RIP Margaret Kerry

 

Margaret Kerry, the Inspiration for Disney’s Tinker Bell, Has Passed Away at 97

The Dis

By Chloé Ferreira

June 12, 2026

 

The Disney community is mourning the loss of Margaret Kerry, the actress and dancer whose performances helped bring Disney’s iconic Tinker Bell to life in the 1953 animated classic Peter Pan. Kerry passed away yesterday, on June 11, 2026, at the age of 97 following a battle with lung cancer.

For Disney fans, Kerry will forever be associated with Tinker Bell. While she did not provide the character’s voice, her live-action reference performances were used by Disney animators as they crafted the beloved pixie audiences have adored for generations. Her expressive movements, charm, and personality became an important part of creating one of Disney’s most recognizable characters.

Beyond her connection to Disney, Kerry enjoyed a lengthy career spanning film, television, radio, and voice acting. Throughout the decades, she appeared in productions such as The Andy Griffith Show, The Lone Ranger, and numerous animated projects. She also remained a familiar face at Disney and fan events, where she often shared stories from Hollywood’s Golden Age and her experiences working with Walt Disney Studios.

In 2016, Kerry published her autobiography, Tinker Bell Talks: Tales of a Pixie Dusted Life, offering fans a closer look at her career through personal stories, photographs, and memories from throughout her life.

Margaret Kerry leaves behind a lasting legacy that extends far beyond a single role. Through her work, she helped create a character that continues to inspire generations of Disney fans around the world. Every flutter of pixie dust and every appearance by Tinker Bell serves as a reminder of the talent and heart she brought to Disney history.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to Margaret Kerry’s family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched throughout her extraordinary career.

KERRY, Margaret (Margaret McCarty)

Born: 5/11/1929, Springfield, Illinois, U.S.A.

Died: 6/11/2026, · Wilmington North Carolina, U.S.A.

 

Margaret Jerry’s western – actress:

The Lone Ranger (TV) - 1950 (Jane Carter)