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The Unexpected Resurgence Of Annie Golden's "Hang Up The Phone": 5 Things You Didn't Know About The 'Sixteen Candles' Star

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The phrase "Hang Up The Phone" instantly conjures a nostalgic, upbeat sound for a specific generation, yet the artist behind it, Annie Golden, is a chameleon whose career spans punk rock, Broadway, and a beloved role on a major streaming series. As of December 22, 2025, Golden remains an active and vital force in the entertainment world, with recent projects demonstrating her enduring versatility, from new Off-Broadway readings to her celebrated work in television.

This deep dive explores the fascinating trajectory of Annie Golden, revealing how a catchy 1980s pop single became a footnote in a massive career that includes headlining the legendary CBGB's and portraying one of the most memorable—and silent—characters in modern television history. Her story is a testament to the power of reinvention, moving seamlessly between the gritty New York punk scene and the polished world of stage and screen.

Annie Golden: Biography, Filmography, and Career Highlights

Annie Golden is an American actress, singer, and performer whose career is defined by its remarkable range across music, film, television, and theatre. Her distinctive voice and presence have made her a celebrated figure in the New York arts scene for decades.

  • Full Name: Annie Golden
  • Date of Birth: October 19, 1951
  • Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
  • Primary Career: Actress, Singer
  • Music Career Start: Lead singer of the punk/new wave band The Shirts (1975–1981). The band was a fixture at the legendary New York club, CBGB's.
  • Breakthrough Song: "Hang Up The Phone" (1981), featured prominently on the Sixteen Candles (1984) soundtrack.
  • Major Film Roles: Jeannie Ryan in Hair (1979 film adaptation), *Desperately Seeking Susan* (1985), *Baby Boom* (1987), and *Longtime Companion* (1989).
  • Major Television Roles: Mute inmate Norma Romano in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019), appearances on *Cheers* and *Miami Vice*.
  • Major Broadway/Theatre Roles: *Hair* (1977 Broadway revival), *Leader of the Pack* (1985), *Ah, Wilderness!* (1988), *On the Town* (1998), *The Full Monty* (2000), and Squeaky Fromme in the 1990 Off-Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's *Assassins*.
  • Recent Projects (2025): Starring in the Joe Iconis musical *Broadway Bounty Hunter* (August 2025), a role in the Women's Project world premiere of *We Play for the Gods* (September 2025), and the one-night-only public reading of the play *Yesterday's Bread* (December 2025).

The Curious Case of "Hang Up The Phone": From Punk to Pop Culture Staple

The song "Hang Up The Phone" is a fascinating anomaly in Annie Golden's extensive career, bridging her punk rock roots with her future as a Broadway and Hollywood character actress. It's a bubblegum pop track released in 1981, a stark contrast to the gritty new wave sound of her band, The Shirts.

The song's enduring legacy is almost entirely tied to its inclusion in the 1984 John Hughes teen classic, Sixteen Candles. The movie, starring Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall, was a cultural touchstone that launched a wave of 80s cinema. The soundtrack became a must-have for teenagers, and Golden's track, with its infectious, syrupy-sweet melody and relatable theme of waiting for a call, became an essential piece of the film's nostalgic fabric.

The single itself, released on MCA, was a solo venture for Golden outside of The Shirts. The song's pre-call-waiting theme—a girl waiting anxiously by a landline telephone, desperate for a boy to call—perfectly encapsulates the era's dating rituals. The lyrics and production are pure 80s pop, making it a beloved, though often forgotten, gem of the decade.

For fans who only knew Golden from her later, more dramatic roles, discovering this upbeat, high-energy pop song is often a delightful surprise. It showcases her powerful, versatile voice in a completely different light than her work on the stage or as the lead singer of a punk band that regularly tore up the stage at CBGB's, a venue synonymous with artists like The Ramones and Talking Heads.

From Mute Inmate to Musical Theatre Powerhouse: Golden's Enduring Relevance

While "Hang Up The Phone" remains a cult classic, Annie Golden's recent work ensures her status as a contemporary icon. Her role as Norma Romano on the critically acclaimed Netflix series Orange Is the New Black (OITNB) introduced her to a new, global audience.

