all the king's women #24 - ann-margret

Ann-Margret Olsson was born in Stockholm, Sweden on April 28, 1941. her father, Gustav Olsson, moved to America for work in 1942, and she and her mother joined him four years later, to settle in Chicago, Illinois. Ann's interest in song and dance sparked early and continued through her highschool years. she attended Northwestern University where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, but left school early to tour with a singing group called "the Suttletones". the group's show at The Dunes, a popular club in Las Vegas, caught the ear of George Burns, who saw great potential in Ann. soon after, she had landed a record deal with RCA and a film contract with 20th Century Fox.


in 1961, Ann had a hit single called "I Just Don't Understand", and her film debut in Frank Capra's Pocket Full of Miracles, starring Bette Davis. but the role that would launch her to stardom came in 1963 as an all-American teenager from Sweet Apple, Ohio in Bye Bye Birdie, which was an instant success. that year Ann appeared on the cover of Life Magazine for the second time, and gueststarred on TV's the Flinstones as Ann-Margrock :D


the following year Ann was cast as Rusty Martin in Elvis' 15th film, Viva Las Vegas (originally titled Love in Las Vegas). she and Elvis had a lot in common, both privately and publicly, and the two hit it off almost immediately. both stars shared a strong belief in God and the importance of family. fame had come fast and fierce to each, and they found solace in the company of close friends and kin. Elvis and Ann had an undeniable chemistry both on screen and off. of Elvis, Ann is quoted to have said "He's an animal. Definitely an animal. A very interesting animal."

despite rumours of engagement, the two went their separate ways when filming had finished, though a life long friendship continued. Elvis sent a bouquet of flowers to every stage-show appearance Ann gave, until he died in 1977. she and her husband Roger Smith, whom she married in 1967, were among the few celebrities who attended Elvis' funeral.

Ann has received two Oscar nominations, the first for best supporting actress in Carnal Knowledge (1971) with Jack Nicholson, and later a best actress nod for her role in the Who's rock opera, Tommy (1975). over the years, Ann has had great success in all facets of showbiz, from television specials to Vegas venues. one of her biggest commercial successes came in 1993 with Grumpy Old Men, and it's equally successful sequel in '95. on August 21, 2010, she won her first Emmy Award for her guest appearance on Law & Order: SVU.

in 1972, Ann survived a dramatic 42-foot fall from a stage during a concert in Lake Tahoe. despite a broken arm, a shattered cheekbone, four other facial fractures, and a concussion, she was back on stage in Las Vegas, 10 weeks later to the day.