Ann-Margret Biography

She came to the United States with her mother when she was five, settling in the Chicago area. Her early singing dancing and training paid off when, working as cabaret singer, she was discovered by the legendary George Burns & propelled to international stardom as a recording artist, film star and live performer.

Famed for her sensuous looks and smoky voice, she was often cast as the singing sexpot, and made numerous films in the sixties, including her role as Rusty Martin opposite Elvis Presley in 'Viva Las Vegas'.

Academy Award nominations for her work in 'Carnal Knowledge' and rock-opera 'Tommy' in the 1970’s defined Ann-Margret as an actress. A tumble from the top of a stage during a nightclub performance in 1972 almost ended her career, but despite this life-threatening setback, she went on to develop her career even further, with live performances drawing record crowds in the Orient, Las Vegas and Miami. She also made more films and television Specials.

In the 1980s she won her first Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year Award, touring the country with her Vegas act. Her film career progressed with nominations for three Best Actress Emmys. At this time her actor husband Roger Smith contracted a life threatening illness, leaving her no option but to manage both a career and her husband’s survival.

In the 1990s Roger's health stabilised and new opportunities arose, including a live performance at the Radio City Music Hall. She also filmed two classics: 'Grumpy Old Men', and its sequel, 'Grumpier Old Men' with Walter Mathau, Jack Lemmon and Sophia Loren, cementing her status as a powerful “older” actress.

She published her autobiography 'Ann-Margret: My Story' in 1993. Her most recent appearance in action comedy 'Taxi', along with Queen Latifah and Giselle Bundchen, is due for release soon.