Peggy Knudsen

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Peggy Knudsen
Encino, California, U.S.
Years active1940–1965
Spouse(s)Adrian P. Samish (1942–1946; divorced)
Jim Jordan (1949–1960; divorced)
Francis S. Kellstrom (1962–1962; divorced)
Children3[1]

Margaret Ann "Peggy" Knudsen (April 22, 1923 – July 11, 1980) was an American character actress.

Early life

She was born Margaret Ann Knudsen in Duluth, Minnesota. Her father was Conrad Knudsen, Duluth's fire chief. Her ancestors were Irish and Norwegian.[2]

Career

Stage

Knudsen made her Broadway debut in My Sister Eileen (1940),[3] succeeding Jo 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.

Film

Knudsen began her film career in 1946 in

A Stolen Life opposite Bette Davis. (In a February 15, 1948, newspaper column, entertainment writer Louella Parsons quoted Knudsen saying, "My first picture was Shadow of a Woman with Helmut Dantine. I played his ex-wife." [2] That same year, she appeared in bit parts in several films including The Big Sleep and Humoresque with Joan Crawford. In 1948, Knudsen ventured into a different genre of film, doing comedy instead of drama and leaving Warner Bros. to do freelance work. She also took vocal lessons from Kay Thompson.[2]
Despite appearing in big budget features with established stars, Knudsen's career never took off and she was relegated to smaller roles in B movies. Her last film role was in the 1957 film Istanbul with Errol Flynn.[5]

Radio

Knudsen played Lois Graves in the radio version of Junior Miss,[6] Karen Adams in Woman in White.[6]: 358  and Phillipa on The Bill Goodwin Show.[7]

Television

Knudsen played April Adams in the comedy So This Is Hollywood on

The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet in 1965, Knudsen retired from acting.[citation needed
]

Personal life and death

Knudsen's first marriage was to Adrian Samish, a radio executive. The two eloped after Knudsen's June 1942 performance in My Sister Eileen and went to Media, 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 as Fibber 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 crippling

Encino, California, aged 57.[citation needed
]

Recognition

For her contribution to the television industry, Knudsen has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6262 Hollywood Boulevard.[13]

Filmography

Television

References

  1. ^ "Peggy Knudsen - The Private Life and Times of Peggy Knudsen. Peggy Knudsen Pictures". glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  2. ^
    Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. ^ "("Peggy Knudsen" search results)". Playbill Vault. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  4. Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ^ a b Wollstein, Hans J. "Peggy Knudsen Biography". Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  6. ^
    ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4
    . P. 185.
  7. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3
    . Retrieved 2019-10-11.
  8. ^
    ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7
    . P. 987.
  9. ISBN 9781511590679
    . Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  10. Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  11. ^ "Marriages". Billboard. July 2, 1949. p. 54. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  12. Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  13. ^ "Peggy Knudsen". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved 12 December 2016.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peggy_Knudsen&oldid=1225041039"