The inspiring woman who brought Tinker Bell to life for Disney's 1953 animated classic is proving that pixie dust knows no age limit. Margaret Kerry, the live-action reference model for the beloved fairy, is still flourishing at the remarkable age of 96, captivating audiences with her tap dancing and sharing a heartwarming tale of rediscovered love.
A Life in the Spotlight
Kerry's career extends far beyond the halls of Disney. She had a successful run in television, most notably playing Bess Muggins in The Andy Griffith Show from 1960 to 1961. Her filmography also includes an appearance on The Lone Ranger in 1950 and a role as a housewife in 48 episodes of The New 3 Stooges in 1965. She documented her vast experiences in her 2016 memoir, Tinker Bell Talks! Tales Of A Pixie Dusted Life.
Her connection to her fans remains strong. As recently as September, she appeared at the annual Mayberry Days festival in Mount Airy, North Carolina, a celebration of The Andy Griffith Show. There, she delivered a stunning tap dance performance for the crowd, a testament to her enduring vitality. Videos of her routine are available on YouTube, and before the event, she proudly told Woman's World, "Oh, I'll be tap dancing on Saturday night."
The Magic Behind the Fairy
Reflecting on her time as the physical inspiration for Tinker Bell, Kerry described the painstaking, pre-digital process. "At that time, they didn’t have electronics. Everything was done by hand," she explained. "So, they cast a person in the role and then filmed them with 35-millimeter film." This meticulous work, where she pantomimed the pixie's movements, took nine months to complete, ultimately helping to create one of animation's most enduring characters.
A Valentine's Day Romance Decades in the Making
Perhaps the most enchanting chapter of Kerry's life unfolded in her tenth decade. In 2019, she reconnected with her long-lost love, WWII veteran Robert Boeke, who was 94 at the time. The reunion came about after his friends reached out to her via email. Their bond was immediate, even with Boeke calling her from France while abroad for the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
Kerry recalled her surprise, telling Woman's World, "You don’t think I wasn’t impressed? I’d been a widow for 20 years. I wasn’t thinking of getting together with anyone." After an initial plan to meet at Mayberry Days fell through due to Boeke's 94th birthday party, he drove eight hours to see her just three weeks later. Kerry sweetly described the moment as "love at second sight."
Not one to wait, Kerry revealed that she was the one who proposed, asking, "What else was I supposed to do? He wasn't saying anything." The couple sealed their decades-delayed happy ending, marrying on Valentine's Day 2020 at the Little Brown Church in Studio City, California. They now enjoy an active life together, with Kerry praising Boeke's driving, cooking, and even his coveted Costco card.
Born Peggy Lynch on May 11, 1929, Margaret Kerry took her stage name when she began acting. She was previously married to Dick Brown from 1951 until 1984 and later to John Wilcox from 1987 until his death in 1999. Her story is a powerful reminder that life, much like the magic of Tinker Bell, can hold wonderful surprises at any age.
