Peggy Knudsen | |
|---|---|
 Knudsen in 1956 | |
| Born | Margaret Ann Knudsen (1923-04-22)April 22, 1923 Duluth, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | July 11, 1980(1980-07-11) (aged 57) Encino, California, U.S. |
| Years active | 1940–1965 |
| Spouse(s) | Adrian P. Samish (1942–1946; divorced) Jim Jordan (1949–1960; divorced) Francis S. Kellstrom (1962–1962; divorced) |
| Children | 3[1] |
Margaret Ann "Peggy"Knudsen (April 22, 1923 – July 11, 1980) was an Americancharacter actress.
She was born Margaret Ann Knudsen inDuluth, Minnesota. Her father was Conrad Knudsen, Duluth's fire chief. Her ancestors were Irish and Norwegian.[2]
Knudsen made herBroadway debut inMy Sister Eileen (1940),[3] succeedingJo Ann Sayers, who had originated the role. The show's producer saw Knudsen working in a stage door canteen and chose her to take over the role.[4] It was Knudsen's only New York stage credit.
Knudsen began her film career in 1946 inA Stolen Life oppositeBette Davis. (In a February 15, 1948, newspaper column, entertainment writerLouella Parsons quoted Knudsen saying, "My first picture wasShadow of a Woman withHelmut Dantine. I played his ex-wife."[2] That same year, she appeared in bit parts in several films includingThe Big Sleep andHumoresque withJoan Crawford. In 1948, Knudsen ventured into a different genre of film, doing comedy instead of drama and leavingWarner Bros. to do freelance work. She also took vocal lessons fromKay Thompson.[2]Despite appearing in big budget features with established stars, Knudsen's career never took off and she was relegated to smaller roles inB movies. Her last film role was in the 1957 filmIstanbul withErrol Flynn.[5]
Knudsen played Lois Graves in the radio version ofJunior Miss,[6] Karen Adams inWoman in White.[6]: 358 and Phillipa onThe Bill Goodwin Show.[7]
Knudsen played April Adams in the comedySo This Is Hollywood onNBC (1955).[8] She also had roles inpilots for two programs –Do Not Disturb[8]: 266 andHowie –[9] which did not develop into series. In the 1950s and 1960s, Knudsen appeared in guest-starring roles on several television shows. She made two guest appearances onPerry Mason in 1958–1959; one as Sheila Bowers in "The Case of the Gilded Lily," and Marie Chapman in "The Case of the Spurious Sister." Other television appearances includedAlfred Hitchcock Presents,The Millionaire,Tombstone Territory,The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (as 'Kansas Lily'),Pete and Gladys and three times onBat Masterson (as "Louisa Carey" in 1959, as "Katie" in 1960 and as "Lottie Tremaine" in 1961). After appearing in an episode ofThe Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet in 1965, Knudsen retired from acting.[citation needed]
Knudsen's first marriage was to Adrian Samish, a radio executive. The two eloped after Knudsen's June 1942 performance inMy Sister Eileen and went toMedia, Pennsylvania, to marry.[10] They divorced in 1946. On June 15, 1949, Knudsen married Jim Jordan Jr. in Los Angeles.[11] They had three daughters together. Jordan was the son of Jim and Marian Jordan, better known asFibber McGee and Molly. The couple divorced in 1960. On February 12, 1962, Knudsen married Francis S. Kellstrom, an electrical contractor. They separated that July and were divorced October 22, 1962.[12]
She suffered from cripplingarthritis for most of her later years and was cared for by her close friend, actressJennifer Jones.[5] Her grandson is the Hollywood screenwriterJohn Orloff. On July 11, 1980, Knudsen died ofcancer inEncino, California, aged 57.[citation needed]
For her contribution to the television industry, Knudsen has a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame at 6262Hollywood Boulevard.[13]
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