Peggy Cummins
Peggy Cummins was born on December 18, 1925, in Prestatyn, Denbighshire, Wales. She began her acting career at a young age, making her stage debut at the age of 11 in the play "Drake's Drum." Her talent was soon recognized, and she appeared in several stage productions throughout her teenage years.
Cummins made her film debut in the British drama "Old Mother Riley at Home" in 1945. She continued to act in British films, gaining recognition for her performances in movies such as "Green for Danger" (1946) and "Curse of the Demon" (1957). However, it was her role in the film noir "Gun Crazy" (1950) that brought her international acclaim and solidified her reputation as a talented actress in the genre.
After "Gun Crazy," Cummins appeared in a variety of films, including westerns, crime dramas, and comedies. However, she never quite achieved the same level of success as she did with her role as Annie Laurie Starr. She also made appearances on television, including guest roles in popular shows like "The Twilight Zone" and "Thriller."
In the 1960s, Cummins transitioned to predominantly working in theater and television in both the United States and the United Kingdom. She continued to act in various stage productions, including the West End production of "The Seven Year Itch." Her television credits include appearances in shows such as "The Persuaders!" and "Danger Man" (known as "Secret Agent" in the United States).
Peggy Cummins' acting career spanned several decades, and she made occasional appearances in films and television well into the 1980s. After her retirement from acting, she lived a private life and remained out of the public eye.
Peggy Cummins passed away on December 29, 2017, at the age of 92, leaving behind a legacy as a talented actress who made a significant contribution to the film noir genre with her memorable role in "Gun Crazy."
Cummins made her film debut in the British drama "Old Mother Riley at Home" in 1945. She continued to act in British films, gaining recognition for her performances in movies such as "Green for Danger" (1946) and "Curse of the Demon" (1957). However, it was her role in the film noir "Gun Crazy" (1950) that brought her international acclaim and solidified her reputation as a talented actress in the genre.
After "Gun Crazy," Cummins appeared in a variety of films, including westerns, crime dramas, and comedies. However, she never quite achieved the same level of success as she did with her role as Annie Laurie Starr. She also made appearances on television, including guest roles in popular shows like "The Twilight Zone" and "Thriller."
In the 1960s, Cummins transitioned to predominantly working in theater and television in both the United States and the United Kingdom. She continued to act in various stage productions, including the West End production of "The Seven Year Itch." Her television credits include appearances in shows such as "The Persuaders!" and "Danger Man" (known as "Secret Agent" in the United States).
Peggy Cummins' acting career spanned several decades, and she made occasional appearances in films and television well into the 1980s. After her retirement from acting, she lived a private life and remained out of the public eye.
Peggy Cummins passed away on December 29, 2017, at the age of 92, leaving behind a legacy as a talented actress who made a significant contribution to the film noir genre with her memorable role in "Gun Crazy."
Quotes:
[on being fired from Forever Amber (1947)] "Say it was my lack of experience, say it was the color of my eyes, say it was a lot of little things, but please don't say I don't have enough sex."
- Peggy Cummins
Trivia:
She went to the US for the role of Amber in Forever Amber (1947), but production was suspended after a month for work on the script, during which time it was decided that she wasn't well known enough to play the lead. She was replaced by Linda Darnell.
After Peggy was fired from Forever Amber (1947) and replaced by Linda Darnell, costume designer René Hubert had to re-do the designs originally intended to fit Peggy, which cost $65,000, to fit Darnell. An additional $25,000 was spent on those re-designs.
Practiced on a shooting range for her career-defining role as Annie Starr in Gun Crazy (1950).
Her two best known films are known by alternate titles: Gun Crazy (1950) (originally "Deadly Is the Female") and Curse of the Demon (1957) (aka "Curse of the Demon").
After Peggy was fired from Forever Amber (1947) and replaced by Linda Darnell, costume designer René Hubert had to re-do the designs originally intended to fit Peggy, which cost $65,000, to fit Darnell. An additional $25,000 was spent on those re-designs.
Practiced on a shooting range for her career-defining role as Annie Starr in Gun Crazy (1950).
Her two best known films are known by alternate titles: Gun Crazy (1950) (originally "Deadly Is the Female") and Curse of the Demon (1957) (aka "Curse of the Demon").
