A Hard-Knock Life?

Danielle Brisebois turns 50 today.  The name doesn't ring a bell?  Let me refresh your memory.

She rose to fame--or at least celebrity--in the Broadway production of Annie, a blockbuster musical that opened in 1977.  While Andrea McArdle got a lot of attention in the title role, another child actor, Brisebois, got almost as much love as Molly, the youngest of the orphans.

A busy child actor, she jumped from Broadway to TV, becoming a regular on All In The Family (and its sequel Archie Bunker's Place), as Stephanie, the singing, dancing girl the Bunker's take in.  It's tough for a child actor growing up, and while Brisebois kept working before the cameras for some years, she didn't maintain her prominence into adulthood.

Which is why it's such a shock to hear she's 50.  You always think of her as a little girl.

Not that she didn't have a second act.  She's had a fairly successful career in music, singing, composing and producing. Her songs have been recorded by numerous artists, including Donna Summer, Paula Abdul, Kelly Clarkson, Kylie Minogue and Mandy Moore. She was even nominated for an Oscar for her song "Lost Stars" in Begin Again.

So happy 50th, Danielle. Considering you were a show biz veteran when you were 20, good to know you're still at it.