Peggy Lipton

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.

Known For

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Psych

Wings

Twin Peaks

The Virginian

Bewitched

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

The F.B.I.

All Movies (30)

• Quincy Jones, Music Man2025 · as Self (archive footage)
• Quincy2018 · as Self
• A Dog's Purpose2017 · as Adult Hannah
• Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces2014 · as Norma Jennings
• When in Rome2010 · as Priscilla (Beth's Mom)
• ABC's 50th Anniversary Celebration2003 · as Self
• An Introduction to David Lynch2001 · as Self
• Postcards From The Cast2001 · as Self
• Quincy Jones: In the Pocket2001 · as Self
• Reflections on the Phenomenon of Twin Peaks2001 · as Self
• Jackpot2001 · as Janice
• Skipped Parts2000 · as Laurabel Pierce
• The '70s2000 · as Gloria Steinem
• Intern2000 · as Roxanne Rochet
• The Postman1997 · as Ellen March
• Justice for Annie1996 · as Carol Mills
• Deadly Vows1994 · as Nancy Weston
• Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me1992 · as Norma Jennings
• True Identity1991 · as Rita
• Fatal Charm1990 · as Jane Sims
• Twin Peaks1989 · as Norma Jennings
• Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects1989 · as Kathleen Crowe
• Purple People Eater1988 · as Mom
• I'm Gonna Git You Sucka1988 · as Minor Role (uncredited)
• War Party1988 · as TV Correspondent
• Addicted to His Love1988 · as Assistant DA
• I Love Quincy1984 · as Self
• The Return of Mod Squad1979 · as Julie Barnes
• Blue1968 · as Laurie Kramer
• Mosby's Marauders1967 · as Oralee Prentiss

All TV Shows (25)

• There's... Johnny!2017 · as Evelyn Greenfield
• Angie Tribeca2016 · as Peggy Tribeca
• House of Lies2012 · as Phoebe Van Der Hooven
• Crash2008 · as Susie
• Rules of Engagement2007 · as Fay
• Psych2006 · as Scarlett Jones
• Cuts2005
• Alias2001 · as Olivia Reed
• Popular1999 · as Kelly Foster
• Angel Falls1993 · as Hadley Larson
• Wings1990 · as Miss Laurie Jenkins
• Twin Peaks1990 · as Norma Jennings
• The Hitchhiker1983 · as Helen
• The Mod Squad1968 · as Julie Barnes
• The Invaders1967 · as Bride
• The F.B.I.1965 · as Girl in Museum
• The John Forsythe Show1965
• Bewitched1964 · as Secretary
• The Hollywood Palace1964 · as Self - Singer
• Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre1963
• Mr. Novak1963 · as Selma
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · as Self
• The Alfred Hitchcock Hour1962 · as Mary Winters
• The Virginian1962 · as Dulcie Colby
• The Wonderful World of Disney1954 · as Oralee Prentiss