Since the 1960s, Ann-Margret has captivated audiences on both stage and screen with her exceptional talents as an actress, singer, and dancer. She remains best known for her iconic roles in films like Bye Bye Birdie, Viva Las Vegas, The Cincinnati Kid, Carnal Knowledge, and The Train Robbers. Over the years, her performances have earned her widespread acclaim, including six Emmy nominations, two Grammy nominations, two Academy Award nominations, and five Golden Globe nominations, of which she won five. Notably, she won the 2010 Primetime Emmy for Best Guest Appearance for her role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Born on April 28, 1941, in Stockholm, Sweden, Ann-Margret and her family emigrated to the United States in 1941, eventually settling in the Chicago suburbs. She became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1949 and attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois, where she discovered her passion for performance through the school’s theater program. In 1959, she briefly enrolled at Northwestern University but left to pursue her career in entertainment.
Ann-Margret’s professional breakthrough came in 1963 with Bye Bye Birdie. The following year, she co-starred with Elvis Presley in Viva Las Vegas, and the two shared a brief romantic connection before remaining lifelong friends. In 1965, she met her future husband, Roger Smith, on the set of Once a Thief. The couple married in 1967, and Ann-Margret became a devoted stepmother to Smith’s three children: Tracy, Jordan, and Dallas. Although Smith passed away in 2017, she continues to cherish her family and embrace her role as a grandmother.
Throughout her life, Ann-Margret has been candid about her dedication to performance and the emotional depth she brings to her roles. In interviews, she has described the thrill and anxiety of live performance, recounting experiences like a stage accident in Lake Tahoe that required surgery, as well as her early fears performing for audiences. Despite personal and professional challenges—including struggles with alcohol—she has persevered, drawing strength from her faith, family, and love of her craft.
Ann-Margret’s career has been marked by versatility, from her musical performances to dramatic roles in A Streetcar Named Desire, The Matthew Shepard Story, and television appearances on The West Wing and The Good Wife. Even today, she remains active in Hollywood, starring in projects such as the 2021 film Queen Bees. She also enjoys hobbies outside of acting, including riding her purple Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
Reflecting on her life, Ann-Margret attributes her longevity and energy to her passion for performance, her love for family, and her enduring curiosity about life. She has embraced new experiences, including romance later in life, and remains committed to staying active, social, and engaged with the world around her. In 2022, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas honored her with an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree, celebrating her remarkable career and lasting influence.
Now in her 80s, Ann-Margret continues to live vibrantly in her Los Angeles home, cherishing walks with friends, family moments, and the thrill of new opportunities—an enduring icon of talent, resilience, and joy.
