After graduating high school in 1959, Ann-Margret enrolled at Northwestern University as a speech major. Within her first few months at college, she teamed up with three male students to form a jazz combo - The Suttletones. After her freshman year, she withdrew from school, and headed for the West Coast with her newly formed band. They spent most of their time performing at various cabaret clubs in Reno, Las Vegas, and Southern California. I think many of us didn't realize that she started out as a singer. She might have been called a sex symbol but she was the exception that actually had talent!

While performing in the lounge of the Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas, Ann-Margret was given the opportunity to audition for Hollywood veteran George Burns. Immediately after, he invited her to perform for a 10-night engagement at the Sahara Hotel, where the 18-year-old earned rave reviews. A succession of offers followed, including a record contract from RCA, and a seven-year film contract from 20th Century Fox.

She made her film debut as Bette Davis' daughter in Frank Capra's Pocketful of Miracles (1961), and released her first album And Here She Is , Ann-Margret. In 1963, she co-starred in the film adaptation of the Broadway play Bye Bye Birdie, alongside Dick Van Dyke.

(I sort of liked the idea that the character Birdie was based on Elvis and a year later she was acting with the real Elvis!)

In 1964’s Viva Las Vegas, Ann-Margret was noted for her performance as Elvis Presley's love interest, a role that she was rumored to play on and offscreen.

In 1968, Ann-Margret was contracted by CBS to host a number of television specials, which featured Lucille Ball, Danny Thomas, and Jack Benny. During her time with CBS, she continued to regularly perform in Vegas, where she was often referred to as "The Queen of Vegas" and "The Swedish Meatball."

Two years later Ann-Margret met and married the former star of ABC's 77 Sunset Strip, Roger Smith. Her new husband doubled as her personal manager. Under Smith's influence, she attempted to shed her sex-kitten image by taking on more serious roles. She succeeded when Mike Nichols cast her as the tragic Bobbie Templeton in 1971's Carnal Knowledge, which starred Jack Nicholson. Ann-Margret’s supporting role was considered a breakthrough dramatic performance, establishing her as a credible actress, as well as earning her an Oscar nomination.

She went on to act in films with some of the greats of Hollywood; John Wayne, Anthony Hopkins and Kirk Douglas.

I really respected the fact that she played women her age and didn't try to take on roles that were too young for her. Sometimes I see actresses playing the wife when they should be playing the grandmother. Ann Margaret knows who she is and is great at being who she is.

In the '90s Ann-Margret alternated between TV and films. She was introduced to a new generation with her role in the 1993 comedy hit Grumpy Old Men, and it's equally popular 1995 sequel Grumpier Old Men. She continued her television success, receiving her fourth Emmy nomination for the miniseries Queen (1993), in which she was barely recognizable in her portrayal of a woman who ages 60 years over the course of the film.

For over five decades, Ann-Margret has shown that she still has an undeniable appeal with audiences around the world. I don't think many of the young stars of today will even come close to lasting that long or will even be remembered 50 years from now.

Thank God my generation had Ann Margret!

She was, is, and forever will be....a STAR!

Until Next Time.. Be Yourself!!

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