We all know that stars like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera started out in the Mickey Mouse Club, but the show has been creating stars long before those two icons were even a thought in the world. In fact, this is how ’50s teen star Annette Funicello got her claim to fame.
Funicello was adored by the fans and by Walt himself, who gave her the role of Anita Cabrillo in “Zorro,” the TV show. By the 1980s, Funicello had a well-established career as an actress and musician, but it came to an abrupt end when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. In 2013, Funicello passed away.
Jack Wild (the 1960s-1970s)
Jack Wild made his acting debut as Dodger in the musical "Oliver!" in England in 1968. He was 16 at the time and was already nominated for an Oscar for that role. His stature in the industry at the time sent him to the US for a role in the kids' show "H.R. Pufnstuf" — a role which paid him $1 million!
Success took its toll on Wild, who smoked and drank regularly. At 24 years old, the problem became so severe he could no longer act. After an extensive rehab process, he regained enough strength for short on-screen performances. He passed away in 2006 after battling aggressive cancer.
Luke Halpin (1960s)
Animal-based movies and TV shows like "Flipper" were incredibly trendy back in the 1960s. We don't know why exactly - they just were. And then "Jaws" came along in the '70s - but we digress. The franchise "Flipper" was maybe named after the dolphin, but Luke Halpin was definitely the star playing the role of Sandy Ricks.
Halpin stuck with the character for the rest of the franchise as well as the TV show. He kept acting until shifting into stuntwork in the 1980s. Now well into his 70s, Halpin and his wife live in Florida. Unfortunately, he is battling both stage five neck and head cancer (in remission) and Alzheimer’s disease.
Frankie Avalon (1950s-1960s)
Frankie Avalon had the eyes of many young women on him in the ‘50s after singing "Venus." Other hits were just up ahead, topping charts left and right. Wanting to appeal to teens and adults alike, he didn't want to be categorized as a teen idol.
He later starred alongside Annette Funicello in the "Beach Party" movies. Avalon tried to appeal to different audiences in the 1970s with the song "Beauty School Dropout" from the "Grease" soundtrack. Now in his 80s, he doesn't perform much apart from small guest appearances. He did, however, release a cookbook! We can't help but wonder what dishes he has come up with.
Paul Newman (1960s)
Actors who pursue careers in other fields are nothing new, but Paul Newman was probably one of the first ones who did it well enough to become a pro. Even with roles in iconic films like "The Hustler" and "Cool Hand Luke," Newman still made time for another career as a race car driver.
He was pretty good at it, too, and even won some titles. Paul Newman worked with some of the very best actors in his heyday, including the likes of Tom Cruise and Robert Redford. He retired from acting in 2007 and passed away a year later at 83 years old after fighting lung cancer.