trip that has certainly proven worthwhile.
Ann has starred in many television movies and mini-series these past dozen years or so, including most recently, (April 1996), “My Son The Match Maker” for CBS by Alexander & Enright Prod’s, it will air near this coming Mother’s Day. Other TV movies are, “It’s Him Or Us,” (CBS & Warner Bros.), a true story exposing domestic violence, filmed on location in Utah, and “Heart of a Child” for NBC-TV, a true story about the first infant heart transplant. “The Disappearance of Vonnie,” also a true story, deals with domestic violence. A romantic comedy entitled “Fast Company” aired this past October. Ann is currently developing a two-hour movie of the week, “Pinned for Life,” a true story about a strong mother and son relationship. (For more TV movies see following pages.)
“Ann Jillian, In The Middle of Love” is a CD released by AER Music Group, where Ann displays her three octave vocal stylings on songs composed by the multi-talented Steve Allen. The Chicago Tribune raves the CD is a “class act between singer and composer.” It’s in limited supply in the better stores now.
In 1988 Ann won the “Best Actress” Golden Globe award for her role in the poignant NBC television film “The Ann Jillian Story” which also received two EMMY nominations for her and the film. Award winning actor, Tony LoBianco played Ann’s husband. This autobiographical film received great critical acclaim as well as a tremendous viewing audience (35 share, 23.8 rating), making it the highest-rated, number one, two-hour film for the 1987-88 season. Most importantly, “The Ann Jillian Story” brought Ann’s positive message about the hopeful side of breast cancer to millions of viewers.
Ann’s illustrious career also includes EMMY nominations for her performance in “Ellis Island,” a 1984 CBS mini-series that starred the late Richard Burton. And for starring in the life story of “Mae West,” a 1982 ABC TV film with music (Ann did all her own singing) for which she also received a Golden Globe nomination for best actress. Ann lost both the EMMY & Golden Globe to late Ingrid Bergman, who won that year for “Golda.” Ann considers it a personal career high for any actress to come in second to Ms. Bergman any day.
Some additional TV films and mini-series include, “Little White Lies” a romantic comedy filmed in Rome, directed by Anson Williams, “Original Sin” co-starring Charleton Heston, “Convicted: A Mother’s Story” co-starring the late Kiel Martin, “Killer In The Mirror,” co-starring the award winning actor Len Cariou, the musical mini-series “Alice In Wonderland” co-starring Sammy Davis Jr., Kim Novak and Eva Marie Saint to name a few.
She starred in the ABC TV series, “It’s A Living,” as “Cassie” the wise cracking waitress, and on NBC “Jennifer Slept Here” as well as her own “The Ann Jillian Series.”
Her feature film credits include the hits “Mr. Mom,” and classic musicals such as “Gypsy” (Warner Bros.), in the June Havoc role “Dainty June” and “Babes in Toyland” as “Little Bo Peep.”
Her very productive TV career started when she was in her teens co-starring roles in “Ben Casey,” “Twilight Zone,” and Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color,” as well as a semi-regular role on the hit series “Hazel,” starring Shirley Booth.
Ann has sung with the L.A. Pops, Atlanta, Delaware, Ohio, San Diego and Oklahoma City Symphony Orchestras and takes her concert act to stages around the world.
Coming up, Ann makes her third performance with the Delaware Symphony April 26 and 27, 1996. She headlines regularly in Atlantic City.
Ann has frequently performed with Bob Hope (Bob says she’s his favorite song and dance partner) including USO shows with him in Beirut, Christmas week 1983, as well as Christmas week during Desert Shield in Saudi, Arabia and the Gulf. She has performed on many of his TV specials including his 80th birthday in Paris, France and more recently Bob’s 90th birthday show, for NBC-TV, to name a few.
Ann was voted one of the most admired women of the world by Good Housekeeping Magazine’s 1990 poll. She is a volunteer performer for St. Vincent’s Meals On Wheels (feed the elderly program), a lifetime member of the American Cancer Society, and the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Ann also works for the USO, and the D.A.V. (Disabled American Veterans hospital visiting program) and many other charities. Ann is very proud of her past association with the late Doctor Jonas Salk in San Diego who was seeking a cure for HIV/aids at the time of his death.
She performs on of the most sought after motivational lecture programs on the circuit today. It’s titled, “The Winner In You” and is filled with humor, music, and information about life, health, and the joys of being a Mom. It’s major lecture with a mini concert!
Throughout her career, the talented Ann Jillian has avoided being slotted into any one category. As an actress, singer, and a humanitarian, be it drama, comedy, or music, she continues to grow and make friends along the way.
MISC;
With the birth of her first child, a son, Andrew Joseph H Nauseda Murcia the 4th, Ann has become the first known celebrity to survive breast cancer and to go on to give birth. There’s a cute story behind her son’s “long” name, ask Ann about it.