Peggy King, a notable entertainer of television’s golden age, died following a prolonged illness with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 96 years old at the time of her death, which occurred on Sunday, according to her publicist Alan Eicher. King had been residing at the Saunders House assisted living facility in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.
King achieved her greatest fame during the 1950s as a television personality and recording artist. She gained particular recognition for her work on The George Gobel Show, which ran from 1954 to 1957, earning the affectionate nickname “Pretty Perky Peggy King” from the show’s host. Her television performance earned her an Emmy award in 1955 for best female singer. Beyond this flagship program, King made appearances across the decade’s most prominent variety and dramatic programs, including offerings hosted by Bob Hope, Perry Como, Steve Allen, and Jack Benny, along with guest spots on series such as Maverick and Dragnet.
Her entertainment career extended to film and recording. Following an MGM contract signed in 1952, King appeared in Vincente Minnelli’s The Bad and the Beautiful and the 1955 horror-comedy Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy. As a recording artist, she was signed by Columbia Records executive Mitch Miller and released two albums that achieved commercial success. Industry publications DownBeat and Billboard recognized her as best new singer for 1955–56. King performed at the 1955 Academy Awards and had a star placed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Feb. 8, 1960, placing her among the inaugural group of recipients.
Born Feb. 16, 1930, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, King began her career singing on radio in Cleveland before performing with orchestras led by Charlie Spivak, Ray Anthony, and Ralph Flanagan. In 2010, she was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame. She is survived by her daughter, Suzy Rudofker, and son-in-law Dwain Goforth.
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