Peter Sellers
Born	Richard Henry Sellers 8 September 1925(1925-09-08) Portsmouth, England
Died	July 24, 1980 (aged 54) London, England
Years active	1948 - 1980
Spouse(s)	Lynne Frederick (1977-1980) Miranda Quarry (1970-1974) Britt Ekland (1964-1968) Anne Howe (1951-1961)

Richard Henry Sellers, CBE, commonly known as Peter Sellers (8 September 1925 – 24 July 1980) was an English ^[1] comedian and actor best known for his three roles in Dr. Strangelove, as Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther films, and as Clare Quilty in the original 1962 screen version of Lolita. Events 70 - Roman forces under Titus sack Jerusalem. 1264 - The Statute of Kalisz Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. History See also History of Portsmouth There have been settlements in the area since before Roman times mostly being offshoots of Portchester, which England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Events 1132 - Battle of Nocera between Ranulf II of Alife and Roger II of Sicily. Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Lynne Maria Frederick ( July 25, 1954 &ndash April 27, 1994) was an English actress Miranda Countess of Stockton (Miranda Elizabeth Louise Quarry (born 1948 is a former Australian fashion model who is now known as the Countess of Stockton. Britt Ekland (born 6 October 1942 in Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish Actress, long resident in the United Kingdom The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British Order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. Events 70 - Roman forces under Titus sack Jerusalem. 1264 - The Statute of Kalisz Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1132 - Battle of Nocera between Ranulf II of Alife and Roger II of Sicily. Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience primarily by making them laugh An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works Inspector Jacques Clouseau (later chief inspector is a fictional Detective in Blake Edwards 's Pink Panther series The Pink Panther is a series of comedy films featuring the bumbling French police detective Jacques Clouseau that began in 1963 with the release of Clare Quilty is a fictional character in Vladimir Nabokov 's 1955 novel Lolita. Lolita is an influential 1962 film by Stanley Kubrick based on the classic novel of the same title by Vladimir Nabokov.

Sellers rose to fame on the BBC Home Service radio series The Goon Show. The Goon Show was a British Radio comedy programme originally produced and broadcast by the BBC Home Service from 1951 to 1960 His ability to speak in different accents (e. g. French, Indian, American, British, German), along with his talent to portray a range of characters, contributed to his success as radio personality and screen actor and earned him national and international nominations and awards. Many of his characters and cultural stereotypes became ingrained in public perception of his work. Sellers's private life, however, was characterised by turmoil and crises, brought on by mental problems and substance abuse. Substance abuse is the overindulgence in and dependence of a Drug or other chemical leading to effects that are detrimental to the individual's physical and mental health Sellers was married four times—his second wife was the Swedish actress Britt Ekland—with three children from two of his marriages. Britt Ekland (born 6 October 1942 in Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish Actress, long resident in the United Kingdom

Biography

Early life

Peter Sellers's birthplace on the corner of Castle Road and Southsea terrace, in Portsmouth. Southsea is a Seaside resort located in Portsmouth at the southern tip of Portsea Island in the county of Hampshire in England History See also History of Portsmouth There have been settlements in the area since before Roman times mostly being offshoots of Portchester, which The blue plaques read "Peter Sellers, Actor and Comedian was born here"

Sellers was born in Southsea, Portsmouth, England to a family of entertainers. Southsea is a Seaside resort located in Portsmouth at the southern tip of Portsea Island in the county of Hampshire in England History See also History of Portsmouth There have been settlements in the area since before Roman times mostly being offshoots of Portchester, which England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland His parents nicknamed him Peter at an early age, after his elder stillborn brother. ^[2] He attended a Roman Catholic school, St. Aloysius College, although his father was Protestant and his mother was Jewish. This article is about Catholic schools in general for specific schools named Catholic High School, see Catholic High School (disambiguation. St Aloysius' College is a Roman Catholic, boys-only State school in Islington, North London. Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ He was a descendant of English prizefighter Daniel Mendoza, who was of Portuguese-Jewish descent. Daniel Mendoza ( 5 July 1764 &ndash 3 September 1836) (often known as Dan Mendoza) was an English Prizefighter The history of the Jews in Portugal is directly related to Sephardi history a Jewish ethnic division that represents communities who have originated ^[3] Sellers is also a cousin of Talksport radio presenter Mike Mendoza. Mike Mendoza born on November 1, 1955, is a British radio presenter best known for the Overnight shows he presented on TalkSPORT between 2004 ^[4]

