{{Short description|American actress (1931–2024)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Beth Trafford Peters | image = Beth Peters.jpeg | birth_name = Mary Elizabeth Trafford | birth_date = {{Birth date|1931|4|20}} | birth_place = Manasquan, New Jersey, U.S. | death_date = {{Death date and age|2024|3|14|1931|4|20}} | death_place = Florida, U.S. | alma_mater = Manasquan High School | occupation = Actress | years_active = 1955–2024 | spouse = {{Marriage|Jack Danon|<!--unknown-->|1996|reason=died}} | children = 3 }} '''Beth Trafford Peters''' (born '''Mary Elizabeth Trafford'''; April 20, 1931 – March 14, 2024) was an American actress.
==Early life and education== Born Mary Elizabeth Trafford<ref name=":0" /> in Manasquan, New Jersey on April 20, 1931,<ref>{{Cite web |last=F. |first=Matthew C. |date=April 21, 2024 |title=General Hospital Star, Beth Peters, Dies at 92 |url=https://tvovermind.com/beth-peters-dead-at-92/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |website=TV Overmind}}</ref> Peters started her acting and singing career as a teenager at Manasquan High School, where she performed in school plays and graduated in 1949.<ref name=":0">Clarke, Carole A (January 29, 1981). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-coast-star-actress-beth-peters-of-ma/144132903/ "Manasquan Native, Star Of Theater, Visits Shore"]. ''The Coast Star''. Accessed March 25, 2024, via Newspapers.com. "Beth Trafford Peters, class of 1949 at Manasquan High School an member of the cast of ''General Hospital'' on Channel 7, pours coffee during interview in her family's home in Manasquan.... But only if you are a member of the Manasquan High School class of 1949, or a nearby neighbor or close friend of the family would you have identified this vivacious personality as the onetime Miss Mary Elizabeth Trafford."</ref>
==Career== She first appeared on Broadway as an extra on ''Inherit the Wind'', later portraying Mrs. Brady in the show. In the early 1980s, Peters appeared in eight episodes of ''General Hospital'' as the character Mrs. Whitaker. Peters acted in regional theaters for much of her career, appearing on stage at venues including the ''Sacramento Music Circus'', ''Circle Star Theatre'' and the ''Carousel Theater''. Her television credits include ''Mr. Belvedere'', ''Quantum Leap'', ''Hart to Hart'', ''Simon and Simon'', ''Highway to Heaven'' and ''The Waltons''. Peters portrayed the role Mrs. Paroo in ''The Music Man'' more than 20 times.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Major |first=Michael |title=Broadway Alum Beth Peters Dies; The GENERAL HOSPITAL Star Was 92 |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Broadway-Alum-Beth-Peters-Dies-The-GENERAL-HOSPITAL-Star-Was-92-20240319 |access-date=March 20, 2024 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=}}</ref> Her other musical appearances include ''Sound of Music, Big River, Show Boat,'' and ''Funny Girl.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holmes |first=Martin |date=March 20, 2024 |title='General Hospital' Actress Beth Peters Dies at 92 |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1127543/general-hospital-beth-peters-dead-mrs-whitaker/ |access-date=March 20, 2024 |website=TV Insider |language=}}</ref> She also appeared in films, including ''Where Love Has Gone'', ''Fitzwilly'' and ''Back to School''. Peters was a longstanding member of the ''Actor’s Equity Association'', ''Screen Actors Guild'' and the ''American Federation of Television and Radio Artists''.<ref name="variety">{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Jaden |date=March 18, 2024 |title=Beth Peters, Actor on ‘General Hospital,’ Dies at 92 |url=https://variety.com/2024/theater/news/beth-peters-dead-general-hospital-1235945235/ |access-date=March 20, 2024 |website=Variety}}</ref>
==Personal life and death== Peters' husband actor Jack Danon predeceased her in 1996. She had one child and two stepchildren.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 19, 2024 |title=Beth Peters, GH’s Mrs. Whitaker, Dead at 92 |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/beth-peters-gh-mrs-whitaker-144156986.html |access-date=March 20, 2024 |website=Yahoo Life |language=}}</ref> Peters resided in Ocala, Florida as of 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Jannet |last2=Rizzo |first2=Marian |date=November 30, 2005 |title=Soap life |url=https://www.ocala.com/story/news/2005/12/01/soap-life/31150063007/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |website=Ocala StarBanner}}</ref>
Peters died after a brief illness in Florida, on March 14, 2024, at the age of 92.<ref name="variety"/>
==Selected filmography== *''Inherit the Wind'' *''General Hospital'' *''Mr. Belvedere'' *''Quantum Leap'' *''Hart to Hart'' *''Simon & Simon'' *''Highway to Heaven'' *''The Waltons'' *''The Music Man'' *''Where Love Has Gone'' *''Fitzwilly'' *''Back to School''
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|id=0676343}} * {{Rotten Tomatoes person|id=beth_peters}} * {{URL|https://www.tvinsider.com/people/beth-peters/|Beth Peters}} at TV Insider * {{TV Guide person|id=3000070473}} * {{TCMDb name|id=150975%7C0}} * [https://tv.apple.com/mx/person/beth-peters/umc.cpc.1zvl7f8s4kuvvdxuw26whdfn0 Beth Peters Films and Shows], Apple TV+
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Peters, Beth}} Category:1931 births Category:2024 deaths Category:20th-century American actresses Category:Actresses from Monmouth County, New Jersey Category:American musical theatre actresses Category:American television actresses Category:American film actresses Category:Manasquan High School alumni Category:People from Manasquan, New Jersey