Farewell Peter Graves

I was watching "Men in Black II" on Sunday and wondered if Peter Graves was still with us. Best remembered as the leader of the original "Mission Impossible" team on TV, the pilot in Airplane I and II he could play evil as well as comic, weak as well as strong. Graves career spanned film, television and stage, with a stellar often made fun of track record as a narrator and voice over artists. His sense of humor allowed him to lampoon himself and the characters he created. A midwestern from Minneapolis, he left a widow of 60 years, Joan Endress.

Findagrave.com provides the following biography:

Actor. Born Peter Aurness, he participated in athletics and was an accomplished musician before beginning his career as a radio announcer, where he utilized his robust speaking voice. After studying drama at the University of Minnesota, he followed his older brother James Arness into the entertainment industry, when he broke into films with his motion picture debut in "Rogue River" (1951). Throughout the 1950s, he appeared in routine movies and had a memorable role as 'Price' the German informer in the picture "Stalag 17" (1953). The decade also saw Graves appear on the small screen, with a featured role in the series "Fury" (1955 to 1960), as well as guest performances in other programs. It would be the role of 'Jim Phelphs' on the popular series "Mission: Impossible" (1967 to 1973), for which TV audiences would most identify him with. A later generation would fondly remember him for his comical performance in the movie "Airplane!" (1980), its sequel in 1982, and for his narration work in the "Biography" series with the Arts and Entertainment Network. He remained busy in a large range of TV and film roles from the 1970s until his death, including "The Winds of War" (1983), and an updated version of "Mission: Impossible" (1988 to 1990), repeating his character from the original series. He died from natural causes. (bio by: C.S.) 


From SAGWATCH:

MISSION ENDS

Posted on March 14, 2010, 5:38 PM, by WW, under We Remember.

Peter Graves started his career in the 1940s doing what was then known as extra work – now background. He had worked continuously ever since. He was 83, and was found today at his home in Pacific Palisades. His publicist says Graves apparently suffered a heart attack.