Margaret Kerry, original inspiration for Disney’s Tinker Bell, dies at 97
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Margaret Kerry, the actress, dancer and beloved entertainer whose movements inspired Disney’s iconic Tinker Bell in the 1953 animated classic Peter Pan, has died. She was 97.
According to her family, Kerry passed peacefully on June 11, 2026, in Wilmington after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Her three children–Ellen, Christina and Eric — were by her side.
Known to generations of Disney fans as the real-life model for Tinker Bell, Kerry enjoyed a remarkable career that spanned film, television, radio and public speaking. She began performing as a child actor and went on to appear in productions including The Little Rascals, The Andy Griffith Show, The Three Stooges, and The Ruggles. Her most enduring legacy came when Walt Disney Studios selected her to serve as the live-action reference model for Tinker Bell, helping animators bring the beloved fairy to life through her movements and expressions. She also provided reference and voice work for the red-haired mermaid in Peter Pan.
In recent years, Kerry became a familiar face in Wilmington after relocating to the area and remained active well into her 90s, attending conventions, speaking engagements and community events
Her family noted that Kerry was deeply grateful for the extraordinary life she lived and the countless friends and fans she met throughout her journey.
“Margaret wanted everyone to know that she was at peace and ready for this next journey in her life, secure in the knowledge that God was eager to bring her home, with Him, into heaven,” the family said in a statement.
Her passing comes just weeks after the death of her husband, Robert Boeke, who died on May 24, 2026. The pair first met as sweethearts more than 70 years ago before life took them in different directions. They reunited in 2019, rekindled their romance and spent six years together as husband and wife.
“It is like a fairy tale to know that they passed so very close in time to one another — perhaps a testament to the love they shared,” the family wrote.
In lieu of flowers, Kerry’s family is asking friends and fans to make donations in her memory to Wilmington’s Thalian Association Community Theatre.
WWAY had the opportunity to speak with Kerry about her life and career in a previous interview, where she reflected on becoming one of Disney’s most recognizable characters and the joy she found in meeting generations of fans.
The family closed its announcement with a fitting tribute to the woman who became synonymous with Disney’s most famous fairy:
“And remember, on any given night, look up into the night sky and search for that second star to the right. Upon closer look, you might just notice that star shining a little brighter in Margaret’s honor.”
