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Ann Miller

Ann Miller

Actor · Died January 22, 2004, aged 80 · Houston, Texas, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Johnnie Lucille Collier (April 12, 1923 – January 22, 2004), known professionally as Ann Miller, was an American dancer, singer and actress. She is best remembered for her work in the Classical Hollywood musical films of the 1940s and 1950s. At age 13 in 1936, Miller became a showgirl at the Bal Tabarin. She was hired as a dancer in the "Black Cat Club" in San Francisco (she reportedly told them she was 18). It was there that she was discovered by Lucille Ball and talent scout/comic Benny Rubin (although some sources say this occurred at Bal Tabarin). This led Miller to be given a contract with RKO in 1936 at the age of 13 (she had also told them she was 18, and apparently provided a fake birth certificate, procured by her father - with the name "Lucy Ann Collier") and she remained there until 1940. In 1941, she signed with Columbia Pictures, where, starting with Time Out for Rhythm, she starred in 11 B movie musicals from 1941 to 1945. In July 1945, with World War II still raging in the Pacific, she posed in a bathing suit as a Yank magazine pin-up girl. She ended her contract in 1946 with one "A" film, The Thrill of Brazil. The ad in Life magazine featured Miller's leg in a large, red, bow-tied stocking as the "T" in "Thrill". She finally hit her mark in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musicals such as Easter Parade (1948), On the Town (1949) and Kiss Me Kate (1953). Miller was famed for her speed in tap dance. Studio publicists concocted press releases claiming she could tap 500 times per minute, but in truth, the sound of ultra-fast "500" taps was looped in later. Because the stage floors were waxed and too slick for regular tap shoes, she had to dance in shoes with rubber treads on the sole. Later she would loop the sound of the taps while watching the film and actually dancing on a "tap board" to match her steps in the film. Her film career effectively ended in 1956 as the studio system lost steam to television, but she remained active in the theater and on television. She starred on Broadway in the musical Mame in 1969, in which she wowed the audience in a tap number created just for her. In 1979 she astounded audiences in the Broadway show Sugar Babies with fellow MGM veteran Mickey Rooney, which toured the United States extensively after its Broadway run. In 1983, she won the Sarah Siddons Award for her work in Chicago theatre. She appeared in a special 1982 episode of The Love Boat, joined by fellow showbiz legends Ethel Merman, Carol Channing, Della Reese, Van Johnson and Cab Calloway in a storyline that cast them as older relatives of the show's regular characters. Her last stage performance was a 1998 production of Stephen Sondheim's Follies, in which she played hardboiled Carlotta Campion and received rave reviews for her rendition of the song "I'm Still Here". For her contribution to the motion picture industry, Miller has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6914 Hollywood Blvd. In 1998, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars was dedicated to her. To honor Miller's contribution to dance, the Smithsonian Institution displays her favorite pair of tap shoes, which she playfully nicknamed "Moe and Joe".

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 12, 1923
Died
January 22, 2004 (aged 80)
From
Houston, Texas, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
27 on MovieCove · 53 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 24% in 30 days

What are Ann Miller's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Musical3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile
: browse their Musical movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 65th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
51%
Self
22%
Morality
16%
Power
4%
Society
4%
Ideas
2%
Romantic love12 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition4 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 18 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 15 · Serious 2 · Dark 1

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 5 · Stylized 9 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 12 · Charged 4 · Intense 2

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 12 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 10 · Funny 6

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 17 · Engaged 0 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 17 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 4 of 8 analyzed roles.

