Underwent brain surgery to slow down the tremors which result from her MS. Is recovering at home. [November 1999] Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1987. Her son, Jason Gilardi, is the drummer for the rock band, "Caroline's Spine", who were once signed to the Disney owned label, Hollywood Records. He also appears as 'himself' in her autobiographical movie. Daughter of Joe Funicello and Virginia Funicello, mother of Gina Portman, Jack Gilardi Jr. and Jason Gilardi, mother-in-law of John Portman. Measurements: 36-22-36 as stated by her on her 18th birthday (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine). When she made the various beach pictures for American International Pictures (AIP), she was still technically under contract to Disney, doing the AIP films on a loan-out basis, something of which Walt Disney always emphatically reminded her. Her favorite TV series was "Zorro" (1957). For her birthday one year, Walt Disney (who knew she was a fan of the show) arranged to have her guest star on one episode. When she was cast in her first beach movie, Walt Disney asked her to not wear a bikini and instead wear a one-piece swimsuit because she had an image to uphold. She agreed. In 1977, Annette played the Blue Fairy in Disneylands "Main Street Electrical Parade" Is portrayed by Eva La Rue in A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: The Annette Funicello Story (1995) (TV). Is the best friend of Shelley Fabares. Paul Anka wrote the song "Puppy Love" about his romance with her. When she began working for the Disney studio, she suggested to her employer that she change her Italian family name of Funicello to something more "American" as was often done in those days. Walt Disney vehemently argued against this idea, saying that her own name was actually an asset because it was so unique that no one who heard it would ever be able to forget it and convinced the young actress to retain it.
