A Look Back at the Life and Tragic Death of Peggy Lipton, star of TV's 'Mod Squad' and 'Twin Peaks'

Photo byClassic TV Preservation Society

She was born Margaret Ann Lipton on August 30, 1946, in Manhattan, New York, and she died at only 72 years old on May 11, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. Her stage name was Peggy Lipton, and she was best known for roles on The Mod Squad and Twin Peaks.

A Closer Look

Peggy Lipton began her life in the spotlight with modeling at 15 and, four years later, she made TV appearances on shows like The John Forsythe Show, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, and Bewitched.

Lipton found fame with her portrayal of Julie Barnes, one of three undercover cops on TV's The Mod Squad, which originally aired on ABC from 1968 to 1973.

The trailblazing series addressed increasing social issues of the era, domestic violence, abortion, the Vietnam War, and the drug culture.

Lipton's performance earned her four Emmy and Golden Globe nominations respectively, winning the Golden Globe award in 1971 for best actress in a TV drama. In the 1990s, Lipton joined the cast of the offbeat gothic series, Twin Peaks.

In either case, the spotlight proved overwhelming for the actress. As she expressed to the Los Angeles Times in 1993, "Fame really drove me into my house. I was very paranoid. I didn't like going out. I had no idea how to be comfortable with the press. I was very young. It was really hard for me," Lipton said.

At the time, Lipton was cast in a new TV show called Angel Falls, which aired briefly in August and September of 1993.

Her Final Days

In 2004, Lipton, who was once married to music-producing legend Quincy Jones, was diagnosed with colon cancer. When she succumbed to the disease in 2019, her daughters Kidada and (and actress) Rashida Jones, made a joint statement to the press that said:

"She made her journey peacefully with her daughters and nieces by her side We feel so lucky for every moment we spent with her."

Conclusion

Peggy Lipton will be forever remembered for her indelible performances on television, and her talent, charitable heart, and gentle personality.