Peggy Shannon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Peggy Shannon
Portrait of Shannon by John de Mirjian
Born	Winona Sammon (1907-01-10)January 10, 1907 Pine Bluff, Arkansas, U.S.
Died	May 11, 1941(1941-05-11) (aged 34) North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place	Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Years active	1923–1940
Spouse(s)	Alan Davis ​ ​ (m. 1926; div. 1940)​ Albert G. Roberts ​ (m. 1940)​

Peggy Shannon (born Winona Sammon; January 10, 1907 – May 11, 1941) was an American actress. She performed on stage and in movies during the 1920s and 1930s.

Peggy started her career as a Ziegfeld girl in 1923. This was a type of chorus girl in the famous Ziegfeld Follies shows. Later, she moved on to act in Broadway plays. She signed with Paramount Pictures and was seen as the next big star, like Clara Bow, who was known as the "It girl". Peggy even took Clara Bow's place in the 1931 film, The Secret Call. Her last movie was Triple Justice in 1940.

Peggy Shannon's Acting Career

Shannon in the 1930s

Peggy Shannon was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, in 1907. Her parents were Edward and Nannie Sammon, and she had a younger sister named Carol. Peggy went to Annunciation Academy Catholic School and Pine Bluff High School.

In 1923, while visiting her aunt in New York, she was hired by Florenz Ziegfeld as a chorus girl. The next year, she appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies. She also had a role in Earl Carroll's Vanities.

Becoming a Hollywood Star

In 1927, while performing on Broadway, Peggy was noticed by B.P. Schulberg. He was in charge of production at Paramount Pictures. He offered her a movie contract. When she arrived in Hollywood, people called her the next "It girl." She was set to replace Clara Bow.

Before filming The Secret Call, Clara Bow had to stop working due to health reasons. Peggy was hired to replace her just two days after arriving in Hollywood.

Working in Movies

Peggy sometimes worked very long hours, up to 16 hours a day, when shooting a film. After one movie finished, she would quickly start another. Sometimes, she even worked on two different films in one day!

Through her movies and publicity, Peggy became known as a fashion trendsetter. She wore styles that would become popular months later. In 1932, she signed a new contract with Fox.

Returning to Broadway

In 1934, Peggy returned to New York City to star in the Broadway show, Page Miss Glory. She continued on Broadway in 1935 with The Light Behind the Shadow. However, she was soon replaced in that show. The official reason given was a tooth infection.

In 1936, she went back to Hollywood and appeared in Youth on Parole. Over time, she received fewer movie roles. Her last film appearance was in the 1940 movie Triple Justice, where she acted alongside George O'Brien.

Peggy Shannon's Personal Life

In 1926, Peggy Shannon married her first husband, actor Alan Davis. Their marriage ended in July 1940. Later that year, she married her second husband, Albert G. Roberts, who was a cameraman.

Peggy Shannon's Passing

On May 11, 1941, Peggy Shannon's husband, Albert Roberts, and a friend returned from a fishing trip. They found Peggy had passed away in their North Hollywood apartment. She was found leaning over the kitchen table.

An examination showed that she had died from a heart attack. She was buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Broadway Performances

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Peggy Shannon para niños