The acting community is in mourning on Monday, with the news that The Andy Griffith Show star Maggie Peterson has passed away.
The actress passed peacefully in her sleep at 81 years of age, it was confirmed by the actress’ official Facebook page and the Andy Griffith Museum.
She passed ‘peacefully in her sleep with her family present,’ with the Facebook post revealing she had been in declining health since the death of her husband of over 40 years, jazz musician Gus Mancuso, who passed in December.
R.I.P.: The acting community is in mourning on Monday, with the news that The Andy Griffith Show star Maggie Peterson has passed away
Confirmed: The actress passed peacefully in her sleep at 81 years of age, it was confirmed by the actress’ official Facebook page and the Andy Griffith Museum
‘Maggie’s health took a turn for the worse after the death of her husband Gus and we are relieved that we were able to move her home to be close to family for her last days,’ the post read.
‘Maggie wanted this community to know how much you meant to her over the past three years. Despite being in Las Vegas and away from her family, your love and devotion helped her to not feel alone. She made many mentions to us about how she couldn’t believe how generous you all were. You truly made a positive impact on her life and helped her during some very difficult times,’ the post added.
The Andy Griffith Museum added on Facebook and Instagram, ‘It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Maggie Peterson Mancuso. Maggie will forever be remembered by Mayberry Fans as Charlene Darling on “The Andy Griffith Show.” She brought so much joy to her fans, and to our Mayberry Days Festival. We will miss you Maggie.’
Great sadness: The Andy Griffith Museum added on Facebook and Instagram, ‘It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Maggie Peterson Mancuso. Maggie will forever be remembered by Mayberry Fans as Charlene Darling on “The Andy Griffith Show.” She brought so much joy to her fans, and to our Mayberry Days Festival. We will miss you Maggie’
Margaret Ann Peterson was born January 10, 1941 in Greeley, Colorado, growing up in a musical family who formed a group called the Ja-Da Quartet.
After being discovered at a Capitol Records convention, Peterson and the group went to New York after she graduated high school, and released an album in 1959 entitled It’s the Most Happy Sound.
While the band ultimately broke up and they all moved back to Colorado, Peterson joined The Ernie Mariani Trio, where she was discovered by The Andy Griffith Show director Bob Sweeney and producer Aaron Ruben.
Musical: Margaret Ann Peterson was born January 10, 1941 in Greeley, Colorado, growing up in a musical family who formed a group called the Ja-Da Quartet
She played Charlene Darling on the hit series, and also performed three songs on the series between 1963 and 1964.
She also had roles in Gomer Pyle: USMC, The Bill Dana Show, The Queen And I, Love American Style, Green Acres, Mayberry RFD and Odd Man Out.
Peterson reprised her role as Charlene Darling in the 1986 TV movie Return to Mayberry, with her final acting role on a 1987 episode of The Magical World of Disney.
Bill Dana: She also had roles in Gomer Pyle: USMC, The Bill Dana Show, The Queen And I, Love American Style, Green Acres, Mayberry RFD and Odd Man Out
She changed careers in the 1990s, working as a location assistant and location manager on films like Casino, Mars Attacks!, Go and Pay It Forward.
She is preceded in death by her husband Gus Mancuso, who she first met in 1968 and married in 1978.
The family revealed on Facebook that they are , ‘planning a private service for Maggie in the next few weeks.’
Career: She changed careers in the 1990s, working as a location assistant and location manager on films like Casino, Mars Attacks!, Go and Pay It Forward