Home / Arts and Entertainment / Tinker Bell's Muse, Margaret Kerry, Dies at 97
Tinker Bell's Muse, Margaret Kerry, Dies at 97
12 Jun
Summary
- Margaret Kerry, inspiration for Tinker Bell, died June 11, 2026.
- She voiced a mermaid in Disney's Peter Pan and modeled for Tinker Bell.
- Kerry battled lung cancer and was 97 at the time of her death.
Margaret Kerry, the actress who inspired Walt Disney's iconic Tinker Bell, passed away on June 11, 2026, at the age of 97. She had been bravely battling lung cancer. Kerry's unique voice and graceful movements were instrumental in the creation of Tinker Bell for the 1953 animated classic "Peter Pan." She also provided the voice for one of the film's mermaids, further contributing to its magical soundscape.
Kerry's journey as an entertainer began at a young age in Los Angeles, leading to roles in "The Little Rascals" and "The Andy Griffith Show." Her multifaceted talent included over 20 dialects and 40 individual voices, showcasing a lifetime dedicated to performance across television, movies, and radio. Her autobiography, "Tinker Bell Talks: Tales of a Pixie Dusted Life," published in 2016, detailed her rich Hollywood experiences.
Later in life, Kerry moved to the Wilmington area. She shared a heartfelt reunion and marriage with Robert Boeke in 2020, after a romance rekindled from their younger days. Boeke passed away just weeks before Kerry on May 24, 2026. Their close passing was noted as a testament to their shared love.
