Peggy King, ‘George Gobel Show’ Actress and Singer of the ’50s, Dies at 96
Peggy King, the singer and actress who became a familiar face on 1950s television, has died aged 96 after living with Alzheimer’s. Her regular role on “The George Gobel Show” and her music career made her a prominent performer of the era.
Known as “Pretty Perky Peggy King”, she was nominated for an Emmy in 1955 and performed at that year’s Academy Awards. She recorded two best-selling albums for Columbia, appeared in films including “The Bad and the Beautiful”, and continued performing as late as 2014; her final released album came out in 2016. King is survived by her daughter, Suzy Rudofker.
In short
- Peggy King has died aged 96 after a battle with Alzheimer’s.
- She was a regular on “The George Gobel Show” from 1954 to 1957.
- Her career spanned television, film, recordings and live performances.
Explained simply
Peggy King was an American singer and actress whose career grew during television’s early years. In the 1950s, she became a regular performer on The George Gobel Show, a US variety programme that mixed comedy and music.
King also recorded albums for Columbia Records and appeared in films, including The Bad and the Beautiful. Her Emmy nomination and performance at the 1955 Academy Awards show how television, recording and film could bring performers to a wide audience.