Kerry Ward

Margaret Kerry, born Peggy Lynch, is an American actress, dancer, and voice artist. She gained significant recognition for her work with Walt Disney Pictures, serving as the physical model and pantomime reference for the character of Tinker Bell in the animated film Peter Pan. Her early career included roles in films and a stint as a dancer and actress in the "Our Gang" comedies. Kerry also worked as a camera double for Elizabeth Taylor and later adopted the name Margaret Kerry at the suggestion of Eddie Cantor.

Beyond her Disney work, Kerry has had a varied career in television, appearing in shows like "The Ruggles" and "The Andy Griffith Show." She is also a prolific voice artist, known for her range of dialects and character voices, contributing to numerous animated series such as "Clutch Cargo" and "Space Angel." In her later life, Kerry transitioned into radio production and hosting, focusing on Christian programming, and has been involved in various speaking engagements and community outreach initiatives. She has also authored her autobiography and a booklet about her experience with prosopagnosia.

Born Peggy Lynch in Springfield, Illinois, Margaret Kerry was adopted and moved to Los Angeles. Her acting career began at a young age, with an early role as a fairy in Max Reinhardt's 1935 film "A Midsummer Night's Dream." She also appeared in "Our Gang" comedies and served as a camera double for Elizabeth Taylor in "National Velvet." Her association with Eddie Cantor led to a role in "If You Knew Susie" and a name change to Margaret Kerry, deemed more suitable for an acting career. Kerry's most iconic role was as the physical reference for Tinker Bell in Disney's "Peter Pan." Selected for her dancing abilities, she spent six months pantomiming the character's movements on a sound stage, providing essential visual cues for animators, particularly Marc Davis. She also lent her voice and provided reference movements for a mermaid character in the film.

Margaret Kerry demonstrated considerable talent as a voice artist, possessing proficiency in twenty-one dialects and forty-eight distinct character voices. This skill led to her involvement in numerous television productions. As a teenager, she played "Sharon" in "The Ruggles," one of television's first network sitcoms. Her television credits also include appearances on "The Andy Griffith Show" and "The Lone Ranger." A significant portion of her voice work was for children's programming, notably on "Clutch Cargo," where she voiced characters like "Paddlefoot" and "Spinner" across 52 episodes. She also contributed numerous voices and live-action segments for "The New Three Stooges" and "Space Angel."

Transitioning from acting, Kerry became a prominent figure in Christian radio, serving as producer, writer, and host for "What's Up Weekly - Ministry Loves Company" on KKLA-FM in Los Angeles from 1992 to 2004. In this role, she also directed community services and managed outreach programs connecting with over 200 non-profit organizations. Kerry has also engaged in public speaking, functioning as a certified seminar leader and co-author of "The FUNdamentals of Speaking Seminars." She remains active in the animation community, having served on the board of ASIFA-Hollywood. Her personal experiences, including living with prosopagnosia (face blindness), have been shared through her autobiography, "Tinker Bell Talks: Tales of a Pixie Dusted Life," and a self-published booklet titled "They All Look Alike To Me."