Ann-Margret

Ann-Margret
Name	Ann-Margret
Caption	Ann-Margret in 1965
Birth name	Ann-Margret Olsson
Birth date	28 April 1941
Birth place	Stockholm, Sweden
Occupation	Actress, singer, dancer
Years active	1961–present
Spouse	Roger Smith, 1967, 2017

Ann-Margret. Ann-Margret Olsson is a Swedish-American actress, singer, and dancer renowned for her vibrant screen presence and versatile performances across film, television, and music. Rising to fame in the early 1960s, she became a major sex symbol and a critically acclaimed performer, earning accolades including five Golden Globe Awards and nominations for two Academy Awards and two Grammy Awards. Her career spans over six decades, marked by iconic roles in musicals, dramas, and comedies, alongside a successful recording career with RCA Victor.

Early life and education

She was born in Stockholm and emigrated with her family to the United States as a child, settling initially in New Jersey before moving to Wilmette, Illinois. Her artistic talents were evident early; she studied piano and performed in local talent shows, leading to a scholarship at Northwestern University. However, she left university to pursue professional entertainment, performing in nightclubs and touring with the George Burns revue, which paved her way to Hollywood.

Career

Her film debut came in Frank Capra's Pocketful of Miracles (1961), but her breakout role was in the musical Bye Bye Birdie (1963), which showcased her singing and dancing and earned her a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year. She solidified her status as a top box-office draw with films like Viva Las Vegas (1964) opposite Elvis Presley and The Cincinnati Kid (1965). A dramatic turn in Carnal Knowledge (1971) brought her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress nomination and critical acclaim. She later received a second Oscar nomination for Tommy (1975) and won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for the same role. Her television work includes acclaimed performances in The Two Mrs. Grenvilles (1987) and a recurring role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, earning several Primetime Emmy Award nominations. On stage, she starred in a national tour of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and performed her own Las Vegas residency shows at venues like Caesars Palace.

Personal life

She married actor and producer Roger Smith in 1967, and they remained together until his death in 2017; the couple had no children. She survived a near-fatal fall from a stage in Lake Tahoe in 1972, which required extensive facial reconstruction surgery. A longtime resident of Los Angeles, she has been involved with various charitable organizations, including support for USO shows and veterans' causes. Her autobiography, *Ann-Margret: My Story*, was published in 1994.

Filmography

A selected list of her notable film appearances includes: *State Fair* (1962), *Bye Bye Birdie* (1963), *Viva Las Vegas* (1964), *The Cincinnati Kid* (1965), *The Swinger* (1966), *Carnal Knowledge* (1971), *The Train Robbers* (1973), *Tommy* (1975), *Joseph Andrews* (1977), *The Villain* (1979), *The Return of the Soldier* (1982), *Twice in a Lifetime* (1985), *A New Life* (1988), *Grumpy Old Men* (1993), and *The Break-Up* (2006).

Discography

Her recording career with RCA Victor produced several albums and singles, including the studio albums *And Here She Is...Ann-Margret* (1961) and *Bachelors' Paradise* (1963). She charted with songs like "I Just Don't Understand" and "Sleep in the Grass." She also released soundtrack albums for films such as *Bye Bye Birdie* and *The Pleasure Seekers*, and later albums like *God Is Love: The Gospel Sessions* (2001) and *Ann-Margret's Christmas Carol Collection* (2004).

Awards and nominations

Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades, including five Golden Globe Awards (from thirteen nominations) and two Academy Award nominations. She has also been nominated for two Grammy Awards, five Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award. Other honors include a Saturn Award for Best Actress for *Tommy*, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Women in Film Crystal Award for outstanding contributions to the entertainment industry.

Category:American film actresses Category:American singers Category:American dancers Category:Swedish emigrants to the United States