Peggy Hopkins Joyce
Encyclopedia
Peggy Hopkins Joyce was an American actress and celebrity, famed as much for her several marriages to wealthy men, colorful divorces, scandalous affairs, her diamonds and generally lavish lifestyle as for her work on stage or screen.
, she was known as "Peggy", a traditional nickname for Margaret or Marguerite. "Hopkins" and "Joyce" were the surnames of her second and third husbands, respectively (of six overall).
She debuted on the Broadway stage
in 1917 in the Ziegfeld Follies
. In 1923 she caused a sensation in the annual Earl Carroll's Vanities. In 1933, she played herself in the film,
International House, which contained some good-natured joshing about her love life.
Her life had its tragedies. Guillermo Errázuriz, brother of the equally scandalous Blanca Errázuriz
, killed himself in Paris
in 1922, despondent over her.
She owned the Portuguese Diamond, one of the most expensive in the world, that she sold to Harry Winston
and which is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution
in Washington, D.C.
Recounting a meeting with Joyce that occurred in the late 1920s, Harpo Marx
reported that she was illiterate. Nonetheless, she contributed a column for several years in the early 1930s to the spicy New York publication Varieties (not to be confused with the show business trade publication Variety
). The column gave racy news about high jinks and goings-on in both New York and London.
Peggy Hopkins Joyce died in New York City
in 1957, aged 64.
Brief Biography
Born Marguerite Upton in Berkley, VirginiaBerkley, Virginia
Berkley was an incorporated town in Norfolk County, Virginia. Chartered by an Act of Assembly in 1890, the Town of Berkley was located directly across the eastern branch of the Elizabeth River from the City of Norfolk in the South Hampton Roads area....
, she was known as "Peggy", a traditional nickname for Margaret or Marguerite. "Hopkins" and "Joyce" were the surnames of her second and third husbands, respectively (of six overall).
She debuted on the Broadway stage
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
in 1917 in the Ziegfeld Follies
Ziegfeld Follies
The Ziegfeld Follies were a series of elaborate theatrical productions on Broadway in New York City from 1907 through 1931. They became a radio program in 1932 and 1936 as The Ziegfeld Follies of the Air....
. In 1923 she caused a sensation in the annual Earl Carroll's Vanities. In 1933, she played herself in the film,
International House, which contained some good-natured joshing about her love life.
Her life had its tragedies. Guillermo Errázuriz, brother of the equally scandalous Blanca Errázuriz
Blanca Errázuriz
Blanca Elena Errázuriz Vergara , also known as Bianca de Saulles was accused and later acquitted of killing her first husband, John de Saulles.-Early life and marriage:...
, killed himself in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in 1922, despondent over her.
She owned the Portuguese Diamond, one of the most expensive in the world, that she sold to Harry Winston
Harry Winston
Harry Winston was an American jeweler. He donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution in 1958 after owning it for a decade, and traded the Portuguese Diamond to the Smithsonian in 1963.-History:...
and which is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Recounting a meeting with Joyce that occurred in the late 1920s, Harpo Marx
Harpo Marx
Adolph "Harpo" Marx was an American comedian and film star. He was the second oldest of the Marx Brothers. His comic style was influenced by clown and pantomime traditions. He wore a curly reddish wig, and never spoke during performances...
reported that she was illiterate. Nonetheless, she contributed a column for several years in the early 1930s to the spicy New York publication Varieties (not to be confused with the show business trade publication Variety
Variety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
). The column gave racy news about high jinks and goings-on in both New York and London.
Peggy Hopkins Joyce died in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1957, aged 64.