Ann-Margret’s Life Now: Career, Rare Appearances, and Biopic Details

The iconic actress Ann-Margret is proving that age is merely a number as she celebrates an impressive 65 years in the entertainment business.

After migrating to the U.S. from her native Sweden in the 1940s, Ann-Margret (whose full name is Ann-Margret Olsson) showcased her talent early on as a standout student at the Marjorie Young School of Dance. Her entrance into Hollywood was nothing short of meteoric, earning her a lasting reputation with beloved performances in classics such as Bye Bye Birdie and the nostalgic comedy Grumpy Old Men.

Her chemistry with Elvis Presley, particularly evident in the 1964 musical Viva Las Vegas, not only resulted in a cinematic hit but also a notable off-screen romance, further romanticized in a miniseries released in 2005. In this dramatization, Rose McGowan took on the role of Ann-Margret, while Jonathan Rhys Meyers captured Presley’s persona.

Reflecting on their past relationship in 2023, Ann-Margret humorously recalled how particularly irresistible Presley was, stating, “He might not have had anything on, but he just always smelled fabulous.” She added, “Elvis was extremely funny… Sometimes I punched him. He didn’t punch me back. Because if he would’ve, I would’ve really punched him hard.”

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she reminisced about their playful relationship, saying, “Elvis would do his asides, and I’d be breaking up. He loved to tease me, and I’d tease him back. Sometimes I punched him. He didn’t punch me back. Because if he would’ve, I would’ve really punched him hard.”

Another significant love in Ann-Margret’s life was her late husband, Roger Smith, star of the detective series 77 Sunset Strip. Their marriage, one of the enduring partnerships in Hollywood, began in 1967 and lasted until his death in 2017 from myasthenia gravis, a chronic neuromuscular disease. Ann-Margret, who became a stepmother to Smith’s three children from a previous marriage, reflected on their bond in a 2022 interview with Closer Weekly: “When I look back at my life, I am most proud of my marriage. We both wanted it to work. And it did work. We were together night and day. We loved each other and we were always in each other’s corner.”

Even as she enters her 80s, the Bye Bye Birdie star continues to make waves in Hollywood. Most recently, she dazzled on the red carpet at the Project Angel Food’s Lead With Love fundraiser in July 2025, where she was honored with a tribute from Will & Grace‘s Eric McCormack. He lovingly dubbed her “the female Elvis,” praising her dynamic dance moves from the ’60s that had captivated an entire generation.

“You changed how a generation hit the dance floor,” McCormack declared. “Where do those incredible moves come from? Does everyone in Sweden dance like that?”

In September 2025, Ann-Margret was celebrated at the 7th Annual Daytime Beauty Awards, where Lawrence Zarian, an Emmy-winning fashion expert, paid tribute to her enduring style. Furthermore, she graced Walt Disney World with her presence in November 2023, serving as the guest narrator for the Candlelight Processional, a ceremonial honor previously bestowed upon other luminaries like Neil Patrick Harris and Helen Hunt.

Exciting developments abound as Us Weekly announced in May 2024 that a biopic chronicling Ann-Margret’s remarkable journey is in the pipeline, with Lindsay Lohan eyed as the potential lead. Reports indicate that Lohan believes she is the perfect fit for the role and sees this opportunity as a ticket to an Oscar or Emmy win. Lohan’s recent successful projects, such as Irish Wish and Freaky Friday, reportedly revitalized her career.

Supporting Lohan’s involvement, Ann-Margret noted in a July 2025 interview with IndieWire that while she is excited about the potential project, the script still needs work. “I know that [Lohan] wants to do that [biopic],” she explained. “It just depends on what the dialogue is like. I adore her, and I think she’s full of talent.”

Although Ann-Margret may not flood the screens with her presence as frequently as before, her retirement from acting remains on indefinite hold. In recent years, she demonstrated her enduring appeal with a role alongside Ellen Burstyn and James Caan in the romantic comedy Queen Bees and made a delightful cameo in the Hallmark film A Holiday Spectacular, both released in 2021.

Interestingly, there was a time in the 1970s when Ann-Margret seriously considered retirement, even embarking on a farewell tour. However, as she later recounted in a 2014 interview with Interview Magazine, the allure of the stage proved too strong to resist: “I thought, ‘Well, that’s it. I’m leaving the industry.’ But then I was retired for a year, in my mind, and then I said, ‘Honey, I don’t think I want to be retired. I’d like to go on stage again.’”

“You know, I feel so blessed [about my life]. The fact that I’ve got so many friends who are just so honest and so loyal and forgiving and still care,” she shared.

When not gracing red carpets with her timeless elegance, the Viva Las Vegas star finds strength and companionship in her friends. As she shared in a 2022 interview with Closer Weekly, they formed a walking group to keep her active and engaged since her husband’s passing. “On Monday, there might be three of us,” she said. “Another day, there might be 15. We go to a different place every weekend to walk. I’m excited to go.”