Margaret O'Rene "Peggy" Ryan

 Margaret O'Rene "Peggy" Ryan (August 28, 1924 – October 30, 2004)

She was best known for starring in a series of movie musicals at Universal Pictures with Donald O'Connor and Gloria Jean. Her singing, acting, and dancing skills were noticed by song-and-dance actor George Murphy, who helped her get a role in 1937's Top of the Town. She continued working in small roles until 1942, when she had a solo number in the feature film What's Cookin'?. The Gloria Jean-Donald O'Connor-Peggy Ryan team were a great hit with audiences and exhibitors, and the three teens made five features together. Her screen character in these films was usually brash, wisecracking, and boy-crazy. In 1944, Ryan advanced to more elaborate productions, in support of Jack Oakie and Abbott and Costello. On television, Ryan played a recurring role as secretary Jenny Sherman in Hawaii Five-O from 1969–76. In later years, she trained Las Vegas showgirls in tap dancing. Her last public performance, at her 80th birthday party, was a hilarious song-and-dance routine for her former Universal studio colleagues. She continued to teach tap until two days before her death. Ryan was married three times, and had two children. Ryan died at the age of 80 in October 2004 after suffering two strokes. Her ashes were scattered under the Hollywood sign in Hollywood, California.