Peter Graves Dead at 83

Graves passed away Sunday just a few days before his 84th birthday outside his home in Los Angeles, says publicist Sandy Brokaw. The Associated Press reports that Mr. Graves was returning home from brunch with his wife of 60 years and his family, when he had what is thought to be a heart attack.

Peter Graves appeared in the television series Fury in the early 60's. Although known for having a statesman like demeanor that helped him gain trust in commercials he did late in life his portrayal of a Nazis in the 1953 film Stalag 17 helped him to become known in Hollywood.

The Early Years

Peter went to the University of Minnesota were he majored in drama and performed in summer stock. Peter though followed his older brother west to Hollywood were he was successful enough to send for his sweetheart Joan Endress whom he married in 1950. They stayed married till his death a remarkable accomplishment in Hollywood. Later they had three daughters.

Brothers Both Found Stardom

Peter's older brother James Arness first gained stardom first in Gunsmoke in which he played the lead role Marshall Matt Dillion. Peter started his career in cheap films fighting grasshoppers and carrots. Then got a break when he did Stalag 17 were he portrayed a vicious Nazis. Then in the late 60's after having done a successful Saturday morning television series Fury Graves took on his best role in Mission Impossible as Agent Jim Phelps. Peter always started the show on a tape telling the super agents about the "job" if they chose to take it. Always careful to remind the agents that if they were exposed the "secretary" who disavows any knowledge of the job. Then the tape would self-destruct.

Later Years

Peter had a fatherly way about him that made him a favorite in the commercial endorsement area. When he wasn't doing commercials he did films. His least favorite film to start was Airplane a spoof on disaster flicks. But he soon lost his fear of comedy and was a favorite as the bumbling pilot Clarence Oveur. He also did Airplane: The Sequel.

He was fortunate to get documentary gigs as well doing stuff for Discovery Channel and PBS.

Peter was a successful actor, father and husband a rare breed. You will be missed Peter!