Peggie Castle was an American actress who rose to fame in the 1950s with her roles in B-movies and Westerns. She was known for her beauty and charm, as well as her portrayal of the “other woman” in many films. She also starred in the popular television series Lawman, where she played the saloon owner Lily Merrill. However, behind her glamorous image, Castle struggled with alcoholism and personal problems that eventually led to her premature death at the age of 45. What was Peggie Castle’s cause of death and what were the factors that contributed to her downfall? In this article, we will explore the life and career of Peggie Castle, as well as the circumstances surrounding her death.
Early Life and Career
Peggie Castle was born as Peggy Thomas Blair on December 22, 1927, in Appalachia, Virginia. Her father was a business manager for various celebrities and studios, while her mother was a homemaker. She took drama lessons when she was eight years old and graduated from Hollywood High School. She attended Mills College for two years before dropping out to pursue an acting career.
Castle was discovered by a talent scout while eating in a restaurant in Beverly Hills. She was signed to a seven-year contract with Universal-International and made her film debut in the 1947 film When a Girl’s Beautiful. In 1949, she was named “Miss Cheesecake” by the Southern California Restaurant Association and “Miss Three Alarm” by the Junior Chamber of Commerce. She later appeared in films such as Mr. Belvedere Goes to College (1949), Payment on Demand (1951), The Prince Who Was a Thief (1951), Invasion, U.S.A. (1952), Cow Country (1953), 99 River Street (1953), Beginning of the End (1957), and Arrivederci Roma (1957). She often starred in Westerns, appearing in nearly a dozen between Wagons West (1952) and Hell’s Crossroads (1957).
Television Success and Personal Problems
In the 1950s, Castle moved into television, where she found more success and recognition. She appeared in multiple guest roles on shows such as Fireside Theater, Cheyenne, 77 Sunset Strip, and The Restless Gun. In 1957, she appeared as Amy Gordon on Cheyenne in the episode titled “The Spanish Grant”. In the same year, she played defendant Sally Fenner in the Perry Mason episode, “The Case of the Negligent Nymph”. Also in 1957, she was a primary star on Gunsmoke, playing a forlorn Nita Tucker in the episode “Chester’s Murder”.
From 1959 to 1962, she co-starred in the television Western series Lawman — her first continuing series. Her role as saloon owner Lily Merrill brought out a new dimension of Castle’s talent. She stated, “For the first time in my life, I’m a singer — that’s the producer’s opinion, not mine.” Lawman was a hit show that ran for four seasons and made Castle a household name.
However, despite her professional success, Castle faced many personal problems that affected her mental and physical health. She was married four times and divorced three times. Her first husband was Revis T. Call, whom she married in 1945 and divorced in 1950. Her second husband was Robert H. Rains, whom she married in 1951 and divorced in 1954. Her third husband was William McGarry, whom she married in 1955 and divorced in 1969. They had one daughter together named Erin McGarry. Her fourth and final husband was Arthur Morganstern, whom she married in 1971.
Castle also developed alcoholism in her later years, which worsened after Lawman ended in 1962. She became depressed and isolated from her friends and family. She attempted suicide twice by overdosing on sleeping pills. She also suffered from chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Death and Legacy
On August 11, 1973, Castle’s third husband William McGarry found her body on the couch of her Hollywood apartment. Her death was later determined to be caused by cirrhosis — according to Dead or Kicking website — a condition often associated with excessive alcohol consumption. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
Peggie Castle’s death was a tragic loss to the entertainment industry and her fans. She was a talented actress who had a promising career ahead of her. She left behind a legacy of memorable performances in films and television shows that are still enjoyed by many today. She also inspired other actresses who followed her footsteps in playing strong and independent women characters.
Peggie Castle will always be remembered as a Hollywood starlet who shone brightly but burned out too soon.