Ally
4 of 8
Herald
2 of 8
Threshold guardian
1 of 8
Shadow
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
15
Romantic
11
Warm
5
Tense
3
Manic
2
Other
9

How their films linger

Feel-good15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy14
  • Bittersweet3
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Ann Miller's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 8 of their 27 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (5).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Ann Miller's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

53 credits, 27 with a MovieCove page; 30 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Broadway's Lost Treasures (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Ann (segment "Sugar Babies")

  • Cole Porter in Hollywood: Begin the Beguine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • Mulholland Drive(2001)

    as Coco

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • E! True Hollywood Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Home Improvement(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Keeney

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • That's Dancing!(1985)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • The Love Boat(1977)

    Show 2 episodes · as Connie Carruthers

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood(1976)

    as Presidents' Girl 2

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • That's Entertainment, Part II(1976)

    as (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • That's Entertainment!(1974)

    as (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Dames at Sea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Mona

  • Love, American Style (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Mondo Hollywood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Actor

  • The Great American Pastime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Doris Patterson

  • The Opposite Sex(1956)

    as Gloria Dahl

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Hit the Deck(1955)

    as Ginger

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Deep in My Heart(1954)

    as Performer (segment "Artists and Models")

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Kiss Me Kate(1953)

    as Lois Lane, "Bianca"

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Small Town Girl(1953)

    as Lisa Bellmount

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Lovely to Look At(1952)

    as Bubbles Cassidy

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Two Tickets to Broadway(1951)

    as Joyce Campbell

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Texas Carnival(1951)

    as Sunshine Jackson

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Watch the Birdie(1950)

    as Miss Lucky Vista

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • On the Town(1949)

    as Claire Huddesen

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Kissing Bandit(1948)

    as Fiesta Specialty Dancer

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Easter Parade(1948)

    as Nadine Hale

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Thrill of Brazil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Linda Lorens

  • Eve Knew Her Apples (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Eve Porter

  • Eadie Was a Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Eadie Allen / Edithea Alden

  • Carolina Blues(1944)

    as Julie Carver

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Jam Session (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Terry Baxter

  • Hey, Rookie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Winnie Clark

  • Sailor's Holiday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    Actor

  • What's Buzzin', Cousin? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Ann Crawford

  • Reveille with Beverly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Beverly Ross

  • Priorities on Parade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Donna D'Arcy

  • True to the Army (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Vicki Marlow

  • Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    Actor

  • Go West, Young Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Lola

  • Time Out for Rhythm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Kitty Brown

  • Hit Parade of 1941 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Anabelle Potter

  • Too Many Girls(1940)

    as Pepe

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Melody Ranch(1940)

    as Julie Shelton

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Tarnished Angel(1938)

    as Violet McMaster

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Room Service(1938)

    as Hilda Manny

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • You Can't Take It with You(1938)

    as Essie Carmichael

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Having Wonderful Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Vivian (uncredited)

  • Radio City Revels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Billie

  • Stage Door(1937)

    as Annie

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Life of the Party (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Betty

  • New Faces of 1937 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1937)

    as Ann Miller

  • The Devil on Horseback(1936)

    as Dancer (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Good Fairy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Girl in Orphanage (uncredited)

Career shape

Star power in the 92nd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 53 titles from 1935 to 2003; peak year 2001.

Biggest box office

Mulholland Drive (2001)

$20M worldwide

Highest rated

Mulholland Drive (2001)

Midcredits 97th

Film career

19352003

Peak 2001 · their film career is on the way up. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting53 of 53: 53 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score49th

By decade

1930s10 · acting1940s20 · acting1950s10 · acting1960s2 · acting1970s5 · acting1980s1 · acting1990s2 · acting2000s3 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 0% of 9 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Ann Miller's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 49th percentile, the median of all 25; across their 18 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 48th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Approval · how many liked their films

47thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Reach · how many have seen their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Midcredits score across 27 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

10 of their 27 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Crowd Pleaser10
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · actor

Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976)

64th percentile spread · 44% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Mulholland Drive (2001)

Midcredits 97th · 83% liked

Reviewers score the acting 61/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles; fans 71, detractors 41. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Ann Miller's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 3 · minimalMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 18 · mildMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 0 · minimalMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 29 · mildMedian of all films: 33

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Ann Miller work with?

People who share at least 2 of Ann Miller's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; George Stoll shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers