Peggy Fears American actress Date of Birth: 01.06.1903 Country: USA

Biography of Peggy Fears

Peggy Fears was an American actress who performed in Broadway musical comedies during the 1920s and 1930s, and later became a theater producer on Broadway. She was born on June 1, 1903, in New Orleans, Louisiana. At the age of 16, she left her hometown and headed to New York City.

One day, her acquaintance Jock Whitney, a Yale University student, invited her to the "Richman Club," a nightclub where her singing caught the attention of singer Helen Morgan. Morgan, who was only slightly older than the talented Southern girl, suggested that Peggy audition for the famous entrepreneur Florenz Ziegfeld. Ziegfeld had been staging his renowned Broadway productions called "Ziegfeld Follies" since 1907, drawing inspiration from Parisian vaudeville and constantly seeking new talented beauties.

Starting with the musical comedy "Have a Heart" in 1917, Fears appeared in 10 Broadway productions, including "Ziegfeld Follies" in 1925. The following year, she appeared in another Ziegfeld production, "No Foolin'," alongside Edna Leedom, the quartet "The Yacht Club Boys," and a group of young stars in the chorus, including Paulette Goddard, Susan Fleming, Clare Luce, and Baby Vogt.

In 1932, Fears made her debut as a Broadway producer with the romantic comedy "Child of Manhattan," written by Preston Sturges. Over the next two years, she produced three more plays: "Nona," "Music in the Air," and "A Divine Moment," in which Peggy played the lead female role. Her only appearance in film was in 1935 when she portrayed Gaby Aimee in "The Lottery Lover."

In 1971, Louise Brooks, an actress and dancer known for popularizing the "bob" haircut, published her memoir in the British film magazine "Sight & Sound." She recalled her acquaintance with Peggy Fears, with whom she had not only a friendly relationship but also a romantic one. Brooks described 22-year-old Peggy as a lovely girl with a tender voice and smooth chestnut hair that required no coloring or curling. Despite her showgirl peers' expensive dresses, Peggy dressed like a schoolgirl in sweaters and simple skirts. However, her extraordinary sense of humor attracted people to her. Peggy, the most popular showgirl, and Louise, who was not particularly loved among colleagues, became close friends. Peggy would bring corn whiskey disguised as tea in an expensive English teapot to the dressing room, read tabloids, and within a week of meeting, they moved in together.

Peggy Fears was also good friends with the renowned comedian, juggler, and writer Bill Fields. Fields rarely had relationships with beautiful women but enjoyed the company of intelligent, cheerful, and resourceful Peggy.

On June 19, 1927, Peggy married Alfred Cleveland Blumenthal, a theater producer and real estate trader. They co-produced the play "Music in the Air," which ran for 342 performances from 1932 to 1933. Blumenthal earned $15 million during the first three years of their marriage, and Peggy spent without restraint. She bought five Rolls-Royces, a chinchilla fur coat for $65,000, and more, leaving only $300 in her bank account. Her husband was so outraged by Peggy's extravagance that they separated. They later reconciled and renewed their vows but divorced for good in 1950. Alfred went to Mexico, while Peggy spent her evenings in nightclubs.

Despite her marriage, Peggy was bisexual, and perhaps a lesbian, and genuinely preferred the company of women over men. For a time, her partner was Tedi Thurman, a model and actress from the 1950s. In the later years of her life, Peggy invested in construction and real estate. She passed away on August 24, 1994, in California at the age of 91.