Since 1924, Little Orphan Annie has been an American icon.
Actress Aileen Quinn adopted the role in 1982 for the John Huston-directed film, forever
cementing her place in pop culture.
But what's happened to the pint-sized star since then?
Starring in commercials
After the runaway success of Annie, Quinn became one of the most sought-after young
actresses of her time.
As a result, she was as in demand for commercial work as she was for mainstream TV and film
gigs.
In addition to doing a spot for Northern Bathroom Tissue, she made a memorable appearance for
Minute Maid orange juice, in which she wore full Annie regalia and assured a table full
of orphans that they would eventually be adopted.
"And it's going to happen for you, just like it happened for me."
"Yeahhh."
Young Quinn also did some pre-Annie gigs, like a spot for for Planters Cheese Balls
and one for a series of Mattel toys called Gorgeous Creatures Dolls.
Annie got razzed
The Golden Raspberry Awards, aka the "Razzies," were created by publicist John Wilson in the
early 1980s.
These "prizes" were designed to celebrate the worst films, actors, and directors of
the year.
Somehow Quinn managed to garner one of these none-too-prestigious accolades, as she was
nominated for a "Worst New Star" Razzie in 1983.
Yet interestingly enough, she also received Golden Globe nominations that same year, for
New Star of the Year and for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy.
At least she was in good company.
Mary Tyler Moore, Mia Farrow, and Arnold Schwarzenegger were also all nominated for Razzies that year.
Staying in showbiz
Though Annie was the biggest cinematic role of her life, Quinn continued working in film
and television for some time after snagging her most famous gig.
Some people consider Annie to be a Cinderella story of sorts.
And given her subsequent film roles, it would appear that Quinn enjoys fairy tales.
She starred in the 1988 musical The Frog Prince, based on the Brothers Grimm tale "The Frog
King."
She also voiced Dorothy Gale in a 1982 anime version of The Wizard of Oz.
As for TV, she showed up in an episode of The Great Space Coaster, a beloved '80s after-school
staple.
Looking back fondly
About 30 years after Annie, Quinn shared many memories of her time on the set.
In an interview for Playbill, she recalled,
"I was doing the Broadway show while I was simultaneously auditioning for the film ... Film
actually came much more naturally to me."
Quinn also recalled her endearing naïveté when it came to the major stars she was working
alongside.
In fact, she recognized Carol Burnett as "the lady from the Reading and Continental commercial"
as opposed to the star of her own variety show.
Quinn also noted her affectionate relationships with Albert Finney and Bernadette Peters.
And she shared a particularly special relationship with Tim Curry, despite how villainous his
character was in the film.
Generations of Annies
In 2012, Quinn participated in a fun and enlightening interview with Katie Couric that reunited
three generations' worth of Annies.
She sat down alongside Andrea McArdle, who played the first Annie on Broadway, and Lilla
Crawford, who starred in the 2012 Broadway revival, as the three of them reminisced about
a major part of their childhoods.
When discussing her favorite part about filming Annie, Quinn picked a song that all three
ladies had fond memories of.
"I love 'Hard Knock Life' too, even in the movie, we get to splash in all those buckets,
and the water comes out, so I love that."
The three Annie's all agreed that there's not a bad song in the show, and Quinn made
it clear how much she still loves watching the musical after all these years.
"And 'Maybe's' still my favorite, I still love 'Maybe'."
"Yeah."
"I can't wait to hear you sing that."
"People have always wondered, why, if is she trying to put this little girl to sleep, why
did I sing it at the top of my lungs?
Because we had no microphones."
Committing to music
As one might expect, Quinn's fantastic talent didn't simply diminish along with her childhood
stardom.
As of 2011, she's been the lead singer for the rockabilly group The Leapin' Lizards,
which was named after one of Little Orphan Annie's favorite catchphrases in the comic
strip.
They've played at some pretty impressive venues, including Los Angeles' famed Whisky a Go Go
nightclub and even Disneyland.
And if you want to check them out yourself, plenty of their performances are available
on YouTube.
Or you can track down one of their live shows and hope that the setlist includes at least
one classic from Annie.