Lee, Peggy (1920–2002)

American jazz stylist, songwriter, and actress. Born Norma Deloris Egstrom in Jamestown, ND, May 26, 1920; died Jan 21, 2002, in Bel Air, CA; m. David Barbour (guitarist), 1943 (div. 1952); m. Brad Dexter (actor), 1955 (div.); m. Dewey Martin (actor), 1956 (div. 1959); children: (1st m.) daughter, Nicki Lee Foster.

Defined by Down Beat as the "greatest white female jazz singer since Mildred Bailey," began singing on local radio stations in high school, then in nightclubs in Chicago and California; hired to sing with Benny Goodman's band (1941), and became nationally known after appearances on network radio, in several musical films, and a string of bestselling records, including "Let's Call It a Day," "Why Don't You Do Right," "Fever," "Alright, Okay, You Win," "Hallelujah, I Love Him So," "The Best Is Yet to Come," and "Is That All There Is?"; began writing songs in collaboration with 1st husband, such as "Mañana," "Golden Earrings," "It's A Good Day," "I Don't Know Enough About You"; also wrote partial scores for motion pictures, including Johnny Guitar, About Mrs. Leslie, Sharkey's Machine, The Time Machine, and The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming; also wrote "We Are Siamese" and "He's a Tramp" (music and lyrics for movie Lady and the Tramp); continued an active nightclub career into mid-1980s; suffered a stroke (Oct 27, 1998). Nominated for Best Actress for performance in Pete Kelly's Blues (1955).

See also autobiography Miss Peggy Lee (Fine, 1989); and Women in World History.