Peggy Maley

Peggy Maley was an American actress best known for her roles in The Wild One, Human Desire, and Climax!. She was born on June 8, 1923, in Port Carbon, Pennsylvania, and passed away on October 1, 2007, in Hatfield, Pennsylvania.

Personal and Family Life

Peggy Maley married Richard Eugene Rafeld in 1952, but their marriage ended in divorce the same year. Later, in 1972, she married Donald Schonbrun, with whom she remained until his death in 1994. Throughout her life, she had various high-profile relationships, including rumored romances with King Farouk of Egypt and producer Harry Cohn.

Career

Maley began her acting career after being crowned “Miss Atlantic City” in 1942. She gained fame for her performances in films during the 1950s and later decided to leave Hollywood in 1960 to manage her father’s bars and grills in New Jersey. Despite the shift in her career, she maintained friendships with notable figures in the entertainment industry, such as Farley Granger and Ava Gardner.

Death and Legacy

Peggy Maley died on October 1, 2007, at the age of 84. Her contributions to the film industry during the 1950s remain significant, and she is remembered for her memorable performances in several classic films. Her life experiences, from Hollywood fame to managing family businesses, reflect her dynamic personality and adaptability.

Filmography

TitleRelease DateCharacter
Human Desire1954-08-05Jean
Indestructible Man1956-03-24Francine
The Midnight Story1957-06-04Veda Pinelli
The Bigamist1953-12-03Phone Operator
I Want You1951-12-22Gladys
The Wild One1953-12-30Mildred
Meet the People1944-06-01Show Girl (uncredited)
The Gun Runners1958-08-01Blonde Barfly (uncredited)
A Guy Named Joe1943-12-24Woman (uncredited)
Anchors Aweigh1945-08-13Lana Turner Impersonator (uncredited)
Between Two Women1945-03-28Showgirl (uncredited)
The Lady Says No1952-01-06Midge
The Guns of Fort Petticoat1957-04-01Lucy Conover
Man on the Prowl1957-12-01Alma Doran
Borrowed Blonde1947-03-07Pretty Blonde Neighbor
The Brothers Rico1957-09-01
Escape from San Quentin1957-09-01Georgia Gilbert
I Died a Thousand Times1955-11-09Kranmer’s Girl (uncredited)
Okefenokee1959-04-22
Live Fast, Die Young1958-04-01Sue Hawkins
Gypsy Colt1954-04-02Pat
Bathing Beauty1944-06-27Co-Ed (uncredited)
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo1944-11-15Girl in Officers’ Club (uncredited)
Wife Tames Wolf1947-03-28Female Character
Perry Mason1957-09-21Lola Florey
The Thin Man1957-09-20
Wanted: Dead or Alive1958-09-06Belle
Dragnet1951-12-16
Peter Gunn1958-09-22
Richard Diamond, Private Detective1957-07-01Claire Toujours
The Millionaire1955-01-19Velma Fullerton
Climax!1954-10-07Grace Knight
The Rifleman1958-09-30
Lock-Up1959-09-28
The Texan1958-09-29
Panic!1957-03-05
The Barbara Stanwyck Show1960-09-19
Hey, Jeannie!1956-09-08Boo Boo
Richard Diamond, Private Detective1957-07-01Babs Felt
Four Star Playhouse1952-09-25Lucy
Perry Mason1957-09-21Edna Freeman
Perry Mason