Margaret Roach was an American actress known for her roles in films such as Turnabout, Road Show, and The Devil’s Sleep. Born on March 15, 1921, in Los Angeles, California, she had a brief career in Hollywood before her untimely death.
Personal and Family Life
Margaret Roach was the daughter of comedy producer Hal Roach and had a brother named Hal Roach Jr. She faced challenges early in life, including estrangement from her father after her mother’s death in 1941. Margaret was married twice, first to Ed Hinton and then to Robert Livingston, with whom she had a son named Addison Randall.
Career
Margaret began her career as a teenager in theater and nightclubs, adopting the name Diane Rochelle for a period before becoming known as Peggy Roach. She appeared in more than a dozen films during her career but never achieved leading lady status. Her last film appearance was in the 1949 crime drama, The Devil’s Sleep.
Death and Legacy
Margaret Roach passed away on November 22, 1964, at the age of 43 due to cirrhosis of the liver caused by chronic alcoholism. She was laid to rest near her mother at Holy Cross Cemetery in Los Angeles. Despite her struggles, she is remembered for her contributions to the film industry in the 1940s.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Road Show | 1941-02-18 | Priscilla |
| Turnabout | 1940-05-17 | Dixie Gale |
| Union Pacific | 1939-05-05 | Violet (uncredited) |
| Fast and Furious | 1939-10-06 | Emmy Lou |
| Riders from Nowhere | 1940-12-30 | Marian Adams |
| Captain Fury | 1939-05-26 | Tess Bailey |
| All Women Have Secrets | 1939-12-15 | Betty |
| Niagara Falls | 1941-10-17 | Honeymooner |
| Miss Polly | 1941-11-14 | School Girl (uncredited) |
| Here Comes Trouble | 1948-03-15 | Vera (uncredited) |