Accompanying his family on the variety show circuit,^[2] Sellers learned stagecraft which proved valuable later. A variety show or variety entertainment is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts especially Musical performances and Comedy Skits and He performed at five at the Windmill Theatre in the drama Splash Me!, which featured his mother. The Windmill Theatre, later the Windmill Club, was a variety and revue Theatre in Great Windmill Street London. He was a versatile artist, excelling at dancing, drumming well enough to tour with jazz bands (his drumming is shown in a clip of the Steve Allen show in 1964), and playing ukulele and banjo. Dance (from French danser, perhaps from Frankish) is an Art form that generally refers to movement of the body usually rhythmic A drummer is a Musician who plays a Drum or drums particularly a Drum kit ("drum set" or "trap set" Marching percussion Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States Steve Allen, born Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen ( December 26 1921 – October 30 2000) was an American The ukulele (ˌjʉːkəˈlɛɪli from ʻukulele /ˌʔukuˈlele/ variantly spelled ukelele (particularly in the UK) or alternatively abbreviated uke The banjo is a Stringed instrument developed by enslaved Africans in the United States, adapted from several African instruments In Parkinson, Sellers claimed his father had taught George Formby to play ukulele. Parkinson was a British television Chat show presented by Sir Michael Parkinson. George Formby may refer to George Formby Jr, banjolele player singer and comedian 1904 - 1961 George Formby Sr Sellers played ukulele on the "New York Girls" track for Steeleye Span's 1975 album Commoner's Crown. Steeleye Span is a British Electric folk band formed in 1969 and remaining active today Commoners Crown is an album by the Electric folk band Steeleye Span, its seventh release overall and the second album with the band's most commercially successful ^[5]

World War II

During World War II, Sellers was an airman in the Royal Air Force, rising to corporal, though he had been relegated to ground staff due to poor eyesight. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including His tour included India and Burma, although the duration of his stay in Asia is unknown, and he may have exaggerated its length. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Burma, officially the Union of Myanmar ( pjìdàunzṵ mjàmmà nàinŋàndɔ̀ is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia. He also served in Germany and France after the war. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. ^[2]

As a distraction from the life of a non-commissioned officer, Sellers joined the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA), allowing him to hone his drumming and comedy. The Entertainments National Service Association, or ENSA was an organisation set up in 1939 by Basil Dean and Leslie Henson to provide entertainment He occasionally impersonated his superiors,^[2] and his portrayal of RAF officer Lionel Mandrake in the film Dr. Strangelove may have been modelled on them. He bluffed his way into the Officers Club using mimicry and the occasional false moustache, although as he told Michael Parkinson in the 1972 interview, occasionally older officers would suspect him. Sir Michael Parkinson, CBE (born March 28 1935) is an English broadcaster and Journalist. The voice of Goon Show character Major Dennis Bloodnok came from this period. The Goon Show was a British Radio comedy programme originally produced and broadcast by the BBC Home Service from 1951 to 1960 Major Dennis Bloodnok, IND ARM. RTD (Military idiot former plumber's mate coward and bar is a character from the 1950s

The Goon Show

After his discharge and return to England in 1948, Sellers supported himself with stand-up routines in variety theatres whose impresarios needed to legitimise their business. Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A variety show or variety entertainment is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts especially Musical performances and Comedy Skits and ^[2] Sellers telephoned BBC radio producer Roy Speer, pretending to be Kenneth Horne, a member of the radio show, Much Binding in the Marsh,to get Speer to speak to him. Kenneth Horne ( 27 February 1907, London – 14 February 1969) was an English comedian and businessman Much-Binding-in-the-Marsh was the title of a comical BBC radio and Radio Luxembourg show broadcast from 1944 to 1954 starring Kenneth Horne Sellers was eventually cast on The Goon Show with Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe and Michael Bentine. The Goon Show was a British Radio comedy programme originally produced and broadcast by the BBC Home Service from 1951 to 1960 Terence Alan Patrick Seán Milligan KBE ( 16 April, 1918 &ndash 27 February 2002) known as Spike Milligan, was an Anglo Sir Harry Donald Secombe, CBE ( 8 September 1921 &ndash 11 April 2001) was a Welsh Entertainer with a noted fine Michael Bentine CBE ( 26 January 1922 - 26 November 1996) was a Comedian, comic Actor, and founding Sellers followed this with television work.

Film career

Sellers's film success arrived with British comedies, including The Ladykillers, I'm All Right Jack and The Mouse That Roared. British Comedy, in Film, Radio and Television, is known for its consistently quirky characters plots and settings and has produced some of the most This article is about the 1955 film For the remake see The Ladykillers (2004 film. I'm All Right Jack is a British Comedy film directed and produced by John and Roy Boulting released in 1959 as a Sequel The Mouse that Roared is a 1955 novel by Irish writer Leonard Wibberley that launched a series of satirical books about an imaginary He began receiving international attention for his portrayal of an Indian doctor in The Road to Hong Kong, the seventh and last in the "Road" series, starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour. The Road to Hong Kong ( 1962) was the last in the long-running Road to Road to refers to a series of seven comedy films starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Dorothy Lamour. Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby ( May 3, 1903 &ndash October 14, 1977) was an Academy Award winning American Popular Bob Hope, KBE KCSG ( May 29, 1903 &ndash July 27, 2003) was an American comedian and actor who appeared in Dorothy Lamour ( December 10, 1914 – September 22, 1996) was an American motion picture actress.

