Sweet and Sassy: An Interview with Ann-Margret

Ann-Margret is a living legend.  Her multi-dimensional talent and charisma are unrivaled.   

I was introduced to Ann-Margret’s work at the library, of all places.  As a nine-year-old browsing the biography section in search of more information on Classic Hollywood, I came across Ann-Margret’s 1994 autobiography.  I was captivated by her picture on the dust jacket.  The celebrated Titian hair looked particularly brilliant against a deep purple background.  Her half-smile was both friendly and mysterious.  But it was Ann-Margret’s arresting eyes that got me.

And I hadn’t even seen her perform yet.  

Becoming an Ann-Margret Fan

That soon changed.  After watching her dynamic performance opposite Elvis Presley in Viva Las Vegas (1964), I became an Ann-Margret fan.  Her vibrant presence, beautiful singing, and total abandon on the dance floor were an inspiration.  It was clear to me that Ann-Margret loved her work, and that motivated me to pursue the passions in my own life.

Ann-Margret had the same effect on my daughter when, two years ago, our family watched Viva Las Vegas together for the first time.  With excitement and admiration for the captivating woman she had just seen command the screen, Mary told me that she had a great idea: we should interview Ann-Margret.

How do you explain to a seven-year-old that our chances of interviewing Ann-Margret, let alone meeting her, were next to nothing?

I let Mary down gently. I told her how absolutely amazing it would be to interview Ann-Margret, and how much I would love it. But I stressed that it probably wouldn’t happen.

Mary simply replied:

“Why not?”

Ann-Margret Interview 2025

Why not.  Mary’s innocent question stayed with me.  I remembered her confident assumption that anything was possible when we miraculously did have the rare opportunity to meet Ann-Margret at the Hollywood Show this year.  It was, quite literally, a dream come true.

The dream didn’t end there.  Ann-Margret said yes to an interview.

It’s often said that as a rule, you should never meet your heroes: how can someone we’ve admire from afar ever live up to our expectations in real life? 

It’s a fair question.  

But if the hero in question is Ann-Margret, the rules don’t apply.

From social media to Youtube and countless forums, the internet is filled with stories from those who have met Ann-Margret or worked with her.  Whether it was an impromptu chat with a fan at the grocery store, an anecdote from a costar, or the heart-felt memories of Vietnam Veterans whose lives were enriched by her visits and performances, all these stories share a common thread: they all demonstrate that Ann-Margret Olsson Smith is an exceptionally good person.

A Foundation of Faith and Gratitude

The afternoon my family and I spent with Ann-Margret only adds to the evidence.  Despite her status as a living legend, Ann-Margret remains grounded in a firm foundation not even seven decades in Hollywood could break.  She credits this foundation to her parents and her faith.  As Ann-Margret shared with me during our conversation:  

“I’ve been so blessed.  God has been so very good.  What can I say, I’m a happy person.”

With such gratitude for the immense blessings in her life, it’s no surprise that Ann-Margret is still creating and still giving back.

Ann-Margret: Sweet and Sassy

In 2023, at the age of 81, Ann-Margret released her first pure rock album, Born to Be Wild, which charted on Billboard’s Top Album Sales.  That same year, with her good friend Justin Chambers (Dr. Alex Karev on Grey’s Anatomy), Ann-Margret released her namesake perfume, a beautiful fragrance that Ann-Margret helped design, and yes, actually wears.  Further indicative of the lady, all profits from perfume sales go to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

Justin Chambers has described the perfume as:

“Sweet and sassy, just like Ann-Margret.”

Listen to Episode 87

Justin’s description of his pal is perfect.  Indeed, sweetness and sass are integral components of that firm foundation upon which Ann-Margret built not only her successful career, but also her enduring relationships with friends and family, and her forever marriage to Roger Smith.

Listen to Episode 87 of Vanguard of Hollywood to experience the kindness, spunk, humor, faith, and goodness that form the remarkable foundation of this living legend.