Peggy Lipton
Acting • Born 1946-08-30 – Died 2019-05-11
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.
Filmography
55 credits
The Postman
Movie • 1997
Ellen March
When in Rome
Movie • 2010
Priscilla (Beth's Mom)
Skipped Parts
Movie • 2000
Laurabel Pierce
Quincy Jones: In the Pocket
Movie • 2001
Self
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
Movie • 1988
Minor Role (uncredited)
Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces
Movie • 2014
Norma Jennings
Mosby's Marauders
Movie • 1967
Oralee Prentiss
True Identity
Movie • 1991
Rita
Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects
Movie • 1989
Kathleen Crowe
Intern
Movie • 2000
Roxanne Rochet
An Introduction to David Lynch
Movie • 2001
Self
Reflections on the Phenomenon of Twin Peaks
Movie • 2001
Self
I Love Quincy
Movie • 1984
Self
Postcards From The Cast
Movie • 2001
Self
Justice for Annie
Movie • 1996
Carol Mills
Purple People Eater
Movie • 1988
Mom
Fatal Charm
Movie • 1990
Jane Sims
A Dog's Purpose
Movie • 2017
Adult Hannah
Twin Peaks
Movie • 1989
Norma Jennings
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
Movie • 1992
Norma Jennings
Blue
Movie • 1968
Laurie Kramer
War Party
Movie • 1988
TV Correspondent
Jackpot
Movie • 2001
Janice
The Return of Mod Squad
Movie • 1979
Julie Barnes
Deadly Vows
Movie • 1994
Nancy Weston
Quincy
Movie • 2018
Self
Addicted to His Love
Movie • 1988
Assistant DA
The 70s
Movie • 2000
Gloria Steinem
Quincy Jones | Music Man
Movie • 2025
Self (archive footage)
ABC's 50th Anniversary Celebration
Movie • 2003
Self
Cuts
TV • 2005
The F.B.I.
TV • 1965
Girl in Museum
Alias
TV • 2001
Olivia Reed
Twin Peaks
TV • 1990
Norma Jennings
Wings
TV • 1990
Miss Laurie Jenkins
The Mod Squad
TV • 1968
Julie Barnes
Popular
TV • 1999
Kelly Foster
Bewitched
TV • 1964
Secretary
The Hollywood Palace
TV • 1964
Self - Singer
The Virginian
TV • 1962
Dulcie Colby
The Hitchhiker
TV • 1983
Helen
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
TV • 1963
Mr. Novak
TV • 1963
Selma
The John Forsythe Show
TV • 1965
Angel Falls
TV • 1993
Hadley Larson
The Wonderful World of Disney
TV • 1954
Oralee Prentiss
Angie Tribeca
TV • 2016
Peggy Tribeca
House of Lies
TV • 2012
Phoebe Van Der Hooven
Psych
TV • 2006
Scarlett Jones
The Invaders
TV • 1967
Bride
Rules of Engagement
TV • 2007
Fay
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
TV • 1962
Mary Winters
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV • 1962
Self
Crash
TV • 2008
Susie
There's... Johnny!
TV • 2017
Evelyn Greenfield