Peggy Lipton

Peggy Lipton

1946-08-30 – 2019-05-11 (age 72) New York City, New York, USA
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Biography

Peggy Lipton (born Margaret Ann Lipton; August 30, 1946 – May 11, 2019) was an American actress and model who rose to fame in the late 1960s. She is best known for two major television roles: Julie Barnes on The Mod Squad (1968-1973) and Norma Jennings on Twin Peaks (1990-1991, 2017).

She began modeling at age 15 and signed with Ford Agency. Her early struggles with stuttering led her to become introverted, though she found that acting helped her overcome this challenge.

Her breakthrough came with The Mod Squad, where she played Julie Barnes, one of three hippie undercover cops. The show was groundbreaking for its time, addressing contemporary social issues and featuring an interracial cast. Her performance earned her four Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe Award.

In 1974, she married music producer Quincy Jones, making them one of the most prominent interracial couples in the entertainment industry at that time. They had two daughters: Kidada Jones (born 1974) and Rashida Jones (born 1976). After marrying Jones, Lipton largely stepped away from acting to focus on her family. They divorced in 1989.

She returned to acting, performing in many TV roles, including Norma Jennings in David Lynch's Twin Peaks.

She passed away in 2019 at age 72 from colon cancer. Her memoir "Breathing Out" (2005) detailed her life experiences, including her battles with anxiety and her journey in the entertainment industry.

She is remembered as a cultural icon of the 1960s and early 1970s, particularly for her role in The Mod Squad, which helped break down racial barriers on television.

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Known For

A Dog's Purpose
A Dog's Purpose

2017

as Adult Hannah

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me

1992

as Norma Jennings

The Postman
The Postman

1997

as Ellen March

When in Rome
When in Rome

2010

as Priscilla (Beth's Mom)

Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks

1989

as Norma Jennings

I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka

1988

as Minor Role (uncredited)

Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces
Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces

2014

as Norma Jennings

The '70s
The '70s

2000

as Gloria Steinem

Skipped Parts
Skipped Parts

2000

as Laurabel Pierce

Fatal Charm
Fatal Charm

1990

as Jane Sims

Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects
Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects

1989

as Kathleen Crowe

Quincy
Quincy

2018

as Self

True Identity
True Identity

1991

as Rita

Blue
Blue

1968

as Laurie Kramer

Deadly Vows
Deadly Vows

1994

as Nancy Weston

Intern
Intern

2000

as Roxanne Rochet

War Party
War Party

1988

as TV Correspondent

Quincy Jones, Music Man
Quincy Jones, Music Man

2025

as Self (archive footage)

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