Oct. 3, 1955 – The debut of “The Mickey Mouse Club” on ABC TV.
Shown here is the 1956 cast photo. Front row, L–R: Annette Funicello, Karen Pendleton, Cubby O’Brien, Sherry Alberoni, Dennis Day; Row two: Charley Laney, Sharon Baird, Darlene Gillespie, Jay-Jay Solari; Row three: Tommy Cole, Cheryl Holdridge, Larry Larsen, Eileen Diamond; Row four: Lonnie Burr, Margene Storey, Doreen Tracey; Back row: Jimmie Dodd, Bobby Burgess.
Others who appeared on the show whose names you might recognize: Johnny Crawford (“Mark”, on “The Rifleman”), Don Grady (“Robbie” on My Three Sons), Mickey Rooney Jr., Tim Considine, Paul Petersen (The Donna Reed Show), Tommy Kirk, Kevin “Moochie” Corcoran and Alvy Moore (later, “Hank Kimball” on “Green Acres”).
Many others auditioned but didn’t make the cut, including future vocalist/songwriter Paul Williams and future actress Candice Bergen.
Also, we can’t forget the Disney cartoons and serials on the show, including “Spin and Marty”, “The Hardy Boys”, “Corky and White Shadow” and more.
