A scene of hers in A Daughter of the Gods (1916) is believed to be the first nude appearance in a major movie.
Died six days after her husband of 63 years, James R. Sullivan.
Life story was made into the 1952 film Million Dollar Mermaid (1952) starring Esther Williams. An important scene in the film shows Annette being the scandal at a Boston beach for wearing a one-piece bathing suit in public. This act helped change the attitude of female beach-goers, who in the past wore billowy dress-like swimwear instead of more-revealing, less-dangerous swimsuits.
She made three attempts to swim the English Channel. They were unsuccessful but her determination added to her popularity.
She was a popular swimmer of the Edwardian era.
She was arrested in Boston in 1907 for wearing a one-piece bathing suit which was considered in violation of the decency standards of the community.
She was born with crippled legs, but overcame her handicap through swimming.
Sister of cinematographer Maurice Kellerman.