Kerry’s family shared the news in a Facebook post, revealing that she died on June 11 in North Carolina after battling lung cancer, with her children and loved ones by her side.
A Lasting Connection to Disney History
Although Kerry built a career across multiple areas of entertainment, she remained most closely associated with Disney’s 1953 animated classic “Peter Pan.” During production, animators used her pantomime performances as a visual guide for Tinker Bell, whose expressive personality relied entirely on movement rather than dialogue. Kerry spent months performing scenes on a soundstage, helping artists translate human gestures into one of the studio’s most recognizable animated figures.
Her contribution extended beyond the fairy herself. Kerry also provided reference performances and vocal work for the red-haired mermaid featured in the film’s Neverland lagoon sequence. Over the decades, she became a beloved figure among Disney fans, frequently attending conventions and sharing stories from the production of the animated classic.
Long before “Peter Pan”, Kerry entered show-business as a child performer under her birth name, Peggy Lynch. She appeared in films during the 1930s and later worked as a camera double for Elizabeth Taylor on “National Velvet.” Her screen career expanded through film and television roles, including appearances on “The Lone Ranger” and “The Andy Griffith Show.”
Kerry also established herself as a prolific voice performer. She contributed dozens of character voices to children’s programming and animation, including work on “Clutch Cargo,” “Space Angel,” and “The New Three Stooges.” Beyond acting, she spent years in radio broadcasting, community outreach, public speaking, and animation advocacy, serving on the board of ASIFA Hollywood and remaining active in the entertainment community well into her later years.
In recent years, Kerry continued celebrating her Disney legacy. Her autobiography, “Tinker Bell Talks: Tales of a Pixie Dusted Life,” offered a personal look back at her decades in entertainment, while several honors recognized her role in animation history. In 2023, her original Tinker Bell ballet slippers were displayed at the Walt Disney Family Museum as part of celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of Disney.
Her family’s announcement paid tribute to that connection, encouraging admirers to look toward the “Second Star to the Right” and remember the woman who helped bring a timeless character to life.