Playing as Sonny MacGregor an impersonator of sorts in the Sonny MacGregor Show in The Naked Truth (1957)

Sellers found further international acclaim with the The Millionairess with Sophia Loren. The Millionairess is a 1960 Romantic comedy film set in London, directed by Anthony Asquith and starring Peter Sellers Sophia Loren (born September 20 1934 is an Academy Award winning Italian film actress born Sofia Villani Scicolone The film inspired the George Martin radio and television production Goodness Gracious Me, as well as two novelty songs Goodness Gracious Me and Bangers and Mash, both featuring Sellers and Loren. Sir George Henry Martin CBE (3 January 1926 is a British record producer arranger and Composer. Goodness Gracious Me is a BBC English language Sketch comedy show originally on BBC Radio 4 and later televised on BBC Two "Goodness Gracious Me" is a comedy song recorded by Peter Sellers and Sophia Loren, and was a top 10 UK single in 1960 He starred in Stanley Kubrick's Lolita as Clare Quilty, opposite James Mason as Humbert Humbert. Lolita is an influential 1962 film by Stanley Kubrick based on the classic novel of the same title by Vladimir Nabokov. James Neville Mason ( 15 May 1909 – 27 July 1984) was a three-time Academy Award -nominated British Actor who Lolita (1955 is a Novel by Vladimir Nabokov, first written in English and published in 1955 in Paris, later translated by the author In portraying Quilty, Sellers proved a scene stealer.

Peter Sellers in Dr. Strangelove (1964)

A breakthrough came with Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb in which he portrayed three characters: U. Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. S. President Merkin Muffley, Dr. A merkin (first use according to the OED, 1617 is a pubic wig, originally worn by prostitutes after Shaving their Genitalia Strangelove and Group Captain Lionel Mandrake of the RAF. Muffley and Strangelove appeared in the same room throughout the film. Sellers was also cast in the role of Major T. J. 'King' Kong. Initially, Sellers struggled with the character's Southern accent, but a crewmember made a recording of a Texan accent,^[2] which Sellers apparently mastered after repeated listenings . The Southern United States &mdashcommonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South &mdashconstitutes a large distinctive However, during a scene in a plane designed for the set, Sellers fell 15 feet and broke his leg, preventing additional cockpit scenes and forcing Kubrick to replace Sellers with Slim Pickens. Louis Burton Lindley Jr (June 29 1919 &ndash December 8 1983 better known by the Stage name Slim Pickens, was an American Rodeo performer and

Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther movies

Sellers is most famous for his performance as the bumbling Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther movies, a role that Peter Ustinov had declined. Inspector Jacques Clouseau (later chief inspector is a fictional Detective in Blake Edwards 's Pink Panther series The Pink Panther is a series of comedy films featuring the bumbling French police detective Jacques Clouseau that began in 1963 with the release of Inspector Jacques Clouseau (later chief inspector is a fictional Detective in Blake Edwards 's Pink Panther series The Pink Panther is a series of comedy films featuring the bumbling French police detective Jacques Clouseau that began in 1963 with the release of Sir Peter Alexander Ustinov (ˈjuːstɪnɒf or /ˈuːstɪnɒf/ 16 April 1921 – 28 March 2004) born Peter Alexander Baron von Ustinow This character gave Sellers a worldwide audience, beginning with The Pink Panther and its sequel, A Shot in the Dark, in which he featured more prominently. The Pink Panther, directed by Blake Edwards and co-written by Edwards and Maurice Richlin, is a Comedy film, starring David Niven A Shot in the Dark is a Comedy film directed by Blake Edwards and is the second installment in the Pink Panther series He returned to the character for three more sequels from 1975 to 1978. Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) The Trail of the Pink Panther was released after his death in 1982, containing unused footage of Sellers. Trail of the Pink Panther is a 1982 Comedy film starring Peter Sellers. His widow, Lynne Frederick, successfully sued the film's producers for unauthorized use. Lynne Maria Frederick ( July 25, 1954 &ndash April 27, 1994) was an English actress Sellers had prepared to star as Chief Inspector Clouseau in another Pink Panther film; he died before the start of this project, Romance of the Pink Panther. The Romance of the Pink Panther was to be the seventh Film in the Pink Panther series and would have starred Peter Sellers in the role of

Sellers was a versatile actor, switching from broad comedy, as in The Party, to more intense performances as in Lolita. The Party (alternative title " Hollywood Party " is a 1968 comedy written and directed by Blake Edwards, Lolita is an influential 1962 film by Stanley Kubrick based on the classic novel of the same title by Vladimir Nabokov.

