Peggy Wood
(1892 - 1978)Although she was best known for two excellent characterizations she created, she was indeed a versatile and talented actress. Small and slight with blonde hair, a very warm smile and sparkling eyes she was adept at playing kindly, maternal types. She was also a fine dialectician able to portray all sorts of ethnic roles. She was born Margaret Wood in Brooklyn, New York on February 9, 1892 the daughter of a journalist and humorist. She began early at age 8 with voice and singing lessons and by 18 had made her Broadway stage debut in the chorus of "Naughty Marietta." She became a respected stage actress appearing in London and elsewhere and even touring with the USO during World War II. It was television that brought her worldwide acclaim when she was cast in the title role on TV's "I Remember Mama" in 1949. She continued her theatre work and lectured, did philanthropic work and even wrote newspaper and magazine articles on theatre and acting. Her film career was slight as her heart was in theatre but her film roles are unforgettable. Her film credits include: "Almost a Husband" (1919) a silent comedy, as Eva McEwlyn, her film debut; "Wonder of Women" (1929) as Birgitte; "Handy Andy" (1934) as Ernestine Yates; "The Right to Live" (1935) as Nurse Wayland; "A Star is Born" (1937) as Miss Phillips; "The Housekeeper's Daughter" (1939) as Olga; "The Bride Wore Boots" (1946) as Grace Apley; "Dream Girl" (1948) as Lucy Allerton; "The Story of Ruth" (1960) as Naomi, one of my favorites of her performances; "The Sound of Music" (1965) as Mother Abbess, an extraordinary performance in her final film which earned her a well deserved Oscar nomination as Best Supporting Actress. The scene of her performing Climb Every Mountain, even though dubbed by Margery McKay, is absolutely outstanding. On TV she is best remembered as Marta Hansen, Mama, on the series "I Remember Mama" (1949-57). She also guested on such series as: "Philco Television Playhouse"; "Zane Grey Theater" and "The U.S. Steel Hour." She died of a cerebral hemorrhage on March 18, 1978 in Stamford, Connecticut at age 86.
From Great Character Actors, Page 5.
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