Norma Romano, the mute inmate at Litchfield Penitentiary, was a masterclass in non-verbal acting. After initially being unable to speak due to a stutter, Norma later chose silence, becoming a spiritual leader to a small, devoted cult within the prison. Golden's ability to convey a wide range of emotions—from quiet devotion to fierce protection—using only her eyes and body language was one of the show's most powerful performances. The irony of a celebrated singer playing a mute character was not lost on her long-time fans.

Her career in musical theatre is equally impressive and continues to be her primary focus. Golden is a true Broadway veteran, having appeared in numerous major productions. Her role as Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme in the original Off-Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's *Assassins* is considered a highlight of her stage career, demonstrating her dramatic range alongside her musical talent.

The latest updates show that Golden is far from slowing down. In the current year, 2025, she has been involved in several high-profile theatre projects, cementing her status in the New York theatre community.

  • *Broadway Bounty Hunter* (2025): Golden starred in this Joe Iconis musical, a project that perfectly blends her musical theatre chops with a unique, action-comedy premise. Iconis, known for his fresh, contemporary work, often features performers like Golden who have a distinctive, powerful stage presence.
  • *Yesterday's Bread* (2025): She participated in a one-night-only public reading of this new play, an event presented by Theatre for the New City. This involvement highlights her commitment to developing new works and supporting the theatre community.
  • *We Play for the Gods* (2025): Golden was also announced as part of the cast for the Women's Project world premiere of this new show, further demonstrating her continued demand for challenging and interesting stage roles.

The Topical Authority of Annie Golden: A Bridge Across Genres

Annie Golden's career is a masterclass in topical authority, spanning three distinct and often separate entertainment worlds: Punk/New Wave Music, 80s Pop Culture/Cinema, and Broadway/Prestige TV. Few performers can claim such a diverse and successful trajectory.

Her work with The Shirts placed her at the epicenter of the late 70s New York punk scene, a movement that redefined music. Her transition to the silver screen began with the film adaptation of Hair, a role she reprised from the Broadway revival. This early work established her as a versatile performer capable of handling both raw energy and structured musical theatre.

The "Hang Up The Phone" era, while brief, connected her to the zeitgeist of the John Hughes cinematic universe, making her voice instantly recognizable to millions of 80s film fans. The track, alongside other hits on the Sixteen Candles soundtrack, is a key piece of bubblegum pop history.

Finally, her long-running, Emmy-nominated work on Orange Is the New Black as Norma Romano brought her into the modern era of streaming television and prestige drama. This role, alongside her continued, vibrant presence in Off-Broadway and Broadway productions like The Full Monty and the works of Joe Iconis, solidifies her legacy as a true renaissance artist. Her ability to move from a silent, cult-leading inmate to a beloved musical theatre star and back to an 80s pop one-hit-wonder is what makes her career one of the most unique and enduring in show business.

Beyond the Phone: 5 Essential Annie Golden Facts

  1. She Was Discovered by Miloš Forman: The legendary director of *One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest* and *Amadeus*, Miloš Forman, discovered Golden while she was performing with The Shirts at CBGB's, leading to her casting in the 1979 film adaptation of *Hair*.
  2. She Played a Real-Life Assassin: In the 1990 Off-Broadway premiere of Stephen Sondheim's musical *Assassins*, Golden played Squeaky Fromme, the Manson Family member who attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford.
  3. Her Stage Career Includes a Tony-Nominated Musical: She was part of the original Broadway cast of *The Full Monty*, which was nominated for ten Tony Awards in 2001.
  4. The Shirts Reunions are Still Happening: Despite her busy acting career, Golden has returned to perform with The Shirts for occasional reunion shows, keeping her punk rock roots alive.
  5. She is an East Village Fixture: Golden is deeply rooted in the New York theatre and music scene, often performing in cabaret shows and readings at iconic downtown venues, further highlighting her connection to the city's artistic core.
annie golden hang up the phone
annie golden hang up the phone

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