Margaret Eileen "Peggy" Bryan (3 January 1916 – 12 January 1996) was an English film and stage actress, born in Birmingham, England. She appeared in many films, including most notably as the screen wife of George Formby in the comedy film Turned Out Nice Again (1941). She married cinematographer Wilkie Cooper with whom she had three sons.
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Peggy Bryan attended Windermere College with her first employment position as an elocution teacher at Highclare College located in Sutton Coldfield. Although nobody from her family had a show business background, she gained considerable amateur stage experience and eventually decided to attempt a career in acting. She applied to the London Academy of Music and Drama and succeeded in being awarded a six month scholarship.
Bryan gained her first professional acting role on December 16, 1937 as the character of 'Puck' in a scene from William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Royal performance in aid of King George's Actors Pension Fund.
In 1938, she performed at Regent's Park, London, repeating the role of 'Puck' and also playing 'Ariel' in The Tempest. West End roles soon followed in April Clouds and Glorious Morning she succeeded Jessica Tandy. In 1939 she appeared in three more shows, The Springtime of Others, Q, and The Fanatics. 1940 saw her appearing in five Shakespearean plays at Stratford on Avon.
Bryan suffered from ill health in the final 20 years of her life. She died in West Sussex on January 12, 1996, aged 80.[1]