Sellers faced a downturn by the early 1970s and was dubbed "box office poison". ^[6] But after the successful return of Clouseau role in new Pink Panther movies, he produced and starred in a film, Being There (1979). Inspector Jacques Clouseau (later chief inspector is a fictional Detective in Blake Edwards 's Pink Panther series Being There is a 1979 film directed by Hal Ashby, adapted from the 1971 novel written by Jerzy Kosiński. ^[2] Based on the Jerzy Kosinski novel he cherished, Being There earned Sellers his best reviews since the 1960s, a second Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe award. Jerzy Kosinski ( June 14, 1933 &ndash May 3, 1991) was a Polish-American Novelist, best known for the novels "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. The Golden Globe Awards are American awards for motion pictures and Television programs given out each year during a formal dinner Sellers never won an Oscar but won the BAFTA for I'm All Right Jack. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA is a British charity that hosts annual awards shows for film television television craft video games and forms of animation

Sellers appeared on The Muppet Show television series in 1977. The Muppet Show is an American Television program featuring a cast of Muppets which was produced by Jim Henson and his team from He chose not to appear as himself, instead appearing in a variety of costumes and accents. When Kermit the Frog told Sellers he could relax and be "himself", Sellers (while wearing a Viking helmet, a girdle and one boxing glove, claiming to have attempted to dress as Queen Victoria), replied, "There is no me. Kermit the Frog is a Muppet, one of Puppeteer Jim Henson 's most famous and beloved creations first introduced in 1955 Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland I do not exist. There used to be a me, but I had it surgically removed. "

Monty Casino

Barclays Bank approached Sellers to be on the team for advertisements. Barclays asked Sellers to play Harry Hodges, a Cockney wheeler-dealer ready to make a penny wherever possible. When it came to shooting, Sellers said Harry Hodges was no longer the plan and decided to go under the guise of Monty Casino. Casino’s character resembled Hodges and if not for the change of name and cultural background could have gone unnoticed. Now the new Jewish Monty Casino was ready to make or break the Barclays campaign. Sellers died approximately two weeks later and so did Monty Casino. Barclays felt that without Sellers, it should go back to the original plan and it hired Peter Cook to play Harry Hodges. Monty Casino had little airtime and was the last role Peter Sellers played.

Personal and professional struggles

Sellers had a troubled personal life. He often clashed with actors and directors, including a strained relationship with friend and director Blake Edwards, with whom he worked on the Pink Panther series among other films. Blake Edwards (born July 26, 1922) is an Academy Award -winning American Film director, Screenwriter, and producer The two sometimes stopped speaking to each other during filming. ^[2] Their personal and professional relationship was disrupted by Sellers's demeanour, highlighted in the semi-biographical HBO/BBC film The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. The Life and Death of Peter Sellers is a 2004 film about the life of British comic actor Peter Sellers, based on Roger Lewis 's book

Sellers's personality was described as difficult and demanding by others. His behaviour caused physical and emotional hurt to many, notably his first three wives. As portrayed in The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, he told his eight-year-old son that the boy's mother (Sellers's wife at the time) was having an affair. Sellers is known to have assaulted Britt Ekland,^[2] often prompted by unsubstantiated jealousy. Britt Ekland (born 6 October 1942 in Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish Actress, long resident in the United Kingdom

His work with Orson Welles on Casino Royale deteriorated as Sellers became jealous of Welles's casual relationship with Princess Margaret. George Orson Welles (May 6 1915 – October 10 1985 was an Academy Award -winning director, writer actor and producer for film stage radio and television Casino Royale is a 1967 epic surrealistic Satire originally produced by Columbia Pictures starring an Ensemble cast The relationship between the two actors created logistic problems during filming, as Sellers refused to share the set with Welles, who himself was no stranger to strident behaviour. Sellers could be cruel and disrespectful, as demonstrated in his treatment of actress Jo Van Fleet on the set of I Love You, Alice B. Toklas (1968). Jo Van Fleet ( December 30, 1914 &ndash June 10, 1996) was an Academy Award - and Tony Award - winning American I Love You Alice B Toklas is a 1968 Comedy film starring Peter Sellers, directed by Hy Averback and featuring music by Harpers Bizarre On one occasion, Van Fleet had declined an invitation to his house, soon followed by a misunderstanding between the two actors during filming. This prompted Sellers to a tirade against Van Fleet in front of actors and crew. ^[2]

Sellers was reticent about discussing his private life. On the Muppet Show (season 2), in a "backstage" chat with Kermit, Sellers declined to step out of character, explaining he had "no real me". The Muppet Show is an American Television program featuring a cast of Muppets which was produced by Jim Henson and his team from This is a complete listing of episodes of the Live-action / Puppet Television series The Muppet Show. He was invited to appear on Michael Parkinson's eponymous chat show in 1974, but agreed under the condition that he could appear in character. Sir Michael Parkinson, CBE (born March 28 1935) is an English broadcaster and Journalist. Parkinson was a British television Chat show presented by Sir Michael Parkinson. Sellers appeared dressed as a member of the Gestapo, impersonating Kenneth Mars' in The Producers. The ( contraction of ge heime Sta ats' po' lizei: "Secret State Police" was the official Secret police of Nazi Germany Kenneth Mars (born April 14, 1936) is an American Television, movie and Voice actor, perhaps best known for his roles in several The Producers is a 1968 feature-length Comedy film written and directed by Mel Brooks. After a few lines in keeping with his assumed character, he stepped out of the role and settled down for what is considered one of Parkinson's most memorable interviews. ^[7]

