Peggy Ryan was an American actress known for her roles in movies and television. She gained fame for her performances in films like “Hawaii Five-O,” and “The Grapes of Wrath,” along with various musical comedies during the 1940s.
Personal and Family Life
Peggy Ryan, born Margaret O’Rene Ryan on August 28, 1924, came from a family of vaudeville entertainers. She was married three times and had three children, one with each husband. Her son from her last marriage, Shawn Edward Arthur, was adopted and has a diverse heritage, while her other children are James Cross and Kerry Sherman.
Career Highlights
Peggy was a talented musical performer who became famous for dancing alongside Donald O’Connor in several low-budget musicals during World War II. She also took part in dramas like “The Grapes of Wrath.” After marrying Eddie Sherman, she mostly stepped back from film but made a significant comeback with a recurring role in “Hawaii Five-O”, playing the character Jenny from 1969 to 1976.
Death and Legacy
Peggy Ryan passed away on October 30, 2004, in Las Vegas, Nevada, due to complications from strokes. Before her passing, she continued to teach and perform until just days before her hospitalization. Her contributions to entertainment, especially in musical comedies, have left a lasting impact.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Here Come the Co-eds | 1945-02-02 | Patty Gayle |
| Follow the Boys | 1944-05-05 | Peggy Ryan |
| That’s the Spirit | 1945-06-01 | Sheila Gogarty |
| All Ashore | 1953-03-03 | Gay Night |
| Get Hep to Love | 1942-10-02 | Betty Blake |
| Miss Annie Rooney | 1942-05-29 | Myrtle |
| Patrick the Great | 1945-05-04 | Judy Watkin |
| Babes on Swing Street | 1944-10-27 | Trudy Costello |
| Mister Big | 1943-05-28 | Peggy |
| The Merry Monahans | 1944-09-15 | Patsy Monahan |
| Top Man | 1943-09-17 | Jane Warren |
| The Flying Irishman | 1939-04-07 | Edith Corrigan |
| Girls’ Town | 1942-03-06 | Penny |
| Chip Off the Old Block | 1944-02-01 | Peggy Flaherty |
| The Grapes of Wrath | 1940-03-15 | Hungry Girl (uncredited) |
| This Is the Life | 1944-06-01 | Sally McGuire |
| What’s Cookin’? | 1942-02-20 | Peggy |
| The Women Men Marry | 1937-09-10 | Mary Jane |
| Billy Rose’s Casa Mañana Revue | 1938-04-26 | Peggy Dixon |
| When Johnny Comes Marching Home | 1942-12-24 | Dusty |
| Private Buckaroo | 1942-06-12 | Peggy |
| Bowery to Broadway | 1944-11-03 | Specialty dancer |
| There’s a Girl in My Heart | 1949-12-19 | Sally Mullin |
| Top of the Town | 1937-04-17 | Peggy |
| Men in Her Diary | 1945-09-14 | Doris Mann |
| Sailor’s Lady | 1940-07-05 | Ellen |
| On Stage Everybody | 1945-07-13 | Molly Sullivan |
| Shamrock Hill | 1949-02-01 | Eileen Rogan |
| She Married a Cop | 1939-07-11 | Trudy |
| Pleasure Palace | 1980-10-22 | Elderly Woman |
| The Wedding of Jack and Jill | 1930-04-30 | Jill |
| Hawaii Five-O | 1968-09-20 | Jenny |
| Simon & Simon | 1981-11-24 |