From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Joanna Cook Moore
Born	Dorothy Cook November 10, 1934(1934-11-10) Americus, Georgia, U.S.
Died	November 22, 1997 (aged 63) Indian Wells, California, U.S.
Other name(s)	Joanna Moore
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1957-1986
Spouse(s)	Willis Moore (? – ?) Ryan O'Neal (1963 – 1967)

Joanna Cook Moore (November 10, 1934 – November 22, 1997) was an American film and television actress best known for her guest roles on the popular television shows of the 1960s, most notably as Sheriff Andy Taylor's love interest, Peggy "Peg" McMillan in four episodes of The Andy Griffith Show.^[1] She was married to actor Ryan O'Neal and is the mother of Tatum O'Neal. She is often credited as Joanna Moore.

Early life

She was born Dorothy Cook, the elder of two daughters, in Americus, Georgia to Henry Cook, an atomic scientist, and Dorothy English Cook. When she was a child, her parents and younger sister were involved in a fatal car accident. Her mother and sister died immediately, while her father died a year after the accident from the injuries he sustained. For a time, Cook was raised by her grandmother until she became mentally and physically incapable. Cook was then adopted by a wealthy local family and changed her name from Dorothy to Joanna.^[2]

As a teen, she married, and quickly divorced, Willis Moore. After the divorce, she attended Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia. While attending college, she entered and won a beauty contest and was brought to Hollywood. Cook Moore's acting career began when she was spotted at a cocktail party by a producer for Universal.

Career

Cook Moore made her film debut in a 1957 crime drama, Appointment with a Shadow. Later that year, she appeared in episodes of Goodyear Theater and Harbourmaster, along with another film, Slim Carter. She also appeared in the new television series Wagon Train with Ricardo Montalban in the episode The Jean LeBee Story. In 1958, she had a small role in the film noir classic Touch of Evil, with Orson Welles, Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, and Marlene Dietrich. The same year, she appeared in Monster on the Campus and Ride a Crooked Trail. Throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, Cook Moore continued to appear in television on shows such as Studio One, Harbourmaster, Bachelor Father, Kraft Television Theatre, The Rough Riders, The Millionaire, The Untouchables, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 77 Sunset Strip, Hong Kong, The Brothers Brannagan, Gunsmoke, The Fugitive and Route 66.

In 1962, Cook Moore appeared as Miss Precious in Walk on the Wild Side with Jane Fonda, Barbara Stanwyck and Capucine, followed by the musical, Follow That Dream with Elvis Presley. She continued to land roles on television shows during the late 1960s and early 1970s, appearing in Bewitched, Nanny and the Professor, McCloud, and The Waltons. Cook Moore made her last screen appearance in the 1986 film, Run Chrissie Run!.

Personal life

On April 3, 1963, Cook Moore married actor Ryan O'Neal. She had earlier guest starred on O'Neal's television series Empire filmed on a New Mexico ranch. The couple had two children, Tatum Beatrice O'Neal, born in 1963, and Griffin Patrick O'Neal, born in 1964.^[3] The marriage was tempestuous and the couple separated in early 1966.^[4]

Around the time of the separation, Cook Moore began to abuse alcohol and drugs, namely amphetamine. She continued acting, but her depression worsened over her impending divorce. In February 1967, O'Neal and Cook Moore's divorce became final, and O'Neal quickly married actress Leigh Taylor-Young. The two had a son together the same year.^[2]

Later years

In 1970, Cook Moore acknowledged her addiction to drugs and alcohol and checked herself into the Camarillo State Hospital for treatment. The next year, she was arrested for drunk driving after she and O'Neal got into a fight while she and their children were visiting O'Neal's Malibu home. After her arrest, she lost custody of both Tatum and Griffin.^[2]

In 1975, she married Gary L. Reeves; however, the marriage was short lived and ended in 1976. By the late 1970s, she was being supported financially by daughter Tatum, who had become an Academy Award winning actress at age 10, and one of the highest-paid child stars of the era. The children were still in Ryan O'Neal's custody, and despite treatment, Cook Moore continued to abuse drugs and alcohol. As a result, she was arrested five times for DUI throughout the 1980s and 1990s.^[2]

Death

In 1996, Cook Moore, a long-time smoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer. On November 22, 1997, she died from the disease. Her daughter Tatum O'Neal was by her side at the time of her death.^[2]

Selected filmography

References

External links

• Joanna Moore at the Internet Movie Database
• Joanna Moore at TV.com
• Joanna Moore at Find a Grave