Remembering Margaret Kerry: Disney’s Original Tinker Bell Has Passed Away at 97 Years Old. The Disney community lost a true legend today with the passing of Margaret Kerry at the age of 97. Best known as the actress and dancer whose movements inspired Disney’s iconic Tinker Bell in the 1953 animated classic Peter Pan, Kerry passed away on June 11, 2026, after a battle with lung cancer.
For generations of Disney fans, Margaret Kerry was more than just the woman behind Tinker Bell. Her grace, personality, and expressive performances helped animators bring one of Disney’s most beloved characters to life. Beyond her work with Disney, Kerry enjoyed a long and successful career in film, television, voice acting, radio, and public speaking. She appeared in productions including The Andy Griffith Show, The Lone Ranger, and numerous animated series, while also sharing her incredible Hollywood stories with fans around the world.
In 2021, Margaret Kerry was one of the guests at our inaugural House of Mouse Expo, and she will always hold a special place in our hearts. It was truly an honor to have her attend, and she was such a wonderful person to spend time with. I’ll always remember the stories she shared about working with Disney and helping bring Tinker Bell to life alongside Marc Davis.
The day after the Expo ended, Michele and I had the opportunity to spend some quality time with Margaret while we waited with her for her ride to arrive. During that time, she shared even more stories about creating Tinker Bell and told us how much she loved the Expo. She encouraged us to keep pushing forward, words that have stayed with me ever since.
Whether she was meeting fans, signing autographs, or sharing memories from her incredible career, Margaret had a way of making everyone she met feel special. Her enthusiasm for Disney and her genuine love for the fans were evident in every interaction, and she left a lasting impression on all of us who had the privilege of knowing her.
Margaret’s legacy will continue to live on through the magic she helped create. Every time audiences watch Tinker Bell sprinkle pixie dust across the screen, they are seeing a little piece of Margaret Kerry’s talent and spirit. She brought joy to countless Disney fans throughout her remarkable life, and her contributions to Disney history will never be forgotten.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Margaret’s family, friends, and fans around the world during this difficult time. Thank you, Margaret, for the memories, the magic, and the pixie dust. You will be deeply missed, but your star will continue to shine brightly for generations to come.
You may also enjoy this article we put out in 2014 about Margaret and creating Tinker Bell: Tinker Bell’s Live-Action Origins
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