It has been suggested that Sellers suffered depression spurred by deep-seated anxieties of artistic and personal failure. Major depressive disorder, also known as major depression, unipolar depression, unipolar disorder, clinical depression, or simply depression Some behaviour may have been exacerbated by substance abuse, for Sellers regularly smoked cannabis, drank large amounts of alcohol, and used other recreational drugs. Substance abuse is the overindulgence in and dependence of a Drug or other chemical leading to effects that are detrimental to the individual's physical and mental health Cannabis, also known as marijuana or marihuana, or ganja (from Hindi / Sanskrit: गांजा gānjā hemp) is a In Chemistry, an alcohol is any Organic compound in which a Hydroxyl group ( - O[[hydrogen H]]) is bound to a Carbon Recreational drug use is the use of Psychoactive drugs for Recreational purposes rather than for work, medical or spiritual purposes It is now believed that his drug use, especially amyl nitrites, contributed to heart attacks in 1964 (see below). Drugs can be used in many different ways as detailed below Medication See also Medication People can use drugs to relieve pain or discomfort or to cure Amyl nitrite is the Chemical compound with the formula C5H11ONO Myocardial infarction ( MI or AMI for acute myocardial infarction) also known as a heart attack, occurs when the blood supply Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. Sellers became aware that his frail psyche affected his career and life. However, rather than seeking professional counselling, he opted for periodic consultations with astrologer Maurice Woodruff, who seemed to have had considerable sway over his later career. Maurice Woodruff ( 1920 - January 28, 1973) was an English Seer or Clairvoyant, and Astrologer based in ^[2]

Relationships with other celebrities

Sellers had casual friendships with two Beatles, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 George Harrison, MBE (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001 was an English rock Guitarist Singer - Songwriter, Author Ringo Starr, MBE (born Richard Starkey on 7 July 1940 is an English Musician, Singer, Songwriter and Actor ^[2] Harrison told occasional Sellers stories in interviews, and Starr appeared with him in the anarchic movie The Magic Christian (1970), whose theme song was Badfinger's "Come and Get It", written by Paul McCartney. The Magic Christian is a 1969 film directed by Joseph McGrath and starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr. Badfinger was a Rock band formed in Swansea Wales in the early 1960s and was one of the earliest representatives of the Power pop genre " Come And Get It " was the name of a song composed by Paul McCartney for the film The Magic Christian, and made popular by the group Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE (born 18 June 1942 is an English rock Singer, Bass guitarist songwriter Composer, Starr also gave Sellers a rough mix of songs from the Beatles' White Album; the tape was auctioned and bootlegged after his death. A bootleg recording is an audio and/or Video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority Sellers recorded a cover version of A Hard Day's Night (1965), in the style of Laurence Olivier's interpretation of Richard III. In Popular music, a cover version, or simply cover, is a new rendition ( Performance or Recording) of a previously recorded commercially released " A Hard Day's Night " is a song by British rock band The Beatles. Laurence Kerr Olivier Baron Richard III is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1591

First man on the cover of Playboy

Sellers's friendships included actor and director Roman Polanski, who shared his passion for fast cars. Playboy is an American Men's magazine, founded in Chicago Illinois, by Hugh Hefner and his associates which has grown into Playboy Sellers was a friend of Princess Margaret and had a close relationship with Sophia Loren, for whom he seemed to have felt strong but apparently unrequited romantic attraction. Sophia Loren (born September 20 1934 is an Academy Award winning Italian film actress born Sofia Villani Scicolone ^[2] Sellers was the first man on the cover of Playboy — he appeared on the April 1964 cover with Karen Lynn. Playboy is an American Men's magazine, founded in Chicago Illinois, by Hugh Hefner and his associates which has grown into Playboy Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. Karen Lynn Gorney (born January 28, 1945) is an American actress, known for her roles on television and film

Obsession with automobiles

Sellers had a lifelong obsession with cars, briefly parodied in a fleeting cameo in the short film Simon Simon, directed by friend Graham Stark. Graham Stark (born 20 January 1922, Wallasey, England) is an English comedian actor writer and director His love for cars was also referenced in the The Goon Show episode "The Space Age", where Harry Secombe introduces Sellers by saying, "Good heavens, it's Peter Sellers, who has just broken his own record of keeping a car for more than a month. The Goon Show was a British Radio comedy programme originally produced and broadcast by the BBC Home Service from 1951 to 1960 Sir Harry Donald Secombe, CBE ( 8 September 1921 &ndash 11 April 2001) was a Welsh Entertainer with a noted fine " In "The Last Goon Show of All", announcer Andrew Timothy cued him with "Mr. The Goon Show was a British Radio comedy programme originally produced and broadcast by the BBC Home Service from 1951 to 1960 Andrew Timothy, born in 1912 was at first a local parish priest but later became a BBC Radio announcer who is best known for being the original announcer of the comedy series Sellers will now sell a gross of his cars and take up a dramatic voice". A gross is equal to a Dozen dozen ie 12 × 12 = 144. It can be used in Duodecimal counting

