Actress Margaret Carrey, who became the prototype of the Tinker Bell fairy, died at the age of 97.

American actress and radio host Margaret Carrey, who served as the prototype for the fairy Tinker Bell in the classic Walt Disney animated film Peter Pan, has died at the age of 97. Her death was announced on June 12 by close relatives on the actress' Facebook page (owned by Meta, which is recognized as extremist and banned in Russia).

"It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Margaret Kerry (Boke), our beloved Tinker Bell. Margaret passed away peacefully in the arms of Jesus on June 11, 2026 in Wilmington, North Carolina," the publication says.

It is clarified that the cause of Kerry's death was lung cancer, and her children were with the actress at the time of her departure.

From 1949 to 1952, Kerry played the role of Sharon Ruggles' daughter in the family television series The Ruggles, one of the first programs filmed in Hollywood rather than New York. As a voice actress, she participated in the creation of such projects as "Clutch Cargo" (1959), "Space Angel" (1962-1964) and "Captain Fatom" (1965).

Her worldwide fame was brought by her participation in the work on the Disney animated film "Peter Pan": Kerry became not only the prototype of the fairy Tinker Bell, but also posed for the image of a red-haired mermaid.