DEANNA DE DE MOLLNER
1944 - 2021
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BIRTHDAY: December 14
GREW UP IN: Los Angeles area
APPEARANCES: December 64 - February 66
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At 5'10" tall, with long blonde hair and a beautiful svelte figure, DeANN is probably the most recognizable GAZZARRI DANCER. She is one of only two dancers who were on the show from the first to the last episode. She was also very popular and even had fan clubs here at home, as well as overseas. Born as DEANNA, she was called DeANN on HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO, and now prefers to be called DeDe.
While DeDe was a student at UCLA in 1964 she was slated to go to Africa on an anthropological dig with the world-reknowned Dr. Leakey. However a new TV show called HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO intervened and DeDe was chosen as one of the first GAZZARRI DANCERS. She is one of only two dancers who were there from the beginning of the show to the end in February 1966. When watching DeDe on the show it is readily apparent that she always appeared to be having a great time (see the photo montage below) and she had all of the dance moves down perfectly. British designer Mary Quant supplied her with one of the first mini-skirts to be worn on American television, which caused quite a stir back in 1965, and only added to HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO's risque reputation.
After HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO ended DeDe became a member of an avant-garde dance troupe named "The Movement" which was a bit too hip for the mid-60's and thereafter disbanded. In the late 1970's she was involved with a basketball program called "Shooting Stars" composed of celebrities playing hoops for charitable causes and her father, Art, was the coach. A photo of her at one of the games can be found below.
She has been a long time globetrotter and has lived in Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, and Monte Carlo to name a few places. During her seven years in Switzerland she became an avid skier. She has also been active in other sports such as golf and tennis and remains so. Some of this interest in sports undoubtedly stemmed from her father, Art Mollner, who was a member of the USA Mens Basketball Team that won a gold medal at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. He was one of the early influences in the game who made basketball what it is today.
There is an extremely informative 1984 interview with Art at the following link: http://la84foundation.org/6oic/OralHistory/OHMollner.pdf
Another member of DeDe's interesting and talented family bears mention. Her brother, Duke, is the owner and mastermind behind one of the premier horror shows in the country, Freakling Brothers. They are based in Las Vegas and the following link will lead you to their spooky and well crafted website: http://www.freaklingbros.com/
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The photo above and the one below of DeANN, as well as the three great color photos at the top of this page, were taken by famed rock n' roll photographer Henry Diltz. All five photographs date from the 1968-70 time period.
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This beautiful and natural shot of DeANN below was taken by Nurit Wilde sometime in the 1970s.
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The above photo, taken on April 24, 1965, shows DeANN performimg some great go-go moves. On the dance floor you can also see SAM RIDDLE and guest Timi Yuro clapping their hands, while in the far background LUCILLE and ROBERTA are on the main dancing platform.
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The two photos below are from episode # 7 which was taped on January 30, 1965. Note the reduced lighting levels which were common on the earlier episodes.
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The above photo of DeANN was taken in March 1966, only one month after HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO ended, for a Pepsi commercial. The two photos below were taken at the 1968 Renaissance Faire in LA.
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The above photo of DeANN was taken in 1971. The great one below, taken by Henry Diltz, was taken at the 1969 Renaissance Faire in LA. On the left is Jon Anderson, with Steve Blauner in the middle, and DeANN on the right. Steve was the long time manager of Bobby Darin and he was closely involved in the production of several iconic movies of the era such as "Five Easy Pieces" and "Head" to name just a few.
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The photo above was taken in 1965 during the period that the Byrds were performing at Ciro's. Back left to right: David Crosby, Bryan MacLean, Chris Hillman, Jim (not Roger yet) McGuinn; Front left to right: Beatle Bob Roberts, Lizzie Donohoe (Vito's dancer and Ciro's groupie who dated Michael), Michael Clarke, Gene Clark, DeANN MOLLNER, and (standing) Carl Franzoni.
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This 1966 photo was taken in Tijuana, Mexico, not too long after the end of HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO.
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Starting on the left we have Herbie Cohen, the legendary manager for Frank Zappa, Tim Buckley, and others. Next to him is famous American artist and sculptor Billy Al Begston, followed by two members of The Modern Folk Quartet, Chip Douglas and Jerry Yester. The ladies from the left are: Suzanne Cohen (Herbie's wife), DeANN MOLLNER, and folk singer Judy Henske.
Below is another photo of DeANN and Judy Henske.
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The video link below featues DeANN and her friend Lewis Teague at Joshua Tree Park in 1972. Lewis was the director of "Cujo", "Jewel of the Nile", and many more films.
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The photo above dates from March 1979 and shows DeANN on the left and Swedish actress Camilla Sparv on the right. The lucky guy in the middle is Harlem Globetrotter Meadowlark Lemon. DeANN and Camilla were part of the charity basketball team called "Shooting Stars" coached by her father Art Mollner.
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The photo below shows the entire "Shooting Stars" team. Starting from the left we have Barbara Steele (English actress), Camilla Sparv (Swedish actress), Meadowlark Lemon with Jadie David (stunt woman) below him, Altovise Davis (Sammy Davis' wife), DeANN, Ann Meyers (professional and Olympic basketball star), Tina Louise (American actress), and lastly Julie Newmar (American dancer and actress).
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The photo below was taken on the beach in Mexico in January 2011.
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Below are two photos of De De and Randy Nauert meeting up for the first time since HOLLYWOOD A GO-GO ended production in early 1966. This nostalgic meeting took place in California in July 2016. Randy was the bass player from the oft appearing Challengers.
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Above photo is of De De in Las Vegas, October 2019. And still looking fabulous. Thanks to Michael Evans for taking and supplying this photo.
And below is another photo, also taken in October 2019, featuring De De and Motley Crue lead singer Vince Neil.
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