Marriages

Sellers was married four times:

1. Actress Anne Howe (1951–1961). They had two children, Michael and Sarah. Michael Sellers, ( 2 April 1954 &ndash 24 July 2006) was an English Actor, builder, car restorer Author
2. Swedish actress Britt Ekland (1964–1968). "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. Britt Ekland (born 6 October 1942 in Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish Actress, long resident in the United Kingdom They had a daughter, Victoria Sellers. Victoria Sellers (born January 25, 1965 in London England) is the only child from the marriage of actor Peter Sellers and actress Britt The couple appeared in two films together: After the Fox (1966) and The Bobo (1967). Caccia alla volpe ( After the Fox) is a 1966 Italian Comedy film starring Peter Sellers and directed by Vittorio De Sica The Bobo is a 1967 British Comedy film starring Peter Sellers and co-starring his then-wife Britt Ekland.
3. Australian model Miranda Quarry (now the Countess of Stockton) (1970–1974). For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Miranda Countess of Stockton (Miranda Elizabeth Louise Quarry (born 1948 is a former Australian fashion model who is now known as the Countess of Stockton.
4. English actress Lynne Frederick (1977–1980), who later married Sir David Frost. Lynne Maria Frederick ( July 25, 1954 &ndash April 27, 1994) was an English actress Sir David Paradine Frost, OBE (born 7 April 1939) is an English Satirist and Television presenter, famed as both a

Again, Spike Milligan wrote this into his scripts, referring in one 1972 radio show to "The Peter Sellers Discarded Wives Memorial". Terence Alan Patrick Seán Milligan KBE ( 16 April, 1918 &ndash 27 February 2002) known as Spike Milligan, was an Anglo At the time, Sellers was married to his third wife, Miranda Quarry.

Death

In 1964, at age 38, Sellers suffered a near-fatal heart attack, which permanently damaged his heart. Myocardial infarction ( MI or AMI for acute myocardial infarction) also known as a heart attack, occurs when the blood supply Sellers' heart condition deteriorated when he deferred proper medical treatment, instead opting for "psychic healers. Psychic surgery is a procedure typically involving the apparent creation of an Incision using only the bare hands the apparent removal of Pathological matter ^[8]" He also wore a pacemaker, which caused him considerable problems. For other uses see Pacemaker (disambiguation A pacemaker (or artificial pacemaker, so as not to be confused with the heart's natural pacemaker ^[2]

A reunion dinner was scheduled in London with his Goon Show partners, Spike Milligan and Harry Secombe, for late July 1980. The Goon Show was a British Radio comedy programme originally produced and broadcast by the BBC Home Service from 1951 to 1960 Terence Alan Patrick Seán Milligan KBE ( 16 April, 1918 &ndash 27 February 2002) known as Spike Milligan, was an Anglo Sir Harry Donald Secombe, CBE ( 8 September 1921 &ndash 11 April 2001) was a Welsh Entertainer with a noted fine But on 22 July Sellers collapsed from a massive heart attack in his Dorchester Hotel room and fell into a coma. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Godfrey of Bouillon is elected the first Defender of the Holy Sepulchre of The Kingdom of The Dorchester is a leading luxury Hotel on Park Lane in Mayfair, London, overlooking Hyde Park. He died in a London hospital just after midnight on 24 July 1980, aged 54. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Events 1132 - Battle of Nocera between Ranulf II of Alife and Roger II of Sicily. Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) He was survived by his fourth wife, Lynne Frederick, and three children: Michael, Sarah and Victoria. Lynne Maria Frederick ( July 25, 1954 &ndash April 27, 1994) was an English actress At the time of his death he was scheduled to undergo heart surgery in Los Angeles within the month. Cardiac surgery is Surgery on the Heart and/or Great vessels performed by a Cardiac surgeon. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West .

Sellers's fourth wife inherited the bulk of his estate, and his children received £800 each. ^[2] Sellers's only son, Michael, died of a heart attack at 52 during surgery on 24 July 2006 ^[9]. Events 1132 - Battle of Nocera between Ranulf II of Alife and Roger II of Sicily. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. It was 26 years to the day after his father died of the same condition. Michael was survived by his second wife, Alison, whom he married in 1986, and their two children.

Legacy

In his will, Sellers requested that the Glenn Miller song "In the Mood" be played at his funeral. Alton Glenn Miller ( March 1 1904 &ndash presumably December 15 1944) was an American Jazz musician and " In the Mood " is a song popularized by the American bandleader Glenn Miller in 1939 and one of the best-known arrangements of the Big band era The request is considered his last touch of humour, as he hated the song. This is verified in Michael Bentine's memoir The Door Marked Summer. Michael Bentine CBE ( 26 January 1922 - 26 November 1996) was a Comedian, comic Actor, and founding His body was cremated and he was interred at Golders Green Crematorium in London. Golders Green Crematorium and Mausoleum was the first crematorium to be opened in London, and one of the oldest crematoria in Britain.

