Did ever wonder what happened to sex kitten Ann Margaret?
The stunning beauty - a sizzling sexy dance partner of the late-great Elvis Presley (brief romantic fling?) - just wrapped up a stint on CSI after years of steering clear of the glaring spotlight.
Film buffs will recall that Ms. Margaret starred opposite Elvis in Viva Las Vegas.
The classic movie is regarded by many as one of Presley's best movies, which was attributed to the strong screen attraction between the "King" and leading lady Ann Margaret.
The box-office hit - which boasted ten extravagant musical numbers, was posted at No. 11 in the Top 20 Movie Box Office offerings of 1964.
The breathy star always remained respectful of “El” - even after he passed to spirit - and never tried to capitalize on her relationship (in-front-of or behind the cameras) with the King (unlike the other hangers-on in the inner circle).
In fact, in her own memoirs, Ms. Margaret referred to Elvis as her "soul mate".
The legendary hip-swiveller was quite fond of the gorgeous Ms. Margaret, too.
No wonder!
Ms. Margaret has always been a class act.
Fans may recall that the fifty’s triple threat (dancer/singer/actress) was unexpectedly sidelined for a short period because of a serious injury she suffered due to a terrible stage accident which broke a few bones and shook her up somewhat.
On Sunday, September 10 (1972) while performing at Lake Tahoe, the legend fell 22 feet from an elevated platform to the stage and suffered a broken left arm, cheekbone and jawbone.
At the UCLA treatment center in Los Angeles, the star received meticulous reconstructive surgery to her face that required wiring her mouth shut and putting her on a liquid diet.
The dazzling talent was unable to work for ten weeks, but ultimately - trooper that she was - managed to return to work shortly after that to continue her contractual commitments.
Needless to say, the pretty star was valiant through it all.
I have always had a soft spot in my heart for the stunning beauty.
Ann-Margaret established her “acting chops” to serious critics in a break-out role in "52 Pick Up" starring opposite Roy Scheider.
It's a role worth catching on film today, if you’re a big Ann-Margaret fan.
Actor John Glover put it succinctly when he quipped of Margaret’s character in the flick:
“She’s still got a lot of good mileage on her.”
That appears to apply today, as the ET interview proved this week, when she chatted up the host about her acting gig on CSI.
In spite of Entertainment Tonight’s sly effort to get up-close - and surreptitiously establish whether the star may have had plastic surgery in recent days - Ms. Margaret held up well under close scrutiny.
If Joan Rivers is a poster woman for what can go wrong under the knife, Ms. Margaret is an example of what a surgeon - with expert skilled hands - can accomplish.
Ann-Margret was born in Stockholm, but spent her childhood years in Valsjöbyn, a small rural locale she described as a small town of lumberjacks and farmers.
Ann-Margret moved to the United States in November 1946 with her mother and father.
They settled just outside of Chicago in Wilmette (Illinois).
Ms. Margaret showed great dance ability when she first took lessons at the Marjorie Young School of Dance, and so, her supportive parents helped nudge her in that direction.
In 1961, she was invited to take a screen test at 20th Century Fox and was subsequently signed to a seven-year contract.
Ann-Margret made her film debut in "Pocketful of Miracles" starring opposite with Bette Davis and directed by Frank Capra.
There was no looking back for Ann-Margaret!
Miss Margaret married her long-time Business Manager - Roger Smith - and the two have savored a lasting romantic relationship.
They have cut a fine swath together at appearances around Tinsel Town over the years.
In recent years, the aging beauty has been a bit reclusive, so it was a joy to catch clips of her upcoming stint on the highly-rated drama show - CSI - in which she plays a philanthropist who is stalked by a maniac.
Congrats on the juicy part, Ann-Margaret!
