Who Was Maggie Peterson? “The Andy Griffith Show” Actor Dies at 81

American actor and singer best known for playing the character of Charlene Darling on CBS’ American sitcom, The Andy Griffith Show, has died. She was 81 years old.

Apart from first appearing as Charlene in 1963 near the end of the comedy’s third season, Peterson had also appeared on other TV shows namely Love American Style, Green Acres, Gomer Pyle USMC, and The Odd Couple. She appeared in an episode of Mayberry R.F.D. as Edna, a cafe attendant; in the 1986 film Return to Mayberry; as Rose Ellen in the 1969 film The Love God?, starring next to Don Knotts; and in the 1968 film Angel in My Pocket. 

Who Was Maggie Peterson

Growing up in a musical family in Colorado, Peterson’s earliest memories were of music. In 1954 at America’s Universal Music Group’s Capitol Records convention, her manager, Dick Linke, heard Peterson singing. Impressed with her voice, he encouraged her to come to New York. In 1958, after graduating high-school, Peterson and her family vocal group released their album, “It’s The Most Happy Sound,” before breaking up. Peterson joined another group, The Ernie Mariani Trio (later renamed Margaret Ann and the Ernie Mariani Trio). Frank Sinatra and Rat Pack were among the audiences as she performed  and had stints in resort areas such as Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and Reno. On those tours itself, she was discovered by The Andy Griffith Show director Bob Sweeny and producer Aaron Ruben.

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The Hollywood Reporter also mentioned that after retiring from acting in the late 1980s, she worked for the Nevada Film Commission and served as a location manager on such films as Casino (1995), Mars Attacks! (1996) and Pay It Forward (2000).

According to Deadline, her family vocal group was called the Ja-Da Quartet. In addition, 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.”