1. Darlene Gillespie was born on April 8,1941 and is a Canadian-American former child actress, most remembered as a singer and dancer on the original The Mickey Mouse Club television series from 1955 to 1959.
23 Facts About Darlene Gillespie
1. 2.
When Darlene Gillespie was less than a year old, her family moved to Los Angeles, California.
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Darlene Gillespie's younger sister Gina Gillespie was a child actress in television and film who eventually became a lawyer.
4.
At age ten, Darlene Gillespie started singing lessons with Glen Raikes, and took dance lessons with Burch Mann, founder of the American Folk Ballet Company.
5.
Darlene Gillespie became a naturalized US citizen in September 1956, at the age of fifteen.
6.
Darlene Gillespie auditioned for The Mickey Mouse Club in March 1955.
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Darlene Gillespie originally auditioned as a dancer, but she sang "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" and was hired.
8.
Darlene Gillespie was the leading female singer of the Mouseketeers, and appeared on the program for all three seasons of its original run.
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Darlene Gillespie was known for her singing talents, dancing, comedy sketches, and her country-inspired singing performances.
10.
Darlene Gillespie was cast as Dorothy Gale in a musical number from the proposed live-action Disney film The Rainbow Road to Oz on an episode of the Disneyland television series in September 1957; however, the movie was never made.
11.
The serial Annette, starring Funicello, was originally titled Annette and Darlene and co-starred Gillespie.
12.
For reasons unknown, the serial was retitled, and Darlene Gillespie was replaced by Judy Nugent as Annette's friend Jet.
13.
Darlene Gillespie did a noteworthy rendition of Elvis' "Love Me Tender".
14.
Darlene Gillespie recorded albums for Disney animated films, in which she sang and narrated stories such as Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty.
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Many of Darlene Gillespie's recordings sold for decades, a testimony to her remarkable singing voice and talents.
16.
In 1973, in an attempt to revive her singing career, Darlene Gillespie formed her own record company Alva Records.
17.
Darlene Gillespie released two 45s of country songs under the name Darlene Valentine.
18.
Darlene Gillespie had previously sustained a back injury from a fall that ended her medical career as a nurse.
19.
Darlene Gillespie was banned from participating in the 40th anniversary Mickey Mouse Club documentary because of her criticisms of Disney and Funicello.
20.
Darlene Gillespie later graduated from University with a nursing degree, specializing in heart surgery.
21.
Darlene Gillespie devoted her adult life in the medical field as a nurse.
22.
Darlene Gillespie was found guilty and sentenced to three days in jail and three years' probation.
23.
Darlene Gillespie was sentenced to two years in prison, but was released after serving only three months.