Peterson’s vocal skills later were utilized on the Griffith show, when Darlene would join in the family singalongs, most notably with her rendition of the bluegrass standard “Salty Dog.” The group was noticed at a record convention by Griffith’s manager Dick Linke. “Maggie’s health took a turn for the worse after the death of her husband Gus,” the family wrote, “and we are relieved that we were able to move her home to be close to family for her last days.”Ī Colorado native, Peterson began her show business career in the 1950s as a singer, performing with a family vocal group called the Ja-Da Quartet. Peterson, who lived in Las Vegas, recently lost her husband of more than 40 years, the jazz musician Gus Mancuso, who died in December. She retired from acting following a 1987 role on The Magical World of Disney and subsequently worked for the Nevada Film Commission Peterson, who occasionally used her married name Maggie Mancuso, also appeared in The Bill Dana Show - like Griffith, a spinoff of The Danny Thomas Show - Love, American Style, Green Acres and The Odd Couple, and the 1969 feature The Over-the-Hill Gang. She returned to the Mayberry universe in 1986, reprising her Charlene role in the TV reunion movie Return to Mayberry. She also appeared in the 1969 feature films Angel in My Pocket (starring Griffith) and The Love God? (starring Griffith regular Don Knotts). With her appearances as Charlene from 1963-66, Peterson became a de facto member of Griffith’s unofficial repertory of actors, returning to the sitcom and its spinoffs Gomer Pyle: USMC and Mayberry R.F.D. In one episode, Peterson’s Charlene was betrothed, by mountain custom, to an unwitting Sheriff Andy Taylor (Griffith), while in a later episode it was Charlene’s infant daughter who was betrothed to Andy’s young son Opie (Ron Howard). Other songs that made Charlene cry: “Slimy River Bottom,” “Boil that Cabbage Down” and “Keep Your Money in Your Shoes and It Won’t Get Wet.” Peterson developed a catchphrase with her repeated entreaties about the sentimental impact of outrageously titled song suggestions, as in the following exchange with Pyle’s character:īriscoe: “How ’bout ‘Don’t Hit Your Grandma with a Great Big Stick’?”Ĭharlene: “No, Paw! That one makes me cry!” Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2022: Photo Gallery
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |