Take 5 with Margaret Kerry

Sometimes heroes (and heroines) exceed expectations. Such is the case with MARGARET KERRY, who was the live action model for Tinker Bell in the 1953 animated production of Peter Pan. Kerry embodies everything people adore about America’s favorite fairy. Perhaps that’s because Tinker Bell was fashioned after her. 

“My boss said he wanted Tinker Bell to be me,” Kerry says.  

Kerry, who now resides in Wilmington, still exudes Tinker Bell’s exuberant spirit. And, though she’s ninety-six years old, Kerry continues to work. She entertains her fans both locally and throughout the country, and she’s always looking for new projects that will bring others joy.   

Kerry is a life-long entertainer. She started acting at age four, and has performed for the USO, in movies and for TV. In addition to her role as Tinker Bell, Kerry played a mermaid in Peter Pan; acted in popular TV shows such as the Little Rascals, The Three Stooges, The Andy Griffith Show, and The Ruggles; and she worked in radio and as a voiceover actress. 

Kerry owes her long career to many factors, but one of the most important was her willingness to do what the job required. For example, when Kerry didn’t know how to speak with an accent, she figured out how to do it. Much of her training was on the job, she explains. 

“You have to change to be what they need,” says Kerry. “You learned as you went.” 

Kerry was successful despite the fact that she has prosopagnosia, a neurological disease that causes facial blindness. Kerry says her prosopagnosia could get in the way of networking – a vital door-opener in show business.   

“I wouldn’t recognize people who could have helped me in the business,” she says. “I would walk by a person who was going to produce a movie and not recognize them.”  

Though Kerry has never stopped performing, she did change the way she works a few years ago. Now Kerry makes guest appearances at celebrity shows and conventions and gives talks to special groups. In each venue, she chats with children – and adults – who are thrilled to meet her. The feeling is mutual. 

“Meeting Tinker Bell lifts hearts,” Kerry says. “People tell me, ‘I’ve loved her all my life.’ How’s that? How wonderful it is when 1,000 people or 8,000 people tell you that they’ve loved you all their lives!” 

 Kerry also has a website that carries her autobiography, “Tinker Bell Talks,” and various memorabilia, and she is currently developing a video series.  

“I can’t sit in a room and twiddle my thumbs,” she says. “I don’t need to be entertained. I need to entertain others.” 

In 2019, Kerry’s life took on its own magical fairytale. Kerry, who has been widowed twice, reconnected with a former beau from her twenties. The two fell in love and married. Then Kerry’s new husband brought her to the Wilmington area.  

Whether Kerry is performing locally or is on the road, she is committed to preserving Tinker Bell’s legacy and living life to the fullest.  

“I’m going to keep Tinker Bell very special,” Kerry says. “She’s wonderful. We both meet life with faith, trust, and pixie dust.” 

Take 5 with Margaret Kelly

MARGARET KERRY brings a sprinkling of pixie dust to her new hometown of Wilmington. Kerry, who is best known as the live-action model for the 1953 animated production of Peter Pan, had a prolific career in Hollywood. She acted in additional movies as well as in popular TV shows such as The Three Stooges.  Kerry also worked in radio and as a voice-over actress. Now, the ninety-six-year-old regularly makes guest appearances at conventions and shows, and she gives presentations to organizations and groups. Whatever the venue, and wherever she is, Kerry embodies Tinker Bell, spreading joy and magic to all whom she encounters.

How did you influence the role of Tinker Bell?

“When I asked my boss how he wanted me to play Tinker Bell, he gave me carte blanche. He said he wanted Tinker Bell to be me. I love people, and people loved Tinker Bell, so it was a great match. Also, I’m a person who can’t wait to see what’s around the corner, no matter what happens. And that’s exactly who Tinker Bell is. She could hardly wait to peek around the corner to see what’s going on.” You are one of the last of a generation of Disney icons.

What responsibility comes with that?

“Disney is joy and fun and filled with lovely, hardworking people. I think twice before doing an interview. I wouldn’t think of saying or doing anything to hurt them (Disney staff) or the studio. That would be like hurting a friend.”

What are you working on now?

“I travel all over the country attending celebrity and collector shows where I get to meet people and they meet me. I giggle and laugh and have a grand time. It is fabulous. I also give talks to schoolchildren about using their imagination. And I give talks to groups. Last week, here in Wilmington, I gave a talk to (Porters Neck Country Club’s) Ladies on the Loose.”

What role besides Tinker Bell did you most enjoy?

“I have a career that reaches back to 1934, and I loved it. Sometimes I was an extra, and sometimes I was given lines, but I was in the business. I loved doing Tinker Bell, my favorite role. My second favorite role is The Little Rascals. My third favorite is The Andy Griffith Show. That was a joy.”

You have such joie de vivre. Where does that come from, and how do you keep it?

“I’m alive. I’m upright. I can go outside in the sunshine or rain or whatever it is. I don’t get too excited about things that go wrong. I believe things will come together.”

MARGARET KERRY’s full profile will appear in an upcoming WILMA Lifestyles email. To sign up for the email, go to WILMAmag.com/email-newsletter.

To view more of photographer and stylists Drewe & Kate’s work, go to dreweandkate.com

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