Likable platinum blonde who made a name for herself as the vivacious bombshell opposite Mickey Rooney in the Broadway musical revue "Sugar Babies" (1979). A former child performer who made her film debut as Bo Peep in "Babes in Toyland" (1961) and was featured as the young June Havoc ("Dainty June") in the 1962 film musical "Gypsy", Jillian starred on the TV series "It's a Living" (1980-82; 1985-86, as "Making a Living") and "Jennifer Slept Here" (1983-84). She played sexual pioneer and comedienne "Mae West" in a 1982 TV film biography and portrayed herself in the autobiographical "The Ann Jillian Story" (1988), which dealt frankly with her battle against breast cancer.
Profession(s):
Actor, singer, lecturer, cocktail waitress, salesperson, answering service employee
Sometimes Credited As:
Ann Jura Nauseda
Family
father:Joseph Nauseda (Lithuanian)
husband:Andrew L Murcia (born c. 1941; married c. 1976; previously married; has daughter Denise (born c. 1963) by his first wife)
son:Andrew Joseph Murcia (born February 3, 1992)
Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Made for Television Movie "The Ann Jillian Story" 1989
DRAMA-LOGUE Award "Sugar Babies" 1979
1988 Starred as herself in the autobiographical TV-movie, "The Ann Jillian Story"
1985 Underwent a bilateral modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer
1965 - 1966 TV debut as Millie Ballard on series "Hazel"
1963 Stage debut as Dainty June in "Gypsy" at Melodyland, Anaheim, California
1962 Played Dainty June (Havoc) in film musical, "Gypsy" at age 11
1961 Film debut as Little Bo Peep in "Babes in Toyland"
Family moved to California when Jillian was six to promote her career
Made TV debut on "Art Linkletter's House Party"
Landed first Broadway musical role opposite Mickey Rooney in "Sugar Babies"
Appeared in continuing role as Cassie Cranston on TV series, "It's a Living"
Wrote theme song, "Most Beautiful Ghost" and played title character on TV series, "Jennifer Slept Here"
Reprised role of Cassie Cranston on "Making a Living"
Lectured about experience with cancer
