The name Ann-Margret evokes the glamour and talent of Hollywood's golden age. This Swedish-American performer, now 84, was the definitive triple threat of the 1960s and 1970s, captivating audiences with her acting, singing, and dancing prowess. More than just a celebrated sex symbol, she built a formidable career alongside legends like Elvis Presley and earned critical acclaim with two Academy Award nominations.
From Stage Sensation to Silver Screen Star
Ann-Margret's artistic journey began with dance lessons at the Marjorie Young School of Dance. Her early career saw her performing on stage and as part of the Las Vegas troupe, the Suttletones. A significant break came when comedy great George Burns featured her in his show. She signed a seven-year contract with 20th Century Fox in 1961 after a successful screen test, launching her film career.
Her early roles in Pocketful of Miracles (1961) with Bette Davis and the musical State Fair (1962) established her presence. However, it was her starring role in Bye Bye Birdie (1963) alongside Dick Van Dyke that catapulted her to major stardom. Her musical talents also shone on record; she scored a Billboard Top 40 hit with 'I Just Don't Understand' in 1961 and released the charting album Beauty and the Beard in 1964.
A Legendary Collaboration and Career Highs
Ann-Margret's career is indelibly linked to one of music's greatest icons. She starred opposite Elvis Presley in Viva Las Vegas (1964), a partnership that blossomed into a real-life romance. Following this, she worked with Steve McQueen in The Cincinnati Kid (1965). After a period of less successful films, she delivered a powerful, Oscar-nominated performance in Mike Nichols' Carnal Knowledge (1971) as the girlfriend of Jack Nicholson's character.
Her versatility was on full display throughout the subsequent decades. She starred in The Train Robbers (1973) with John Wayne, delivered a memorable turn in the rock opera Tommy (1975), and charmed audiences in the beloved comedies Grumpy Old Men (1993) and Grumpier Old Men (1995) with Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon. Notably, she played the mother of a five-year-old Angelina Jolie in the latter's 1982 screen debut.
A Lasting Legacy and Personal Life
Ann-Margret's career has shown remarkable longevity. In the 2000s, she appeared in The Break-Up (2006) with Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn, and more recently in Going in Style (2017). She even released her first rock album, Born to Be Wild, in April 2023. Personally, she was married to actor Roger Smith for 50 years, from 1967 until his passing in 2017.
From a Las Vegas showgirl to an Oscar-nominated actress and a charting recording artist, Ann-Margret's story is one of extraordinary talent and resilience. Her work with some of the biggest names in entertainment history and her ability to reinvent herself across six decades cement her status as a true Hollywood icon.
