The actress of “The Andy Griffith Show” was 81 – Deadline

Maggie Petersonthe actress who made a lasting impression as the cute and sometimes flirty mountain girl Charlene Darling Andy Griffith Show Declared her family in the 1960s, she died May 15 in Colorado.

The family posted on the site Facebook today. “She passed peacefully in her sleep with her family.”

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Although she has appeared in only five episodes of the classic country sitcom as Charlene, Peterson has been among the most popular and memorable recurring cast members, often joining her on-screen family The Darlings (played by a bluegrass group). Realistic Grace The Dillards, alongside actor Denver Bale as Patriarch Briscoe Darling) to sing the singles.

Peterson developed a famous phrase with her frequent pleas about the emotional impact of the outrageously titled song suggestions, as in the following exchange with Bale’s character:

Briscoe: “How ’bout’ not to hit your grandmother with a big stick”?

Charlene: “No, Paw! That makes me cry!”

Other songs that made Charlene cry: “Slimy River Bottom,” “Boil that Cabbage Down,” and “Keep your money in your shoes and it will not be wet.”

In one episode, Charlene of Peterson is betrothed, according to mountain tradition, to unwitting sheriff Andy Taylor (Griffith), while in a later episode it is Charlene’s infant daughter who was betrothed to Andy’s young son Obie (Ron Howard).

With her appearance as Charlene from 1963 to 1966, Peterson became a de facto member of Griffith’s unofficial ensemble cast, returning to sitcoms and its spin-offs. Gomer Pyle: US Marines And Mayberry RFD. as other characters. She also appeared in the feature films in 1969 Angel in my pocket (starring Griffiths) and Do you love God? (championship Griffith without regular knots). She returned to Mayberry World in 1986, to reprise her role as Charlene in the TV movie Reunion Back to Mayberry.

Peterson, who sometimes used her married name Maggie Mancuso, appeared in Bill Dana Show – Like Griffithwhich is part of Danny Thomas Show – love, american style, greenery And strange coupleand feature 1969 Over the Hill Gang. I retired from acting after a role in 1987 Disney’s Magical World He then served on the Nevada Film Commission

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Peterson, who lived in Las Vegas, recently lost her husband of more than 40 years, jazz musician Jose Mancuso, who died in December. The family wrote: “Maggie’s health deteriorated after the death of her husband, Gus, and we are relieved that we were able to move her home to be close to her family in her final days.”

Born in Colorado, Peterson began her show business career in the 1950s as a singer, performing with a family vocal group called Ja-Da Quartet. The group was noticed at a record conference by Griffith director Dick Link. Peterson’s vocal skills were later used on Griffith Show, when Darlene joins the family’s singles, most notably with her introduction of the bluegrass standard “Salty Dog.”

Peterson has often participated in Mayberry fan club events, with her family writing to fans today: “Even though she is in Las Vegas and away from her family, your love and dedication have helped her not to feel lonely. She has often mentioned to us how unbelievable you were You are all generous. You have truly made a positive impact on her life and helped her through some very difficult times… We hope that during this difficult time you can find solace in knowing how important you are to making the end of Maggie’s life that much better.”

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