Ann Miller

Born: 12 April 1923
Where: Houston, Texas

Although she never achieved the status of a true Hollywood star, Miller is recalled as a whirlwind tap dancer and engagingly brash comedienne.

At about five, she began tap dancing, and was spotted by a talent scout. She lied about her age (by adding four years) to land a seven-year contract which saw her in several films, including New Faces of 1937.

Her performance as Ginger Rogers' dancing partner in Stage Door brought her attention and led to a string of supporting roles throughout the decade, including Room Service.

Miller played the would-be ballerina in You Can't Take It With You but was often wasted in lesser material. She did enliven a number of Columbia "B" musicals of the 40s like Reveille with Beverly, and came into her own in a string of second leads at MGM in the late 40s and early 50s.

She danced with Fred Astaire in Easter Parade and appeared in On the Town, but one of her best roles was in the film version of the Cole Porter musical Kiss Me Kate.

By 1956, however, her film career had stalled, and Miller turned to television. In 1969, she was one of the stars who succeeded Angela Lansbury in the role of Mame on Broadway.

Miller continued to appear on stage in musicals and comedies before returning to the spotlight on Broadway alongside Mickey Rooney in 1979's Sugar Babies, which she went on tour with.

In 1998, Miller returned to the stage to play Carlotta Campion belting out "I'm Still Here" in the Paper Mill Playhouse production of Follies.

She had a featured role in the David Lynch-directed Mulholland Drive, which was screened at Cannes in 2001.