Birth name:Richard Henry Sellers Birth:8 September 1925 Died:24 July 1980 Nationality:
Career / Biography
Peter Sellers was one of Britain's great comic geniuses. He is probably best remembered for his role as Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther films and as one of the Goons in the radio programme. He was in the RAF during World War 2 where he joined ENSA, to entertain the troops. He was keen to work on radio and got smal parts. At this time he met Michael Bentine, Harry Seacome and Spike Milligan who became the Goons and had a major impact at the time on British comedy. His first film role was Penny Points To Paradise as the Goons made a first move from radio to film. His first major film role was in The Ladykillers. In the Smallerst Show On Earth we see him taking on a character role and becomes that character. His first lead role is in Up The Creek. In The Mouse That Roared he plays three very different characters. I'm All Right Jack was the most popular film in Britain in 1959 and one of his best performances. In The Millionairess he plays opposite the glamorous Sophia Loren. In 1962 he appeared in Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Lolita.
In 1963 he starred in The Pink Panther and created the Inspector Jacques Clouseau. This character was entirely Peter Sellers creation, the voice, the clothes and the mannerisms. His second film with Stanley Kubrick was Dr Strangelove and probably the best of his acting performances when he was at the height of his career. He plays three very differnt chacters in this film. The Party in 1968 was another collaboration with Blake Edwards. At this stage of his career he had gained a reputation for being difficult to work with and for having a big ego. One of the highlights of this period is There's A Girl IN My Soup with Goldie Hawn. The Return Of The Pink Panther helped revivie his career. Being There was his last major film role.
He was married four times none of which were particularly happy or successful including to Britt Ekland during the 1960's and finally to Lynne Frederick.
