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Peggy Pope Passes Away at 91

Peggy Pope Passes Away at 91
9 to 5 (1980)

Peggy Pope as Margaret

The iconic actress passed away in Colorado on May 27th.

If you remember the hit movie 9 to 5, then you probably remember Margaret, the old lush secretary. Margaret (along with an arrangement of characters) brightened up people's days through the many forms of entertainment we hold close. Margaret, of course, was played by Peggy Pope. We are sad to report that Pope passed away on May 27th in Fort Collins, Colorado. She was 91 years old.


Pope won an Obie Award in 1968 for her role as a sex worker in Muzika by John Guare. She also starred in a remake of The Rose Tattoo with Rose Stapleton, The School of Wives with Brian Bedford, and Doctor Jazz with Lola Falana. However, Peggy was best known for her work in the film 9 to 5. Using the catch phrase "Atta girl" to encourage her co-workers, the roles played by Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin, and Jane Fonda. Pope also appeared on the ABC series adaptation of the movie. In 2011, Peggy published her autobiography, "Atta Girl: Tales From a Life in the Trenches of Show Business."

Pope also appeared on such popular TV series as Rhoda, Barnaby Jones, Mork & Mindy,Eight Is Enough, Barney Miller, Hill Street Blues, Knots Landing. St. Elsewhere, Night Court, Too Close for Comfort, The Golden Girls, ER and multiple Law & Order series. She also had a reoccurring role on the hit show Soap.

Peggy Speaks on Her Role in "9 to 5" in Autobiography

Peggy Pope's Famous Catch Phrase from 9 to 5

Image by MikeyMo on gyphycat

When discussing 9 to 5 in her biography, Pope speaks on her character and the journey she went on, saying:

"It was a good movie and a good part. At the end, my character comes back from rehab, hair combed, looking spiffy and ready for the sequel. Underdogs climbing to the top is a fine formula, and it's always good to be in at the end of a film so people remember you were in it."

Fans React To Pope's Passing


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Dylan Porterfield