Tinkerbell Model from 1953 Peter Pan Dies at 97

Margaret Kerry, the model for Tinkerbell in the original 1953 Peter Pan movie, has died.

She passed on Thursday at the age of 97. 

The Walt Disney Archives shared the news of her death on Instagram. 

'Through her memorable performances—and her enduring connection and dedication to Disney fans over the years—Margaret has helped illuminate the magic of these timeless characters, inspiring generations who believe in the power of faith, trust, and "just a little bit of pixie dust,"' it was stated.

She not only served as the model for the animated character, but she also pantomimed the role. 

Kerry also worked on The Andy Griffith Show and The Little Rascals.

Kerry described to Woman's World in 2025 what it was like to pose for Tinkerbell.

'At that time, they didn't have electronics. Everything was done by hand,' she said.  'So, they cast a person in the role and then filmed them with 35-millimeter film.' 

A man would film her as she acted out scenes then take that footage to the animators.

She was told to just be herself and they would build the character on that. 

And she feels fortunate to have landed the role: 'I could have been the actress who got her throat slashed in Psycho. What do you do with that? Everything that I have done, people are enjoying today. That's amazing,' she said.

Kerry - whose birthname was Peggy Lynch - was born in Illinois but raised in Los Angeles.

Her first role was as a fairy in the 1935 film A Midsummer Night's Dream, and she appeared in three Our Gang shorts, also known as The Little Rascals.

In 1948 she co-starred with Eddie Cantor in the film If You Knew Susie as she played his 'only' daughter.

Next she was in Eagle Lions, Canyon City and then was on two episodes of The Andy Griffith Show. 

She also worked as a voice actress for series like Clutch Cargo, The New Three Stooges and Space Angel. 

Kerry was married to Dick Brown from 1951 to 1984 and they had three children: Ellen, Christina and Eric. She was married to John Wilcox from 1987 until his death in 1999. 

In 2020, she married Robert Boeke, a former boyfriend, who was 94 years old. Boeke died on May 24.