Peggy Converse

LOS ANGELES--Peggy Converse, a character actress whose long career in show business included films, television and dozens of stage roles, died March 2, 2001, at her home here. She was 95. MSTies will remember her as the greedy matron Flavia McIntyre in episode 805- THE THING THAT COULDN'T DIE. She also had a small role as Mrs. Obringer (the mother of one of HelenâÄôs piano students) in episode 702- THE BRUTE MAN.

Born on Oregon City, OR, Converse first appeared onstage at age 3, playing Baby New Year and continued to perform in school plays. Her family moved to Los Angeles when she was 16 and Converse officially began her acting career soon after, appearing as multiple characters in the "Pilgrimage Play." A 1927 graduate of Stanford University, she was a sought-after actress in the 1920s and 30s, appearing in Broadway productions including "Infernal Machine," with Lloyd Bridges. She moved on to summer stock appearing in plays including "Othello," "Wuthering Heights," "The Importance of Being Earnest" and "The Corn Is Green." She and her husband, actor Don Porter, appeared together in the national touring companies of "Any Wednesday," "The Best Man" and "Love and Kisses." Her film career included roles in everything from "Father Is a Bachelor" (1950) with William Holden and "Miss Sadie Thompson" (1953) with Rita Hayworth, to "The Accidental Tourist" (1988) with Geena Davis.

Active in television from its infancy, Converse appeared in episodes of "Perry Mason" and on soap operas like "The Young and the Restless," "General Hospital" and "Days of Our Lives."