The film Trail of the Pink Panther, made by Blake Edwards using unused footage of Sellers from The Pink Panther Strikes Again, is dedicated to Sellers's memory. Trail of the Pink Panther is a 1982 Comedy film starring Peter Sellers. The Pink Panther Strikes Again is the fifth Film in the Pink Panther series and continues the story after the end of The Return of the Pink Panther The title reads "To Peter. . . The one and only Inspector Clouseau. "

In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, Sellers was voted among the top 20 greatest comedy acts by fellow comedians and comedy insiders.

Filmography

Comedy singles

Sellers released several comedy singles, many of them produced by George Martin and released on the Parlophone record label. This article is about the 1955 film For the remake see The Ladykillers (2004 film. The Smallest Show on Earth is a 1957 British Comedy film, directed by Basil Dearden, and starring Bill Travers, Virginia The Naked Truth (also known as "Your Past is Showing" is a 1957 British film comedy starring Peter Sellers, Terry-Thomas tom thumb is a 1958 US-made Fantasy - Musical film directed by George Pal and released by MGM. The Mouse that Roared is a 1955 novel by Irish writer Leonard Wibberley that launched a series of satirical books about an imaginary Carlton-Browne of the FO is a 1959 British Comedy film made by the Boulting Brothers. I'm All Right Jack is a British Comedy film directed and produced by John and Roy Boulting released in 1959 as a Sequel The Battle of the Sexes is a 1959 film with Peter Sellers, Robert Morley and Constance Cummings. The Millionairess is a 1960 Romantic comedy film set in London, directed by Anthony Asquith and starring Peter Sellers Two-Way Stretch is a British Comedy Film of 1960, about a group of prisoners who plan to break out of jail, commit a Only Two Can Play is a 1962 Comedy film based on the novel That Uncertain Feeling by Kingsley Amis. The Wrong Arm of the Law is a 1963 British Comedy film starring Peter Sellers, directed by Cliff Owen and written in part Lolita is an influential 1962 film by Stanley Kubrick based on the classic novel of the same title by Vladimir Nabokov. Trial and Error is a 1962 black-and-white British movie starring Peter Sellers, directed by James Hill and based on the play The Pink Panther, directed by Blake Edwards and co-written by Edwards and Maurice Richlin, is a Comedy film, starring David Niven Heavens Above! is a 1963 British Satirical Comedy film starring Peter Sellers, directed by John and Roy Boulting The World of Henry Orient is a 1964 American Comedy film based on the novel of the same name by Nora Johnson. A Shot in the Dark is a Comedy film directed by Blake Edwards and is the second installment in the Pink Panther series What's New Pussycat? is a Comedy film directed by Clive Donner and starring Peter Sellers, Peter O'Toole, Romy Schneider The Wrong Box ( 1966) is a British Comedy film made by Salamander Film Productions and distributed by Columbia Pictures. Caccia alla volpe ( After the Fox) is a 1966 Italian Comedy film starring Peter Sellers and directed by Vittorio De Sica Casino Royale is a 1967 epic surrealistic Satire originally produced by Columbia Pictures starring an Ensemble cast The Bobo is a 1967 British Comedy film starring Peter Sellers and co-starring his then-wife Britt Ekland. The Party (alternative title " Hollywood Party " is a 1968 comedy written and directed by Blake Edwards, I Love You Alice B Toklas is a 1968 Comedy film starring Peter Sellers, directed by Hy Averback and featuring music by Harpers Bizarre The Magic Christian is a 1969 film directed by Joseph McGrath and starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr. ‎ There's a Girl in My Soup is a British Comedy film, directed by Roy Boulting and starring Peter Sellers and Goldie Hawn Hoffman is a 1970 British film directed by Alvin Rakoff and starring Peter Sellers, Sinéad Cusack, Jennifer Ruth Dunning and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is a 1972 British musical film based on the Lewis Carroll novel of the same name. The Return of the Pink Panther is the fourth film in the Pink Panther series released in. Murder by Death is a comedy movie written by Neil Simon and directed by Robert Moore. The Pink Panther Strikes Again is the fifth Film in the Pink Panther series and continues the story after the end of The Return of the Pink Panther Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978 is the sixth film in the Pink Panther film series and last with Peter Sellers, though a later film in the The Prisoner of Zenda is a 1979 comedy film adapted from the Adventure Novel by Anthony Hope, first published in 1894. Being There is a 1979 film directed by Hal Ashby, adapted from the 1971 novel written by Jerzy Kosiński. ‎ The Fiendish Plot of Dr Fu Manchu is a 1980 Comedy film, notable as the final film to star Peter Sellers while he was alive Trail of the Pink Panther is a 1982 Comedy film starring Peter Sellers. Sir George Henry Martin CBE (3 January 1926 is a British record producer arranger and Composer. Parlophone is a Record label, founded in Germany in 1896 by the Carl Lindström Company. These include the following hits:

