Ann Gillis


Alma Mabel Conner, known professionally as Ann Gillis, was an American actress, best known for her film roles as a child actress. She was sometimes credited as Anne Gillis or Ann Gilles. She performed the voice of Faline in the 1942 Disney animated film Bambi.

Early life and career

Gillis was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. She started her career in the early 1930s, when she was seven years old. After some smaller roles, she got her first major part in King of Hockey. In the following years she played supporting roles, and her film studio, Warner Brothers Pictures, wanted her to be another Shirley Temple, but she mostly played spoiled brats.

Starring roles

Among her biggest roles were Becky Thatcher in David O. Selznick's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Annie in Little Orphan Annie. She also provided the voice of Faline in Bambi.

Personal life and later career

She ended her Hollywood film career in 1947 and married her second husband, British actor Richard Fraser, in 1952. Following her Hollywood career, she turned to occasional television work in the UK. Gillis appeared in two episodes of The Saint in 1964/1965, followed by a small part in , playing Dr Poole's mother. She is seen onscreen congratulating her son on his birthday. She later lived in Belgium.

Death

On January 31, 2018, Gillis died in a nursing home in Horam, East Sussex, England.

Filmography