Peggy Lipton
Known For
Acting
Born
1946-08-30 in New York City, New York, USA
Died
2019-05-11
Biography
Peggy Lipton (August 30, 1946 – May 11, 2019) was an American actress and model who rose to fame in the late 1960s. She is best known for two major television roles: Julie Barnes on "The Mod Squad" (1968-1973) and Norma Jennings on "Twin Peaks" (1990-1991, 2017). Born Margaret Ann Lipton in New York City, she grew up in a middle-class Jewish family on Long Island. She began modeling at age 15 and signed with Ford Agency. Her early struggles with stuttering led her to become introverted, though she found that acting helped her overcome this challenge. Her breakthrough came with "The Mod Squad," where she played Julie Barnes, one of three hippie undercover cops. The show was groundbreaking for its time, addressing contemporary social issues and featuring an interracial cast. Her performance earned her four Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe Award. In 1974, Lipton married music producer Quincy Jones, making them one of the most prominent interracial couples in the entertainment industry at that time. They had two daughters: Kidada Jones (born 1974) and Rashida Jones (born 1976). After marrying Jones, Lipton largely stepped away from acting to focus on her family. They divorced in 1989. She returned to acting, performing in many TV roles, including Norma Jennings in David Lynch's Twin Peaks. She passed away in 2019 at age 72 from colon cancer. Her memoir "Breathing Out" (2005) detailed her life experiences, including her battles with anxiety and her journey in the entertainment industry. Lipton is remembered as a cultural icon of the 1960s and early 1970s, particularly for her role in "The Mod Squad," which helped break down racial barriers on television.
Most Known For
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self
Twin Peaks
as Norma Jennings
Psych
as Scarlett Jones
Bewitched
as Secretary
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
as Mary Winters
The Virginian
as Dulcie Colby
Wings
as Miss Laurie Jenkins
Angie Tribeca
as Peggy Tribeca
The Invaders
as Bride
The F.B.I.
as Girl in Museum
The Hitchhiker
as Helen
Rules of Engagement
as Fay
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
House of Lies
as Phoebe Van Der Hooven
The Mod Squad
as Julie Barnes
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
as Norma Jennings
Popular
as Kelly Foster
Alias
as Olivia Reed
Mr. Novak
as Selma
A Dog's Purpose
as Adult Hannah