The actress of “The Andy Griffith Show” was 81 – Deadline

Maggie Petersonthe actress who made a lasting impression as the sweet, sometimes flirty mountain girl Charlene Darling Andy Griffith Show In the 1960s, she died Sunday, May 15, in Colorado, her family announced.

The family posted on the site Facebook today. “She passed peacefully in her sleep with her family.”

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Although she has appeared in only five episodes of the classic country sitcom as Charlene, Peterson has been among the most popular and memorable recurring cast members, often joining her on-screen family The Darlings (played by a bluegrass group). Realistic Grace The Dillards, alongside actor Denver Bale as Patriarch Briscoe Darling) to sing the singles.

Peterson developed a famous phrase with her frequent pleas about the emotional impact of the outrageously titled song suggestions, as in the following exchange with Bale’s character:

Briscoe: “How ’bout’ not to hit your grandmother with a big stick”? “

Charlene: “No, Paw! That makes me cry!”

Other songs that made Charlene cry: “Slimy River Bottom”, “Boil that Cabbage Down” and “Keep your money in your shoes and you won’t get wet.”

In one episode, Peterson’s Charlene is betrothed, according to mountain tradition, to unwitting sheriff Andy Taylor (Griffith), while in a later episode Charlene’s infant daughter is betrothed to Andy’s young son Obie (Ron Howard).

With her appearance as Charlene from 1963 to 1966, Peterson became a de facto member of Griffith’s unofficial repertoire of actors, returning to the sitcom and its offshoots. Gomer Pyle: US Marines And Mayberry RFD. as other characters. She has also appeared in feature films Angel in my pocket (starring Griffith) and Do you love God? (championship Griffith Normal Don Knotts), both in 1969. She returned to the world of Mayberry in 1986, to reprise the role of Charlene in the TV movie Reunion Back to Mayberry.

Peterson, who sometimes used her married name Maggie Mancuso, appeared in Bill Dana Show – Like Griffithcross from Danny Thomas Show – love, american style, greenery And strange coupleFeature of 1969 Over the Hill Gang. I retired from acting after a role in 1987 Disney’s Magical Worldand later served on the Nevada Film Commission

Peterson, who lived in Las Vegas, recently suffered the loss of her husband of more than 40 years, jazz musician Jose Mancuso, who died in December. The family wrote: “Maggie’s health deteriorated after the death of her husband, Gus, and we are relieved that we were able to move her home to be close to her family in her final days.”

A native of Colorado, Peterson began her show business career in the 1950s as a singer, performing with a family vocal group called Ja-Da Quartet. The group was noticed at a record conference by Griffith director Dick Link. Peterson’s vocal skills were later used on Griffith Show, when Darlene joins the family’s singles, most notably her performance of the bluegrass standard “Salty Dog.”

Peterson has often participated in Mayberry fan club events, and her family wrote to fans today, “Even though you are in Las Vegas and away from her family, your love and dedication helped her not to feel lonely. She mentioned to us so often how unbelievable you were all so generous. You have really made a positive impact on her life and helped her through some very difficult times…We hope that during this difficult time you will find solace in knowing how important you are to making Maggie’s end of life that much better.”