• "Any Old Iron" (1957) UK # 17
• "Goodness Gracious Me" (1960) with Sophia Loren UK # 4
• "Bangers and Mash" (1961), a follow-up also featuring Sophia Loren UK # 22
• "A Hard Day's Night" (1965) UK # 14. "Goodness Gracious Me" is a comedy song recorded by Peter Sellers and Sophia Loren, and was a top 10 UK single in 1960 Sophia Loren (born September 20 1934 is an Academy Award winning Italian film actress born Sofia Villani Scicolone Sophia Loren (born September 20 1934 is an Academy Award winning Italian film actress born Sofia Villani Scicolone This consisted of him speaking the lyrics using the stereotypical voice of an actor playing Shakespeare's Richard III. Richard III is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1591 He also performed the song in costume on television. The recording was re-issued in 1993 and reached Number 52 in the UK Top 75 Singles chart. The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official UK Charts Company (OCC on behalf of the British record industry

He covered several other Beatles hits, including Help! and She Loves You. The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 " Help! " is a song by The Beatles that served as the title Song for both the album Help! and the film Help!. " She Loves You " is a song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, originally recorded by The Beatles for release as a single in 1963 Sellers also recorded a parody version of "Unchained Melody", which long went unreleased. " Unchained Melody " is a popular song with music by Alex North and lyrics by Hy Zaret.

Albums

Peter Sellers made several albums, mostly of comedy pieces using his talent for voices.

The piece "Balham, Gateway to the South" spoofed the kind of promotional film sometimes made by local governments eager to attract businesses to relocate to their towns, especially those seeking an escape from crowding and high rents in London proper. For this he performed all the voices, including the American narrator, and male and female characters in vignettes.

Another piece lampooned the "critics' forum" style of arts presentation where critics of different artistic genres discuss works they have all seen, heard or read before the programme. Sellers performed the voice of the plummy-voiced host, plus a Malcolm Muggeridge-like critic, and a slightly uncultured Scot, assisted by a comedy actress who weighed in as a strident blue-stocking academic, constantly correcting the others. Thomas Malcolm Muggeridge ( Croydon, England 24 March 1903 &ndash 14 November 1990) was a British Journalist

Discography:

• The Best of Sellers (1959) UK # 3
• Songs For Swinging Sellers (1959) UK # 3
• Peter & Sophia (1960) UK # 5 with Sophia Loren
• Fool Britannia (1963) UK # 10 with Anthony Newley and Joan Collins. Sophia Loren (born September 20 1934 is an Academy Award winning Italian film actress born Sofia Villani Scicolone Anthony George Newley ( September 24, 1931 &ndash April 14, 1999) was an English Actor, Singer and Joan Henrietta Collins, OBE (born 23 May 1933) is a Golden Globe Award -winning English actress and bestselling
• How To Win An Election (1964) UK # 20 with Harry Secombe and Spike Milligan (Note: unlike The Last Goon Show Of All this release was not credited to The Goons. Sir Harry Donald Secombe, CBE ( 8 September 1921 &ndash 11 April 2001) was a Welsh Entertainer with a noted fine Terence Alan Patrick Seán Milligan KBE ( 16 April, 1918 &ndash 27 February 2002) known as Spike Milligan, was an Anglo The Goon Show was a British Radio comedy programme originally produced and broadcast by the BBC Home Service from 1951 to 1960 The Goon Show was a British Radio comedy programme originally produced and broadcast by the BBC Home Service from 1951 to 1960 )
• He's Innocent of Watergate (1974) with Spike Milligan

Further reading

• The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, Applause Books, 1997, Roger Lewis
• Mr Strangelove;A Biography of Peter Sellers, a book by Ed Sikov ^[2]
• P. Terence Alan Patrick Seán Milligan KBE ( 16 April, 1918 &ndash 27 February 2002) known as Spike Milligan, was an Anglo Roger Lewis (b 26 February 1960) a former Fellow of Wolfson College at Oxford University is the biographer of Anthony Burgess. S. I Love You by Michael Sellers 1981^[9]
• A Hard Act to Follow Michael Sellers (with Gary Morecambe, 1996). ^[10]
• Sellers on Sellers Michael Sellers (2000, co-written with Gary Morecambe)^[9]

See also

• The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004), HBO/BBC movie with Geoffrey Rush in the title role. The Life and Death of Peter Sellers is a 2004 film about the life of British comic actor Peter Sellers, based on Roger Lewis 's book Geoffrey Roy Rush (born 6 July 1951 is a Golden Globe - BAFTA - Emmy - AFI - and Academy Award -winning Australian actor

References

External links

• Peter Sellers at the Internet Movie Database
• Peter Sellers at the TCM Movie Database