Aileen Quinn - 1982Aileen was an understudy in the original Broadway production of Annie, before John Huston cast her in the first film adaptation of the musical in 1982. She remained under contract to Columbia for several years to make other Annie sequels, which sadly, never materialized.
Aileen performed lead roles in regional theater and lent her voice to cartoon voice over productions. At the age of 18, Quinn returned to school. She graduated from Drew University as a language major and held a minor in political science.
Quinn returned to the stage in 1994 with three Broadway national tours. Her thirty plus career has kept her acting, singing and dancing on Broadway, Off- Broadway, Regional Theatre, Films, Television, Commercials, Animation and Voice Overs.
After moving to Los Angeles in 2011, she was thrilled to meet a group of musicians who would inspire her to fall in love with the sound of music from the past eras, particularly 1920's - 1960's Rockabilly and Swing. Quinn found her voice now as a song writer as well as performer with Aileen Quinn and The Leapin' Lizards The band currently has two albums out.
Alicia Morton - 1999
Alicia Morton began singing and dancing when she was eighteen months old. Her Broadway career started at the age of seven when she landed the part of Cosette in Les Misérables (1996-1999).
Morton beat out 3,000 other 'Annie hopefuls' in getting the role of Disney's Annie.
Following her performance in The Wonderful World of Disney's Annie, Morton appeared in five more films between 2001-2006. Alicia graduated high school and went on to study music at Tullane University in Louisiana. She performed in some regional theatre productions, New York Musical Theatre Festival's Greenwood and taught drama in her former high school.
Morton, 33, resides in Prairieville, Louisiana where she has realized her passion for animals, and currently works as a veterinary technician. If the right opportunity arises, Alicia has stated that she would consider a performance opportunity.
Quvenzhane' Wallis - 2014
Sony pictures had begun discussion on developing a more modern twist to Annie in 2011. Producers Jay Z (who would also provide new songs) and Will Smith sought out a screenwriter and had planned on casting Smith's daughter, Willow, as Annie. By the time a writer and director were attached to the project, Willow had 'aged out.'
Enter Oscar nominee Quvenzhane' Wallis, who had recently made her mark in the film, Beasts of the Southern Wild. (She is the first African American child actor to earn an Oscar nomination.) Quvenzhane' made history as the first African American to be cast as the 2014 Annie. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination, receiving praise from many reviewers, despite the 'poor adaptation of the original musical' opinions. Wallis has appeared in three films, provided the voice over for several cartoon feature films, was featureed in Beyonce's short film Lemonade, and including recent appearances in the television series Blackish.
Wallis' accolades are astounding - for one so young!
Quvenzhane's latest venture, as writer for the
Shai and Emmie children's book series. (She has written four books to date.)
Quvenzhane' Wallis bio on Simon and Schuster is sweet, for it describes her as
"a daughter, a sister, a model, a singer, a dancer, an actress, an author, a student and a pet owner"- that she is
"always willing to try something new."Quvenzhane' Wallis, as she appeared in TV series Blackish.
What is next for the young Oscar nominee?According to IMDB, Wallis is slated to appear in Apple's program, Swagger, a basketball themed drama about the world of youth basketball and their players.
I personally, look forward to seeing her cast in another film. Quvenzhane' is merely seventeen years old, there's plenty of time for movies in her future!
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