Highlights of Maggie Peterson Acting Career
“Paw, can't I just look at the pretty man?"
Aside from the The Andy Griffith Show, she appeared on other TV shows
such as Love American Style, Green Acres, Gomer Pyle USMC, and The
Odd Couple. She also appeared in the 1986 movie Return to Mayberry.
Peterson starred as the innocent Rose Ellen in the 1969 film The Love
God?, starring next to Don Knotts and she was in the 1968 film Angel in
My Pocket. Peterson also landed a role as Susie, the coffee shop watress on
The Bill Dana Show, another spin-off from The Danny Thomas Show,
which aired from September 1963 to January 1965.
Being able to meet and talk with the actors from the show has been a
privilege for me as the publisher of this magazine. As I talked to Maggie,
it was very clear she appreciated her humble beginnings. Maggie is in
tune with her fans, she plans to return to Mt. Airy soon. In her own words,
she feels very blessed to be part of a show with such high values. The
Andy Griffith Show has left a legacy that parents consider wholesome
entertainment, a show they can share with their children. Thank you
Maggie for coming to town, and thank you for the laughter and sparks
you have brought into homes across the world.
In 1954, at a Capitol Records convention, Dick Linke (manager of Andy
Griffith and Jim Nabors) heard Maggie singing and was so impressed with
her, he encouraged her to come to New York, so in 1958 after graduating
high school, Maggie and the group did just that. They landed a number of
stints on the Perry Como Show and the Pat Boone Show, then in 1959 they
released their album "It's the Most Happy Sound." Soon after, the band
broke up and went back home.
A short time later, Maggie joined another group, The Ernie Mariani Trio
(later renamed Margaret Ann and the Ernie Mariani Trio). The group
traveled for several years and had stints in resort areas such as Las Vegas,
Lake Tahoe and Reno, where Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack were often
seen in the audience while Maggie performed. It was while she was on tour
that Maggie was discovered by The Andy Griffith Show director Bob
Sweeny and producer Aaron Ruben.
Thelma Lou and &
For The Andy Griffith Show, Peterson initially read for the role of love
interest for Sheriff Andy Taylor, but the role went to Elinor Donahue (Ellie
Walker). Soon after, she was selected to play the role of Charlene Darling.
Charlene Darling, the only daughter of Brisco Darling, had a crush on
Sheriff Taylor ("Paw, can't I just look at the pretty man?").
In 1968, while she was singing as an opening act for Andy Griffith at a
casino in Lake Tahoe, Peterson met jazz musician Gus Mancuso, who was
playing bass in a lounge act. The two married and have been together ever
since. The couple spent a number of years in Los Angeles, where Peterson
worked doing commercials, until they decided to settle in Las Vegas,
where Maggie now works as a location scout for film and television.
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thills
eye care
Rendering by Thad Cox
The Darlings, including Brisco's four boys (played by The Dillards
bluegrass band) lived in the mountains and came to town on many
occasions. When in town, they enjoyed playing music with Andy. One of
Charlene's favorite songs is "Salty Dog", but that one always makes her
cry. Ernest T. Bass had his eyes on Charlene and tried unsuccessfully to
steal her away on her wedding day to Dud Wash. Dud married Charlene,
while Ernest T ended up with Barney Fife. Charlene and Dud had a
daughter together, Andilina. They tried to betroth Andilina to Opie, as it
was customary in their family. Brisco called off the engagement of Opie
and Andilina when he discovered there was witchery in the Taylor family.
Some 20 years later, not knowing what became of Dud Wash, Ernest T was
finally bethrothed to Charlene.
Dr. Kevin Walker • Candice Fix
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