Actress Peggy Lipton, best known for her roles as Norma Jennings on Twin Peaks and Julie Barnes on The Mod Squad, has passed away at the age of 72. The news was confirmed by her daughters, Kidada and Rashida Jones. Lipton died following a battle with cancer. Lipton had been diagnosed with colon cancer initially in 2004. Her daughters had this to say in a statement.
"She made her journey peacefully with her daughters and nieces by her side. We feel so lucky for every moment we spent with her."
Peggy Lipton was born in New York on August 30, 1946. By the age of 15, she had already started a modeling career that took off rather quickly. At 19, she had started working in television, with her first role taking place in The John Forsythe Show in 1965. Not long after, she got her big break in The Mod Squad as Julie Barnes. The series ran from for more than 120 episodes until 1973. Lipton, for her part, won a Golden Globe and was nominated for four Emmys during the show's run.
Eventually, Peggy Lipton married famed music producer Quincy Jones in 1974. The two divorced in 1990, but during their marriage, Lipton gave birth to her daughters, Kidada and Rashida Jones. Lipton actually took a long break from acting in order to raise her daughters. She did, however, return for The Mod Squad reunion movie in 1979. Her eventual return to the limelight would come, along with her most memorable role, in David Lynch's cult TV series Twin Peaks.
Peggy Lipton starred as the now iconic Norma Jennings in the series. Lipton would also go on to reprise the role in the movie Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me and the revival series which aired on Showtime in 2017. The official Twitter account for the show shared this message following the news of her passing.
"Our hearts are full of sadness as we mourn the loss of the talented Peggy Lipton. She gave us our beloved Norma, who she filled with kindness and warmth as the heart of Twin Peaks. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family and friends. We will truly miss her presence."
Many figures around Hollywood took to social media in order to share their thoughts on the late actress, including her Twin Peaks co-stars Kyle MacLachlan and Madchen Amick. Peggy Lipton continued working through 2017. She starred alongside her daughter Rashida Jones in the TBS series Angie Tribeca as the titular character's mother, in a bit of meta casting. Some of her other later credits include Psych, Claws and A Dog's Purpose. We've included various social media tributes to the late actress for you to check out below. RIP, Peggy Lipton. This news was previously reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Our hearts are full of sadness as we mourn the loss of the talented Peggy Lipton.
— Twin Peaks on Showtime (@SHO_TwinPeaks) May 12, 2019
She gave us our beloved Norma, who she filled with kindness and warmth as the heart of Twin Peaks.❤️
Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family and friends. We will truly miss her presence. pic.twitter.com/Uw2WJsmVrQ
The RR diner is dark today. Very sorry to hear Peggy Lipton is gone. We’ve lost a beautiful soul.
— Kyle MacLachlan (@Kyle_MacLachlan) May 12, 2019
Oh my God. I’m broken hearted to hear of the passing of my friend Peggy Lipton. We had known each Other for many years and her beautiful girls were the loves of her life. She was an exquisite human being On all levels. god bless you. KIDADA and Rashida she’s your angel.
— Rosanna Arquette????✌???? (@RoArquette) May 12, 2019
Simply heartbreaking loss ????????????Peggy Lipton was a beautiful woman inside & out.
— Holly Robinson Peete (@hollyrpeete) May 12, 2019
So glad I got a chance to tell her that her character on #ModSquad was an inspiration for Judy Hoffs on 21 Jump Street
Sending love strength and courage to daughters @iamrashidajones#kidadajones
???????????? pic.twitter.com/YQ4rxOpzjO
She’s the one I always wanted to be. #PeggyLiptonpic.twitter.com/wrrtNQCUP2
— Helen Hunt (@HelenHunt) May 12, 2019
Absolutely loved Ms. Peggy Lipton. Her fan all through “Mod Squad”! And her friend in Syda Yoga. Deepest condolences to her beautiful daughters Rashida & Kikada & their families. https://t.co/Gf3PH9w97j
— Betty Buckley (@BettyBuckley) May 12, 2019
The lovely Peggy Lipton has left us. pic.twitter.com/Qj4iS8YwsL
— Steven Weber (@TheStevenWeber) May 12, 2019
I know I wanted to be her on The Mod Squad growing up... RIP #PeggyLiptonhttps://t.co/E05jmY5KRN
— Brooke Smith (@Iam_BrookeSmith) May 12, 2019
I’m heartbroken. I had the opportunity to work with Peggy for a few days on a film. I absolutely fell in love with her. I’ve honestly always thought of Peggy as...perfect. Honest, funny, nurturing, oh and loved some good, juicy, gossip???? https://t.co/RfQd0CqJG3
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 12, 2019
This is a heartbreak. What a woman. A new bright star in the heavens https://t.co/qvbBq2aTNt
— Kathy Valentine (@Kathy_Valentine) May 12, 2019
"I never had confidence—never. The hardest thing to know is your own worth, and it took me years and years to find out what mine is." Rest in peace, Peggy Lipton, whose beguiling presence and exquisite talent never failed to take our breath away. pic.twitter.com/YX0rSHQCwq
— Tribeca (@Tribeca) May 12, 2019
Getting to work with this wonderful.Woman on Psych was a highlight of my 8 seasons on the show she was Gracious and charming and supportive and I’m the richer for having met her #peggylipton will be so missed by so many. My heart goes out to @rashidajones and her family ???? pic.twitter.com/YIe7mWQr5t
— Timothy Omundson (@Omundson) May 12, 2019