Description:
Peter Graves was born Peter Duesler Aurness on March 18, 1926 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. While growing up in Minnesota, he excelled at sports and music (as a saxophonist), and by age 16, he was a radio announcer at WMIN in Minneapolis. After two years in the United States Army Air Force, he studied drama at the University of Minnesota and then headed to Hollywood, where he first appeared on television and later made his film debut in Rogue River (1951). Numerous film appearances followed, especially in Westerns. However, Graves is primarily recognized for his television work, particularly as Jim Phelps in Mission: Impossible (1966). Peter Graves died of a heart attack on March 14, 2010, just four days before his 84th birthday.
Birthday
March 18, 1926
Born In
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Height
191 cm
Spouse/Ex-
Joan Endress December 16, 1950 - March 14, 2010 (his death)
Parents
Rolf Aurness
Trivia
He said it was almost over for Captain Clarence Oveur before the movie Airplane! (1980) took flight. Graves said he was astounded when his agent sent him the script for the 1980 spoof, and after reading it he felt that it was "the worst piece of junk" he had ever seen. However, he changed his mind after meeting with the movie's writers, Jerry Zucker and David Zucker.
Quotes
Some people just stand out on the screen. Bob certainly did. [commenting on Airplane! co-star Robert Stack]
Salaries
$7,500 per episode (1969 season)
Trademarks
Grey hair and blue eyes
