Gail Fisher facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gail Fisher
Fisher and Mark Stewart (Mannix, 1970)
Born	(1935-08-18)August 18, 1935 Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	December 2, 2000(2000-12-02) (aged 65) Culver City, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1959–1990
Spouse(s)	John Levy ​ ​ (m. 1964; div. 1972)​ Robert A. Walker (m. 1973; div. ?)
Children	2

Gail Fisher (born August 18, 1935 – died December 2, 2000) was an American actress. She was one of the first black women to have important roles on American television. She is best known for playing Peggy Fair, a secretary, on the TV detective show Mannix. This show ran from 1968 to 1975. For her role, she won two Golden Globe Awards and an Emmy Award. She was the first African-American woman to win these major awards. She also won an NAACP Image Award in 1969.

Early Life

Gail Fisher was the youngest of five children. She was born in Orange, New Jersey. Her father passed away when she was only two years old. Her mother, Ona Fisher, raised the family by running a hair-styling business from their home. They lived in Edison, New Jersey.

Gail went to Metuchen High School in Metuchen, New Jersey. When she was a teenager, she was a cheerleader. She also entered many beauty contests. She won titles like Miss Transit, Miss Black New Jersey, and Miss Press Photographer.

She won a special contest sponsored by Coca-Cola. This prize allowed her to study acting for two years. She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. While studying acting, she worked with famous teachers like Lee Strasberg. She also joined the Repertory Theater at Lincoln Center. There, she worked with well-known directors like Elia Kazan. Before becoming a full-time actress, she also worked as a model.

Acting Career

Gail Fisher first appeared on television in 1960. She was 25 years old. Her first show was The Play of the Week. In the early 1960s, she was in a TV commercial for All laundry detergent. She said this made her "the first black female—no, make that black, period—to make a national TV commercial, on camera, with lines." In 1965, she acted in a play called Danton's Death.

She joined the TV show Mannix in its second season. In the show, Mannix leaves a detective company to start his own private investigation business. Gail Fisher became the second African American woman to be a main character on weekly television. The first was Nichelle Nichols from Star Trek.

In 1968, she also made guest appearances on other TV shows. These included My Three Sons, Love, American Style, and Room 222. In 1970, her work on Mannix was recognized. She won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. She was the first African-American woman to win this award.

In 1971, Fisher made history again. She became the first African-American woman to win a Golden Globe Award. She won her second Golden Globe in 1973. After Mannix ended in 1975, she appeared on TV less often. She guest-starred on popular shows like Fantasy Island, Knight Rider, General Hospital, and The White Shadow.

Personal Life

Gail Fisher was married twice and had two daughters. Her daughters, Samara and Jole, were from her marriage to John Levy in 1964.

Death

Gail Fisher passed away in Los Angeles in 2000. She was 65 years old. Reports said she died from kidney failure. Sadly, her brother Clifton died from heart failure just twelve hours later.

Film and Television Roles

Film

Television

Awards and Achievements