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A Life Among the Stars
Starting work at the age
of four, Margaret was originally named Peggy Lynch until
she landed the part of the teenage daughter of Eddie
Cantor and Joan Davis in the comedy-musical "If
You Knew Susie." Thirteen years before, director
Gordon Douglas had cast her as a dancer and actor in
"The Little Rascals." Now, he assigned her
a spectacular dance number staged by Nick Castle and
Charlie O'Curran titled "My Brooklyn Love Song."
Mr. Cantor, searching for weeks for a new stage name
for his "winsome daughter" decided on Margaret
Kerry. The new name came just in time for the movie's
credits.
While working on the movie, Margaret graduated
high school with honors. Years later, she would return
to Los Angeles City College and graduate cum laude.
Leaving RKO, she headed for Fox to handle assistant
dance director duties on the super musical "I'll
Get By," starring June Haver, John Payne, Gloria
DeHaven and Dennis Day.
Margaret (far left) with the cast of "If You
Knew Susie."
A
Ruggles-Rat
After performing in dozens of TV shows, Margaret starred
as co-host/performer in "Teleteen Reporter"
on Channel 13 in Los Angeles, which ran for over two
years. At ABC-TV, she was featured in the musical "Let
There Be Stars" and in Art Baker's "Stop,
Look and Listen." "The Charlie Ruggles Show,"
one of the first network television family sitcoms,
cast Margaret as the eldest daughter, Sharon. America
watched her grow up over the years on their television
sets. The final episode was her wedding and honeymoon—a
major media event.
Margaret Lands
the Role of Tinker Bell
Walt Disney was searching for a nimble mime/dancer/actor
to be filmed performing live-action work for the tiny
Tinker Bell in the animated feature
"Peter Pan." Margaret won the role and became
the reference model for the three-inch sprite. Famed
animator Marc Davis drew Tinker Bell's antics based
on Margaret's acting. She also performed the voice of
the red-headed mermaid in the movie.
Clutch Cargo
A successful voice-over career ensued, using Margaret's
skills in 21 different dialects and 48 various character
voices in over 600 animated shows. She is the voice
of Spinner and Paddlefoot and the females in the famous
vintage "Clutch Cargo" animated series. "Captain
Fathom" and "Space Angel" followed. Margaret
can also be seen in many of the hilarious live-action
segments that open and close the 139 episodes of "The
New Three Stooges," as well as be heard in the
animated portion voicing all the kids, females, and
various odd characters.
Margaret Moves
on to Radio
Margaret later produced her own radio show called "What's
Up Weekly" at KKLA 99.5—the most listened-to
Christian talk radio station in the world. In 1993 she
became the station's Community Services Director, and
she also headed up the Southern California Buyers Network,
a program linking 100+ sponsors to over 200 non-profit
organizations, allowing the group to earn money for
charities.
Margaret continues to be in demand as
a keynote and motivational speaker, communications trainer,
storyteller and humorist. A certified seminar leader
by the American Seminar Leaders Association, she is
also co-author and facilitator of the FUNdamentals of
Speaking Seminars.
Click here
to view a slide show of some of the memorable moments
from Margaret's "pixie-dusted" history, with
notes from Margaret herself!
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