In 1964 Elvis was already a legend – and 23-year-old Ann-Margret was on her method to turning into one, too. In a profession that is spanned greater than six a long time, she's developed from '60s intercourse image to a Hollywood grand dame.
Correspondent Tracy Smith requested, "How do you suppose it's that you have been capable of work steadily for, what, greater than 5 a long time?"
"I suppose I simply have a whole lot of power," Ann-Margret replied.
Ann-Margret and Elvis Presley in "Viva Las Vegas":
Appears she all the time did: a local of Sweden, Ann-Margret's first break got here in 1960, when legendary comic George Burns employed her for his Vegas act. However earlier than lengthy she was headed for Hollywood.
Even then, she knew present biz was a tough sport, so to defend her household from undesirable publicity, she dropped her final identify (Olsson) and have become simply Ann-Margret.
"I actually wished to guard them from any dangerous information about me, something dangerous that was stated," she stated. "And I believe I did, for lots of it. I believe so. Perhaps not. However I attempted."
Seems that they had loads to be happy with. In 1961, she was nominated for a Grammy as greatest new artist, for her album, "And Right here She Is … Ann-Margret."
And she or he broke out as a high field workplace star with 1963's "Bye Bye Birdie":
That very same yr she was immortalized as "Ann-Margrock" on the primetime hit animated present, "The Flintstones." And the hits simply stored on coming.
Smith requested, "You are completed with 'Bye Bye Birdie,' and so they inform you, 'Okay, we might such as you to do 'Viva Las Vegas.' And your costar is gonna be …?"
"EP."
"EP, Elvis."
"And I had by no means met him."
"Do you do not forget that first assembly?"
"Oh, yeah," Ann-Margret stated. "It was sort of awkward – 'Hello!' – nevertheless it was nice."
They made sparks offscreen, too, however that is nonetheless one thing she'll solely speak about to a degree.
Smith requested, "What's your fondest reminiscence, would you say, of him?"
"Oh, my gosh. Oh. Oh, I do not wanna get into that, 'trigger that is so private. It is simply so private."
"Does it make you unhappy? Or it is simply …"
"I do not prefer to share. 'Trigger that was between, that was between him and me."
On the finish of "Viva Las Vegas," Ann-Margret marries Elvis. In actual life, she wed actor Roger Smith in 1967. The wedding lasted 50 years, till his demise in 2017.
And here is one thing else near Ann-Margret's coronary heart: she made a number of journeys to Southeast Asia through the Vietnam Warfare to assist sustain morale in her personal distinctive manner, on each land and sea.
Smith requested, "What was it like going to Vietnam and performing for the troops?"
"Ooooohhhh!" Ann-Margret replied. "I used to be there in 1966 and 1968. Boy, you speak about my coronary heart pumping. Woo! Ow!"
However again house, she was uninterested in being typecast because the singing intercourse kitten, and wished to show she may maintain her personal in a dramatic position. She received her likelihood in 1971, when director Mike Nichols forged her reverse Jack Nicholson as his tragic lover in "Carnal Information."
"How did 'Carnal Information' change how individuals noticed you?"
"Oh my gosh, they thought I may act!"
And the academy voters thought so, too: she earned her first Oscar nod, for a movie that her personal dad and mom could not bear to observe.
Ann-Margret stated, "Daddy by no means noticed it. He knew what it was about. And he did not wanna see it, due to apparent issues. And I understood. In fact, I understood."
"However how was that so that you can have individuals say, 'Oh, she's a severe actress'?"
"Oh, I used to be thrilled. I by no means deliberate for something like that."
In a 60-year profession, there are some issues that have not modified, like her love for bikes.
What's it about bikes? "Velocity," she laughed. "Being outdoors with the wind, and rain, and no matter on the market. It is simply thrilling."
This purple Harley is her newest. She says she nonetheless rides every now and then … and that she's seeing somebody.
"And the way's that to seek out love?" requested Smith.
"It is a good feeling. He isn't a stranger, no."
Ann-Margret nonetheless makes the rounds at numerous Hollywood features, and she or he has a brand new movie set for launch later this yr.
The lady who got here to fame singing "bye bye" is not able to say farewell simply but.
Smith requested, "Does it appear a little bit surreal at the same time as you inform the story now?"
"Oh sure. My entire life," Ann-Margret stated. "How can this occur? I am so grateful for the whole lot. And I am very grateful that I've one other day. Yup."
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Story produced by John D'Amelio. Editor: Steven Tyler.