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Margaret O'Rene "Peggy" Ryan (August 28, 1924; Long Beach, California – October 30, 2004; Las Vegas, Nevada) was an American dancer, best known for starring in a series of movie musicals at Universal Pictures with Donald O'Connor and Gloria Jean. She joined her parents' vaudeville act, "The Merry Dancing Ryans," before she was two years old. Her singing, acting, and dancing skills were noticed by song-and-dance actor George Murphy, who helped her get a role in 1937's Top of the Town. She continued working in small roles until 1942, when she had a solo number in the feature film What's... MORE

Margaret O'Rene "Peggy" Ryan (August 28, 1924; Long Beach, California – October 30, 2004; Las Vegas, Nevada) was an American dancer, best known for starring in a series of movie musicals at Universal Pictures with Donald O'Connor and Gloria Jean. She joined her parents' vaudeville act, "The Merry Dancing Ryans," before she was two years old. Her singing, acting, and dancing skills were noticed by song-and-dance actor George Murphy, who helped her get a role in 1937's Top of the Town. She continued working in small roles until 1942, when she had a solo number in the feature film What's Cookin'?. The Gloria Jean-Donald O'Connor-Peggy Ryan team made a great hit with audiences and exhibitors, and the three teens made five features together. Peggy Ryan's screen character in these films was usually brash, wisecracking, and boy-crazy. In 1944 Peggy Ryan advanced to more elaborate productions, in support of Jack Oakie and Abbott and Costello. She left Universal in 1945 and married James Cross that same year; they were divorced in 1952. She returned to the screen with dancer Ray McDonald for 1949's There's a Girl in My Heart and Shamrock Hill, and 1953's All Ashore. They wed in 1953 and LESS