'Annie' Stars Through the Years

It all began with the 1977 Broadway adaptation of the famed comic strip "Little Orphan Annie."  Actress Andrea McArdle was the original Broadway Annie. Back in 1977, McArdle was pulled from the chorus of orphans to replace Kristin Vigard, whom producers reportedly felt was not tough enough to play the street-smart orphan. McArdle became the youngest performer to be nominated for a Tony Award in the Best Lead Actress category. Since then, she has spent most of her career performing in musical theater and cabarets, including “Les Miserables,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Annie Get Your Gun.” Reid Shelton played the role of Daddy Warbucks in the 1977 original Broadway production of “Annie,” starring in the show for six years before his death in 1997. Source: AP

Actress Shelley Bruce took over the title role from 1978-79.

Sarah Jessica Parker may be best known for her role as Carrie Bradshaw in the “Sex and the City” films, but back in 1979, SJP took over for Bruce as the title role of Annie. Shortly afterward, she was cast in the CBS sitcom “Square Pegs.” The rest, as they say, is history.

Actress Allison Smith was the longest-running and youngest Annie star, playing the role for nearly three years, performing in the show more tan 1,000 times. She later starred in the sitcom “Kate & Allie” and had a recurring role in the popular drama “The West Wing” as Mallory O’Brien.  

Singer Joanna Pacitti stirred up some controversy with her “Annie” role. In 1996 at age 12, she was selected as the star of the 20th anniversary revival of the show after entering a contest at Macy’s department store. She appeared in 106 performances, but only earned mixed reviews on the national tour. Shortly before the Broadway debut, she was dropped by producers, a move that generated national publicity. She later settled the matter out of court for an undisclosed amount. Most recently, she auditioned for “American Idol” and made it to the Hollywood rounds. But due to her past successes, including a record deal with Geffen records and a tour with Sheryl Crow, and rumors of “very personal connections” with “Idol” execs, she was deemed ineligible to continue. Source: AP

Actress Aileen Quinn was the star of the 1982 film production of “Annie.” After a few roles in national musical tours, Quinn became a teacher at Hudson Catholic Regional High School in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Young star Alicia Morton began her career playing Cosette in Broadway’s “Les Miserables” in 1996. She later appeared in the made-for-television version of “Annie” in 1999, playing the title role. Source: ABC

English actor Albert Finney was already a successful actor when he took on the role of Daddy Warbucks in the 1982 film production of “Annie.” Aside from “Annie,” he is also known for his roles in films like “Scrooge,” “Erin Brockovich,” and “Big Fish.”

Canadian star Victor Garber played Daddy Warbucks in the 1999 television production of “Annie.” Source: AP

Actress Carol Burnett became a Broadway and television sensation in the 1960s and 70s, most notably for her role in the self titled “Carol Burnett Show” before starring in the film production of “Annie” in 1982.

Actress Dorothy Loudon won a Tony Award for her role in the 1977 original “Annie” Broadway production. She enjoyed a successful Broadway career for years after that, appearing in such shows as “Ballroom” and “Sweeney Todd.” She also appeared in the films “Garbo Talks” and “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” before her death in 2003. Source: AP

Actress Betty Hutton became a Hollywood star in the 1940s, appearing in such films “The Fleet’s In” and “The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek.” After personal and financial struggles, she appeared as Miss Hannigan for a 3-week run in the Broadway production of “Annie.”  

“Bewitched” and “Designing Women” star Alice Ghostley briefly played Miss Hannigan on Broadway, succeeding Loudon in 1978.

Television and Broadway star Nell Carter was already a household name by the time she picked up the role of Miss Hannigan in the Broadway 20th Anniversary revival of “Annie,” having won a Tony for her role in “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and starred in the 1980s sitcom “Gimme a Break!” But after a dispute over the producers using white actress Marcia Lewis in promotion of the show, Carter was later replaced by Sally Struthers. Carter died in 2003. Source: AP

Academy-Award-winning actress Kathy Bates was nominated for an Emmy, a Golden Globe and a SAG Award for her role as Miss Hannigan in the 1999 television adaptation of “Annie.” Source: AP