Margaret Kerry

Biography

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 returned to Los Angeles City College and graduated 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. 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. 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. 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 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.