Iconic ANNIE Actress on the Movie’s Lasting Message of ‘Unconditional Love’
By Movieguide® Staff
In 1982, 9-year-old actress Aileen Quinn starred as the red-headed orphan in what has since become a classic adaptation of ANNIE.
Quinn became a star due to the role, which featured her bubbly personality and singing voice. However, by the age of 18, Quinn’s run in Hollywood ended.
TCM Classic Film plans to honor ANNIE’s nearly 40-year legacy at their 13th annual Hollywood Festival this year.
“I have a lot of great memories affiliated with the movie and I love it so much,” Quinn, 50, told Fox News in a recent interview. “There’s a special place in my heart for it. And it’s great that other fans want to be a part of this with me.
“It was like a real family and they were all my aunts and uncles. John Huston was like a grandfather. He would always call me, ‘Aileen darling.’ I was never just Aileen to him. It was always ‘Aileen darling.’ It was like my last name. But it was such a family-oriented, happy set,” she added. “Everyone, from the cast and crew, just made me smile. They still do.”
Despite her bow-out from Hollywood, Quinn is still recognized as the on-screen Annie that brought the story to life.
“It changed right away,” she said of the role. “I went from being a very small town girl who was very close to my friends in fourth or fifth grade, 9 turning 10 in the middle of filming. Even though I had done Broadway and commercials, my friends at school didn’t know I was a professional performer. They weren’t used to it on that scale. It went from having sleepovers, to me going away to film for six to eight months, and then all of a sudden getting swarmed at the mall while trying to get an ice cream cone.
“I wanted to get back to some normalcy,” she continued of her child stardom. “I wanted to go to college and explore my other options. I wanted to learn about the world. I lived in a foreign country and got to experience that for a while. I got to learn a different language and explore another part of the world that was different. So in a way, it was a blessing in disguise. I was able to grow up, have a normal life, date and see the world, which felt right to me.”
Quinn said that she continues to perform to this day, and hopes that the message of ANNIE continues to make an impression on families about the importance of loving one another.
“There are so many messages in the film. But I think the universal theme here is we all wanted to be accepted. We all want to be loved. That’s the bottom line of everything… we all want unconditional love,” she said. “And we all have struggles… It’s really about love and acceptance, which we so greatly need these days. It’s such a great, beautiful story of accepting each other and family. I’m proud of it.”
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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