Ann Miller was one of the most talented and popular dancers in Hollywood history. She starred in many musicals and comedies, dazzling audiences with her speed, grace, and charisma. She was also a survivor, overcoming many personal and professional challenges throughout her life. But what was the cause of her death, and how did she cope with her final illness? Here is a look at the life and death of Ann Miller, the star-crossed dancing sensation.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Ann Miller was born Johnnie Lucille Collier on April 12, 1923, in Houston, Texas. She suffered from rickets as a child, which weakened her legs. To strengthen them, her mother enrolled her in dance classes when she was five years old. She soon discovered her passion and talent for tap dancing, and became a child prodigy.
When she was nine, her parents divorced after she caught her father cheating on her mother. She and her mother moved to Los Angeles, where they struggled to make ends meet. Ann started working as a dancer in nightclubs when she was 11, lying about her age and adopting the stage name Ann Miller.
She was discovered by Lucille Ball and Benny Rubin, who helped her get a contract with RKO Pictures. She made her film debut in New Faces of 1937, and then appeared in Stage Door (1937) with Ginger Rogers and Katharine Hepburn. She also had a role in Room Service (1938) with the Marx Brothers.
Rise to Stardom
Ann Miller left RKO in 1940 and signed with Columbia Pictures, where she became one of their top stars. She appeared in many musicals and comedies, such as You Can’t Take It with You (1938), Too Many Girls (1940), Reveille with Beverly (1943), Jam Session (1944), and Eadie Was a Lady (1945). She also performed on Broadway in George White’s Scandals (1940) and Panama Hattie (1942).
In 1948, she moved to MGM, where she reached the peak of her fame. She starred in some of the most acclaimed musicals of the era, such as Easter Parade (1948) with Fred Astaire and Judy Garland, On the Town (1949) with Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra, Kiss Me Kate (1953) with Howard Keel, and The Opposite Sex (1956) with June Allyson.
She was known for her incredible speed and skill as a tap dancer, often performing complex routines at 500 taps per minute. She also had a vibrant personality and a glamorous style, wearing elaborate costumes and wigs. She was nicknamed “the girl with the million-dollar legs” because of their insured value.
Personal Life and Struggles
Ann Miller’s personal life was not as happy as her professional one. She married three times, but none of her marriages lasted more than three years. Her first husband was Reese Llewellyn Milner, a millionaire heir whom she married in 1946. They had a son named Reese Jr., who died shortly after birth due to a blood transfusion error. They divorced in 1947.
Her second husband was William Moss, an oilman whom she married in 1958. They divorced in 1961 after he abused her physically and emotionally. Her third husband was Arthur Cameron, a broker whom she married in 1961. They divorced in 1962 after he embezzled money from her.
She also had several affairs with famous men, such as Howard Hughes, Louis B. Mayer, Conrad Hilton, Glenn Ford, Mickey Rooney, and Kirk Douglas. She later said that she never found true love or happiness in her relationships.
She also faced many health problems throughout her life. She suffered from hearing loss due to an explosion on the set of You Can’t Take It with You. She broke her back twice while performing stunts for Easter Parade and Lovely to Look At (1952). She had several miscarriages and underwent a hysterectomy. She also battled alcoholism and depression.
Later Years and Death
Ann Miller retired from films in 1956, but continued to work on stage and television. She made a comeback on Broadway in 1979 with Sugar Babies, a musical revue co-starring Mickey Rooney. The show was a huge success and ran for more than three years. She also appeared in several TV shows and movies, such as The Love Boat (1979-1986), Murder, She Wrote (1985-1991), Home Improvement (1993), That’s Entertainment! III (1994), Mulholland Drive (2001), etc.
In 1998, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments, but the disease spread to her bones. She refused to give up hope or stop working until the end. She died on January 22, 2004, at the age of 80, in Los Angeles, California. She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Ann Miller was one of the most beloved and admired stars of Hollywood’s golden age. She left behind a legacy of dazzling performances and unforgettable songs. She also inspired generations of dancers and entertainers with her courage and perseverance. She once said, “I never played a victim. I went out there and danced.” According to The Daily Telegraph, she was one of the greatest actors never to have received an Academy Award nomination
