Continuing on with the final two Mouseketeers who were party of the Mickey Mouse Club reunion at the Saturday, April 24, 2010, Hollywood Show in Burbank… The first of these was the adorable Karen Pendleton. She was one of the nine original Mouseketeers who would be part of the show from 1955-58, spanning its entire three-year run. She would then go on to tour Australia for the next two years with other Mouseketeers and Head Mouseketeer Jimmie Dodd.
After her stint with the Mickey Mouse Show, Karen completely retired from show business. In 1983, Karen was in an automobile accident that rendered her paralyzed form the waist down, a fact of which I was blissfully unaware when I met her and gathered her signature on the above photo and a picture with her. I’m glad I didn’t ask her to stand up and pose.
With Karen Pendleton today
Sharon Baird had a face that I never forgot. She had a cute look about her, while not being particularly pretty, that just screamed the 1950’s. Sharon was probably the most experienced performer of all of the Mouseketeers who came onto the show. She had previously worked on The Colgate Comedy Hour with Eddie Cantor, and danced with Dean Martin in the film Artists and Models. Her specialty was tap dancing and she too starred in all three seasons of The Mickey Mouse Show.
The unmistakable face of Sharon
Sharon kept a foot in show business until the 1990’s, even working with Sid & Marty Krofft as a ‘live puppet’ in Saturday morning shows such as H.R. Pufnstuf and Land of the Lost – as well as some low budget films and live stage appearances with comedian Gallagher.
With Sharon Baird today
It was a thrill to add all of these Mouseketeers to my list of celebrity encounters and I as I grow older, I’m sure I will come to appreciate it even more.
Celebs of the Spring 2010 Hollywood Show will continue…
I knew that about Karen a few years ago when they had a Mouseketeer reunion show. Then I went on line and learned more about Karen and her accident. I LOVE THE MOUSEKETEERS!
Bev
September 6th, 2010
I was in 2nd grade with Karen. We had a few play dates at each others houses in North Hollywood. It was so fun to watch her. I loved the show.
Kathleen Middleton
April 13th, 2013
Karen was my very first girlfriend. I would watch her ever night. I never told anybody until now. I think I still love her.
JohnHutcherson
October 2nd, 2013
Karen’s grandparents, The Michels, lived next door when I was a child in OK. Karen would visit in the summer, and my sisters and I were in absolute awe of her. I wonder if she remembers the three girls next to her grandma and grandpa?
Robbie Niesen
January 4th, 2014