Peggy Ryan was a highly accomplished musical performer, best known for her impressive dancing skills and charming on-screen presence. She rose to fame in the 1930s and 1940s, partnering with Donald O'Connor in a string of low-budget musicals that were reminiscent of the classic MGM musicals starring Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.
Born Margaret O'Rene Ryan in 1924, Peggy was destined for a life in the spotlight. Her parents, vaudeville dancers known as "The Merry Dancing Ryans," began performing with their young daughter as soon as she was old enough. By the time she was two years old, Peggy was already stealing the show, and she went on to learn a part in Universal's 1937 musical "Top of the Town."
Peggy's early career was marked by a series of small roles in films, including the drama "The Women Men Marry" and the classic John Ford-directed "The Grapes of Wrath." However, it was her partnership with Donald O'Connor that truly launched her career, and the two became a beloved fixture of the Universal musicals of the 1940s.
The pair's chemistry was undeniable, and they sparkled in a string of films that included "Private Buckaroo," "Give Out, Sisters," "Get Hep to Love," and "Bowery to Broadway." Peggy's buoyant personality and impressive dancing skills made her a natural fit for the musical genre, and she quickly became one of the most popular young stars of the era.
In the post-war years, Peggy began to freelance, working with other studios and pairing up with dancer Ray McDonald for a series of films. She eventually married McDonald and had a child, but the marriage ultimately ended in divorce.
Peggy continued to work in films and television throughout her career, and she even appeared in a recurring role on the popular TV series "Hawaii Five-O" in the late 1960s. She eventually retired from performing and settled down in Hawaii, where she remained active in the entertainment industry as a choreographer and dance instructor.
Despite her many accomplishments, Peggy's later years were marked by a series of health problems, including a mini-stroke in 2003 and multiple strokes that ultimately led to her death on October 30, 2004. Despite her passing, Peggy Ryan remains a beloved figure in the world of entertainment, and her legacy as a talented and charming performer continues to be celebrated to this day.
