Gail Fisher (August 18, 1935 – December 2, 2000) was an American actress who was one of the first black women to play substantive roles in American television. She was best known for playing the role of secretary "Peggy Fair" on the television detective series Mannix from 1968 through 1975, a role for which she won two Golden Globe Awards and an Emmy Award. Fisher became the first black woman to win a Golden Globe.
It was really a revolution in casting, you know. It was understood by all of us who auditioned that the girl could be anything -- oriental, black, anything -- just a human being. I won. I was the first black female -- no, make that black, period -- to make a national TV commercial, on camera, with lines. My friends and family thought I was crazy, you know. But honey, there ain't any black actresses!
2
Certain people who had no knowledge of blacks have maybe -- maybe -- learned something because of Mannix's Peggy Fair. Blacks were pretty much alien objects on TV as recently as 10 years ago, you know, and now we're people. I think maybe before it's all over, it's going to be all right, and I'm proud I'm a part of that. -- GF, in a 1972 interview
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Fact
1
Gail was only the second black woman, the first being Nichelle Nichols of "Star Trek," cast as a regular character in a dramatic hour-long network series.
2
Landed her first television appearance at age 25 in the 1960 syndicated program, "Play of the Week".
3
Gail did not make her appearance on Mannix (1967) until the show's second season, after Mannix left the detective firm Intertect and set up his own shop as private investigator.
4
Became one of the first black actresses to appear in a national TV commercial with speaking lines when she did an ad for All detergent in 1961.
5
She battled drugs in the popular show's aftermath and finally sought rehab after being arrested in 1978 for cocaine possession.
6
CBS was hesitant to cast Gail as the widow and altruistic secretary Peggy Fair of detective Joe Mannix, but actor Mike Connors and "Mannix" producer Bruce Geller persisted.
7
One of TV's most visible black actors of the late 60s, Gail was nominated for four Emmy Awards for her stylish secretary, winning once, and for three Golden Globe Awards, winning twice.
8
Studied with Lee Strasberg and was later a member of the Repertory Theater at Lincoln Center where she worked with Elia Kazan. Her stage work included "A Raisin In The Sun," "Purlie Victorious" and "Danton's Death".
9
Had two daughters by her first husband: Samara and Jole.
10
Understudied Ruby Dee on Broadway in "Purlie Victorious".
11
In 1970 she became the very first African American Actress to win an Emmy award for acting, when she received the Emmy for Oustanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Peggy Fair in "Mannix".
12
On December 2, 2000, Gail Fisher passed away at home from lung cancer. 12 hours later, her brother Clifton, a businessman, died of heart failure.
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
Donor
1990
TV Movie
Secretary
Mankillers
1987
Joan Hanson
He's the Mayor
1986
TV Series
Lila
Hotel
1985
TV Series
Fran Willis
Knight Rider
1983
TV Series
Thelma
General Hospital
1982
TV Series
Judge Heller
Fantasy Island
1979
TV Series
Dr. Frantz
Medical Center
1975
TV Series
Bonnie Horne
Mannix
1968-1975
TV Series
Peggy Fair
Every Man Needs One
1972
TV Movie
Pauline Kramer
Love, American Style
1969-1971
TV Series
Penny (segment "Love and the Baby") / Mercy (segment "Love and the Hustler")
Room 222
1971
TV Series
Diana Brown
Insight
1970
TV Series
Mrs. Carter
My Three Sons
1968
TV Series
Carla
The Second Hundred Years
1967
TV Series
Young Matron
He & She
1967
TV Series
Helen
The Defenders
1962
TV Series
The Singer
Play of the Week
1959-1960
TV Series
Joyce Lane
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Celebrity Bowling
1972-1976
TV Series
Herself
The Merv Griffin Show
1975
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Dinah!
1975
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Match Game 73
1973-1974
TV Series
Herself - Panelist
Jeopardy!
1973
TV Series
Herself
The Hollywood Squares
1969-1973
TV Series
Herself - Panelist / Herself
The 15th Annual TV Week Logie Awards
1973
TV Special
Herself
Soul Train
1972
TV Series documentary
Herself
The David Frost Show
1971-1972
TV Series
Herself - Guest
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1971
TV Series
Herself - Guest
It's Your Bet
1970
TV Series
Herself
The 22nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1970
TV Special
Herself - Winner: Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Drama
The Art Linkletter Show
1970
TV Series
Herself - Guest
It Takes Two
1970
TV Series
Herself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Pioneers of Television
2014
TV Mini-Series documentary
Peggy Fair - Mannix
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1973
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best TV Actress - Drama
Mannix (1967)
1971
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Supporting Actress - Television
Mannix (1967)
1970
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Drama
Mannix (1967)
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1974
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Supporting Actress - Television
Mannix (1967)
1973
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Drama
Mannix (1967)
1972
Golden Globe
Golden Globes, USA
Best Supporting Actress - Television
Mannix (1967)
1972
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Drama
Mannix (1967)
1971
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Drama
$9 Million
