Peggy King, the celebrated vocalist and Golden Age television presence affectionately dubbed "Pretty Perky Peggy King," has passed away at the age of 96. King died on Sunday following an extended battle with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a statement released by her publicist, Alan Eicher. At the time of her death, she was living at Saunders House, an assisted living facility located in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.
Rise to Prominence on 'The George Gobel Show'
King rose to national fame during the mid-1950s, primarily through her featured run on NBC's popular variety program "The George Gobel Show." Appearing regularly alongside the titular comedian from 1954 to 1957, King captured audiences with her vocal talents and buoyant stage demeanor, leading Gobel to bestow her with her famous alliterative moniker.
Her standout television contributions quickly earned significant critical recognition. In 1955, King won an Emmy Award for best female singer. Her profile across the industry grew rapidly during this era, culminating in her selection to co-host the 1958 Emmy Awards ceremony.
Beyond her regular tenure with Gobel, King was a staple across variety and drama broadcasting throughout the decade. She made appearances on prominent programs such as "The Bob Hope Show," "American Bandstand," "The Steve Allen Show," "The Jack Benny Program," and "The Perry Como Show." Expanding into dramatic and episodic television, she secured guest roles on classic series including "Dragnet" and "Maverick."
Recording Success and Big Screen Appearances
King’s musical ambitions translated into substantial recording success when Columbia Records executive Mitch Miller signed her to a long-term recording contract. Under the label, she earned best-selling status with the albums "Wish Upon a Star" and "Girl Meets Boy." Her vocal work received major industry accolades when both Billboard and DownBeat named her best new singer for the 1955–1956 period.
Her catalog also included a well-known industry footnote regarding Arthur Hamilton's classic tune "Cry Me a River." Hamilton originally wrote the track for King, but Miller chose not to let her record the song at the time. Nevertheless, King incorporated the ballad into her live repertoire, performing it throughout her enduring performance career. She also took the national stage at the 1955 Academy Awards, delivering a live performance of "Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)."
King simultaneously ventured onto the silver screen, beginning with an MGM contract signed in 1952. That agreement resulted in a cameo appearance in Vincente Minnelli’s acclaimed drama "The Bad and the Beautiful," where she sang "Don’t Blame Me." She returned to cinemas in 1955 with a role in the horror-comedy "Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy."
Early Beginnings and Enduring Legacy
Born on February 16, 1930, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, King was raised in Ohio and graduated from Ravenna High School. Her professional singing roots began on Cleveland radio stations before she toured with well-known big bands fronted by Charlie Spivak, Ray Anthony, and Ralph Flanagan.
Over the course of her lifetime, King's contributions to broadcasting and music were commemorated with major industry honors. On February 8, 1960, she became one of the original honorees inducted with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Decades later, in 2010, she was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame, recognizing her long history in television and music.
Married three times during her life, King is survived by her daughter, Suzy Rudofker, and her son-in-law, Dwain Goforth. Tributes from historians and classic television audiences continue to mark the passing of one of early television's signature variety stars.
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Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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