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The Real-Life Inspiration for Disney's Tinker Bell
22 Jun
Summary
- Margaret Kerry inspired the definitive Tinker Bell in Disney's 1953 film.
- She used pantomime for over six months to create the fairy's movements.
- Kerry died on June 11 at her home at the age of 97.
Margaret Kerry, the actress whose movements and expressions inspired the beloved Tinker Bell in Disney's 1953 film "Peter Pan," passed away on June 11. She was 97 and died at her home in Wilmington, N.C., due to lung cancer.
Kerry's unique performance was instrumental in shaping the definitive portrayal of the fairy. For over six months, she meticulously acted out Tinker Bell's actions and emotions. This allowed illustrators, like Marc Davis, to animate the character, who communicates solely through gestures and expressions.
Her journey to becoming Tinker Bell began with an audition where she performed a detailed pantomime to showcase her range of movement. She was told by director Gerry Geronimi, "Margaret, we want her to be you," a moment that solidified her connection to the character.
Born Margaret McCarty in Springfield, Ill., on May 11, 1929, Kerry was adopted and later found success in Hollywood, appearing in "Our Gang" shorts and films like "If You Knew Susie." She also had a career in radio.
In her later years, Kerry found love again, marrying Robert Boeke in 2020 after a rekindled romance from decades prior. She is survived by her three children and several grandchildren.
