- Born
- Died
- Birth nameMargaret Ann Knudsen
- A knockout curvaceous blonde screen siren with a smart, confident air, Peggy Knudsen had the charisma to make it in Hollywood. Somehow, stardom eluded her. She was of Irish and Norwegian ancestry, the daughter of a Duluth fire chief. Peggy studied violin as a child and later showed some promise acting in school plays. Her mother consequently moved the family to Chicago, where the youngster got her start on the CBS daytime radio drama "The Woman in White". Aged nineteen, she then made her way to Broadway to debut in a small part in "My Sister Eileen", as replacement for Jo Ann Sayers. Movies eventually beckoned, and, in 1945, Peggy was signed by Warner Brothers after being 'spotted' at the Stage Door Canteen. The studio publicity machine promptly heralded her arrival by nicknaming her "the lure". Peggy's first significant role was as Mona Mars in the film noir classic link=tt0038355]. She replaced the original actress when the part was recast to add sizzle to the Bogart/Bacall vehicle. Though a small part, Peggy received good critical notices. She then appeared in support of Errol Flynn in Never Say Goodbye (1946) and John Garfield in Humoresque (1946).
Despite these A-grade films, her subsequent career turned out to be desultory. Warners had a not undeserved reputation for often failing to effectively cast (rather than typecast) their starlets. With Peggy, they missed the boat altogether. In the absence of suitable vehicles, she was first relegated to playing one-dimensional hard-boiled toughs or the proverbial 'other woman', then loaned out. With Sol M. Wurtzel's B-unit at 20th Century Fox (and, subsequently, at Monogram) she fared rather better, finally getting to play leads. However, her films, -- Roses Are Red (1947), Trouble Preferred (1948), Perilous Waters (1948) and Half Past Midnight (1948) -- were little seen low budget affairs. Unsurprisingly, Peggy turned towards television, becoming a prolific guest star on such prime time shows as The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952), Perry Mason (1957) and Bat Masterson (1958). A projected co-starring role in a 1962 sitcom, entitled "Howie", never materialised, since CBS refused to acquire the pilot episode. Nonetheless, for her contribution to TV, Peggy was awarded a Star on the 'Walk of Fame' on Hollywood Boulevard in 1960, a scant consolation for missing out on stardom. A debilitating affliction with arthritis brought about her premature retirement from acting in 1965. She spent much of her sadly few remaining years cared for by her close friend, the actress Jennifer Jones, who also reputedly paid for her medical expenses. Peggy died in July 1980, aged 57.- IMDb Mini Biography By: I.S.Mowis
- SpousesFrancis Sylvester Kellstrom(February 12, 1962 - October 22, 1962) (divorced)Jim Jordan(June 14, 1949 - December 15, 1960) (divorced, 3 children)Adrian Samish(June 9, 1942 - March 19, 1946) (divorced, 1 child)
- Suffered from a crippling arthritic condition for much of her later life. Cared for at one point by her good friend Jennifer Jones.
- For her contribution to the television industry, she has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6230 Hollywood Boulevard.
- Shapely blonde with a hard look who was initially put on display in Warner Bros. film noir, but shoved into "other woman" roles for the rest of her career. Some TV.
- Grandmother of John Orloff, Emmy-nominated writer of HBO's Band of Brothers (2001) and the film A Mighty Heart (2007), and Greg Orloff.
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