Peggy King, the celebrated vocalist and television personality renowned throughout the 1950s, has passed away at the age of 96. King died on a Sunday at the Saunders House Assisted Living facility in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Her death was publicly confirmed by her publicist, Alan Eicher.
Rise to Fame on 1950s Television
King reached widespread national recognition when she joined the cast of the "George Gobel Show," appearing regularly on the variety program from 1954 to 1957. Gobel affectionately coined the moniker "Pretty Perky Peggy King" for her, an alliterative nickname that remained associated with her throughout her decades in show business. Her performances on the series also led to an Emmy nomination for best female singer in 1955.
Her prominence on the screen expanded into high-profile appearances at major entertainment broadcasts during that decade. In 1955, King took the stage at the Academy Awards ceremony to perform the song "Count Your Blessings." She continued to be a staple of prime-time variety broadcasting and went on to co-host the Emmy Awards telecast in 1958.
Extensive Screen Credits and Hollywood Contracts
Throughout the golden age of television, King was a frequent guest on some of the most popular entertainment lineups. She appeared on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," "The Jack Benny Program," "The Steve Allen Show," "The Perry Como Show," "American Bandstand," and Bob Hope’s "Chevy Show." She also made visits to "The Garry Moore Show," "What’s My Line?" and Milton Berle's "The Kraft Music Hall." In addition to variety entertainment, King took on dramatic acting roles, appearing on programs such as "Dragnet" and "Maverick."
Her career on film began taking shape in 1952 after she secured a contract with MGM. The agreement led to a cameo in director Vincente Minnelli's acclaimed feature "The Bad and the Beautiful," where King contributed vocals to the soundtrack album. Additional film roles followed, including an appearance in "Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy" and a role as a flight stewardess in the 1957 thriller "Zero Hour!" alongside Dana Andrews and Linda Darnell.
King also headlined televised musical productions. She starred opposite Tab Hunter in "Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates" and appeared in a television musical adaptation of "Jack and the Beanstalk" sharing the screen with Joel Grey, Celeste Holm, and Cyril Ritchard.
Music Career and Recording History
Beyond acting, King established a substantial footprint as a recording artist. Producer Mitch Miller signed her to an extensive recording deal with Columbia Records, under which she released two best-selling albums and multiple charting singles. During this era, songwriter Arthur Hamilton composed the classic track "Cry Me a River" specifically for King, though Miller ultimately did not permit her to record the tune.
Decades later, King returned to the studio, releasing her final recording, the album "Songs a la King," in 2016. She remained an active stage performer for much of her life, holding regular live engagements across the Philadelphia region, New York, and Los Angeles as recently as 2014.
Early Life and Industry Legacy
Born on February 16, 1930, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, King was the daughter of Floyd Henry King and Margaret Finan. She attended Ravenna High School and began developing her vocal career performing on radio broadcasts in Cleveland. Early in her career, she worked as a regular performer on "The Mel Tormé Show" on CBS and gained wide commercial exposure singing a well-known jingle for Hunt’s Tomato Sauce.
Her lasting influence on early entertainment was formally commemorated across multiple honors. King was among the inaugural group of entertainers awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2010 she was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame. She is survived by her daughter, Suzy Rudofker, and son-in-law, Dwain Goforth.
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Source: Variety
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