Ann Gillis, born Alma Mabel Conner on February 12, 1927, in the city of Little Rock, Arkansas, embarked on a cinematic journey at the tender age of seven, making her film debut as an extra in the 1934 production of Men in White. Over the subsequent two years, she appeared in a total of six films without receiving any credits, merely serving as a background presence on the silver screen. However, her breakthrough role arrived in 1936 with the film King of Hockey, a movie that afforded her significant screen time in an attempt to transform her into the next Shirley Temple, a renowned child star of the era.
Notable roles of Gillis, a talented actress, include the memorable portrayal of Becky Thatcher in the 1938 film adaptation of Mark Twain's classic novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Additionally, she took on the iconic title role in the 1938 film Little Orphan Annie, further solidifying her status as a talented young actress of her time.
One of the most striking aspects of Gillis's film career was her performance in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, where she was tasked with conveying a sense of desperation and fear as she found herself trapped in a cave filled with bats. Her heart-pounding screams, which echoed through the dark and foreboding cave, remain an enduring image from her filmography.
As Gillis grew older, her career began to slow down, and she ultimately left the Hollywood spotlight in 1947. Prior to her departure from the entertainment industry, she married Paul Ziebold and had two sons with him. However, the couple eventually divorced, and Gillis relocated to New York City, where she met and married Richard Fraser, a Scottish-born actor.
The couple had another son together, born in 1958, bringing joy and fulfillment to Gillis's life outside of the spotlight. Despite her departure from Hollywood, Gillis's legacy as a talented actress continues to be celebrated, with her memorable performances in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Little Orphan Annie remaining a testament to her enduring talent.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Gillis sporadically appeared on television, making fleeting but memorable impressions on audiences. One notable occasion was when she hosted a national telecast presentation of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in 1959, showcasing her charisma and stage presence to a wide viewership.
As the decade drew to a close, Gillis and her husband made the significant decision to relocate to England in 1961. It was during this period of adjustment that they received word of a casting call for the groundbreaking science fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey, which was in production and required an American actress residing in the city to fill a key role.
Gillis seized the opportunity, auditioning for the part and ultimately landing the role, which would prove to be her final film to date.
Noted artist and musician, Gillis, made a significant life transition in 1972 by relocating to Belgium, where she would eventually spend over four decades of her life. During this period, she would meet and marry Belgian native René Van Hulst, with whom she would share a profound bond until his untimely passing in 1999.
