Ann Miller dead at 81

[ringmastery]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040122/ap_on_en_ot/obit_ann_miller_3

By BOB THOMAS, Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES - Ann Miller (news), the raven-haired, long-legged actress and dancer whose machine-gun taps won her stardom during the golden age of movie musicals, died Thursday of lung cancer. She was 81.

Miller died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said Esme Chandlee, her longtime friend and former publicist.

A onetime childhood dance prodigy, she reached the peak of her film career at MGM in the late 1940s and early '50s with "On the Town," "Easter Parade" and "Kiss Me Kate."

She remained a dazzling tapper in her 60s and earned millions on Broadway and touring with Mickey Rooney (news) in "Sugar Babies," a razzmatazz tribute to the era of burlesque.

[bspence]

1. Who's Ann Miller?

And why are we talking about her at DU?

[bspence]

2. ^^ Not trying to be rude btw. Just curious. n/t

[pscot]

5. She had the role of Bianca

in Kiss Me Kate, a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew. Not a bad film, if you like musicals. We talk about everything around here, because that's what Democrats do.

[my cuppa tea]

17. She also played Coco

in Mulholland Drive, I believe.

[0007]

20. I remember her as Coco, in Mulholland Drive and a few of her musicals

She sure changed a lot.

[FlaGranny]

4. Who's Ann Miller?

www.geocities.com/Hollywood/9766/miller.html

[kstewart33]

8. Ann Miller was a great dancing star

In movies in the 1940s and 50s. No other woman could tap better or faster than she did. And in her 60s, she looked out of this world. We post the deaths of other Hollywood notables on DU. She was very much one of them.

[Sapphocrat]

11. Get thee to a video store, young friend...

...and rent "On the Town."

[Say_What]

31. Photo for U... and link to slide show

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/040123/photos_ts/mdf454123


Actress Ann Miller is shown in this undated publicity photograph. Miller, who starred in such Hollywood musical classics as 'Easter Parade,' 'On the Town' and 'Kiss Me Kate,' died after bout with lung cancer in Los Angeles, January 22, 2004. (Turner Classic Movies via Reuters)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. RIP to a fabulous talent

[JitterbugPerfume]

6. boy , you know you are old when

someone says "Who is Ann Miller"

[FlaGranny]

9. That's what I was thinking.

[theHandpuppet]

26. Same Here...

How sad that someone should actually ask, "Ann who?"

RIP, Annie. You were a great one.

[Desertrose]

7. Ann Miller lives in my town...how sad...

last time I saw her she looked really fragile. (I think she had more than one home-one here in AZ and in CA)

You would think with those legs she would be tall but she was very petite.
She was one helluva dancer and quite the personality.

Keep tappin' where ever you are , Ann!

Peace
DR

[Say_What]

25. I saw her and Mickey Rooney in "Sugar Babies" on Broadway in NY

about 20 years ago. Even in their 60s they were both terrific dancers.

[Sapphocrat]

10. Thanks for a lifetime of wonderful memories, Ms. Miller!

And so the ranks of MGM greats grow ever thinner. But, as my SO would say, she had "good innings."

I met Ms. Miller in 1999 -- definitely up in years, but that spark was very evident. I should've complimented her on her memorable Campbell's Soup commercial, too. :)

R.I.P.!

[BiggJawn]

18. Oh, the Soup Commercial!

Now I remember! I couldn't remember what the spot was for. hubby comes in asks "what's for supper?" and the big production number starts....
I was a bit surprised to find out she was only 5' 5" tall.

[mac56]

32. Not to split hairs-

but it was "Great American Soups", not Campbell's.

The commercial was directed by Stan Freberg.

Carry on -

[Liberal Veteran]

12. Crap, if a Miller had to die, why wasn't it Zell or Dennis?

That too bad.

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

13. she was hot!

"on the town" was just on the other day.

probably the sexiest dancer of them all.

[AlGore-08.com]

14. R.I.P. Ann Miller

You will be missed

[CBHagman]

15. I saw her on stage once.

It was during the 1970s. She was still utterly vibrant, as many of my fellow baby boomers will agree. Remember the soup commercial she did in which she performed a production number in her kitchen?

Anyway, I recommend that you go out and rent some videos. If you have cable, run a search at the Turner Classic Movies website and find out when her films are going to be on. Surely they'll do a tribute to her, too.

www.turnerclassicmovies.com

I've seen her in "You Can't Take It with You," "On the Town," and "Kiss Me, Kate."

On edit: She and Gregory Hines are probably dancing up a storm in heaven tonight with Gene Kelly and the rest of the gang. Dance in peace, Ms. Miller.

[yankeeinlouisiana]

24. I didn't realize she was in

"You Can't Take it With You". That's one of my favorite plays/movies.

RIP Ms. Miller.

[Pale Blue Dot]

16. She was a friend of my Grandfather's

They were in the road company of "Sugar Babies" together about 20 years ago. She was a very nice woman.

RIP, Ann.

[The Sushi Bandit]

19. She was a total BABE!!

I Love her movies...

Be in peace Ann..

Love, Mark

[kskiska]

21. I remember her once on the old Art Linkletter show

She was asked why she wore her hair that way – with the big wing on the side. She said that if she didn't, no one would recognize her!! I guess she liked the attention. She was a great dancer, and very vivacious.

[hlthe2b]

22. She was quite a dame... And sadly, another victim of tobacco.....

RIP, MS. Ann!

[Aidoneus]

23. forget it

edited.

[devilgrrl]

27. She was 81...

and poor non-smoker John Ritter, kicked it at age 51...

I'm not disputing you just pointing something else out.

[hlthe2b]

28. True and she lived a good long life.....

But as one who has seen several people die of lung cancer, this is a really horrendous way to go. For me, to die of an aneurism--even at an early age-- would be much preferred to the horrible, suffering death from lung cancer (especially now, when we know it can be prevented). Just my thoughts...

[devilgrrl]

29. I see what your saying but Bobby Chandler died of lung cancer as well...

he was also a non-smoker and was only 47 when he died. :shrug:

[shrike]

30. Anybody remember her on "laugh-in"?

Most of you are too young for Laugh-In, but us oldsters remember Dan Rowan, Dick Martin, Goldie Hawn, etc. Dick always used to tell crazy stories about his aunt Ann. Then one day, his "aunt" came to visit, and it was the beautiful, tap-dancing Ann Miller.