Bonnie Lynn Fields (July 18, 1944 – November 17, 2012) was an American actress and Mouseketeer on The Mickey Mouse Club, beginning with the show's third season.[1] Her film credits included roles in Angel in My Pocket, Bye Bye Birdie, and Funny Girl.[1]
Fields was born Bonita Fields in Walterboro, South Carolina.[2] Fields was just 12 years old when she was cast as a Mouseketeer, joining The Mickey Mouse Club at the start of its third season (1957-1958).[1] Approximately 5,000 children auditioned to join the show for its third season; Fields was the second to the last person to audition for the show.[1] Walt Disney reportedly personally asked Fields to change her name from "Bonita," which had three syllables, to a new two-syllable stage name ("Bonnie") to harmonize more effectively with the show's other Mouseketeers during musical songs.[1]
In the 1960s, Fields appeared on Broadway, including Half a Sixpence and Kelly.[2] She appeared in the 25th anniversary show about the Mickey Mouse Club in 1980.[3]
Fields died from throat cancer in Richmond, Indiana, on November 17, 2012, aged 68.[3]