Peter Copley

Peter Copley (20 May 1915 – 7 October 2008) was an English television, film and stage actor.[1][2]

For the British composer, see Peter Copley (composer). For the Australian ecologist, see Peter Copley (ecologist).

Peter Copley
Copley in Help! (1965)
Born
Peter Francis Gabain Copley

20 May 1915
Bushey, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom
Died7 October 2008(2008-10-07) (aged 93)
Bristol, England, United Kingdom
Years active1934–2008
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1941; div. 1953)​
    Ninka Dolega
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1953, divorced)​
      Margaret Tabor
      ​
      (m. 1967)​
      Children1

      Biography

      Copley was born in Bushey, Hertfordshire, son of the printmakers, John Copley and Ethel Gabain.

      After changing his mind about joining the Royal Navy, he studied at the Old Vic School and started out as a stage actor in 1932.[3] He made his first film appearance in 1934, going on to play a wide variety of characters from the villainous to the meek and mild. In 1946, he appeared on stage in "Cyrano de Bergerac" at the New Theatre in London.[4]

      TV credits include: Thorndyke, Danger Man, The Saint, The Avengers, The Forsyte Saga, The Troubleshooters, The Champions, Department S, Doomwatch, Z-Cars, Fall of Eagles, Survivors, Bless Me, Father (episode "A Legend Comes to Stay"), Father Brown (episode "The Curse of the Golden Cross"), Doctor Who (in the serial "Pyramids of Mars"), Sutherland's Law, Tales of the Unexpected, Miss Marple, Lovejoy, The Bill, Cadfael and One Foot in the Grave.[5][6]

      Copley continued to act well into his nineties.[7]

      A resident of Bristol, Copley was awarded an Honorary Degree of Master of Arts by the University of the West of England in 2001.[8]

      Filmography
      Year Title[9] Role Notes
      1937 Farewell Again Minor Role Uncredited
      1950 Golden Salamander Aribi
      The Elusive Pimpernel Tailor Uncredited
      1952 The Promoter Shillitoe Uncredited
      The Hour of 13 Cummings
      1953 The Sword and the Rose Sir Edwin Caskoden
      The Clue of the Missing Ape His Excellency Uncredited
      Saadia Leader Mokhazenis
      1955 The Woman for Joe Mr. Worthington Uncredited
      1956 Foreign Intrigue Brown
      Peril for the Guy Ritter
      1957 Time Without Pity Prison Chaplain
      The Smallest Show on Earth Hank in 'The Mystery of Hell Valley' Uncredited
      The Man Without a Body Leslie
      Just My Luck Gilbert Weaver
      1958 A Tale of Two Cities Mellor Uncredited
      The Strange World of Planet X News Editor Uncredited
      Rockets Galore! Scientist Uncredited
      1959 The Mystery in the Mine Tom Abbott
      1960 Follow That Horse! Garrod
      1961 Victim Paul Mandrake
      1964 The Third Secret Dr. Leo Whitset
      King & Country Colonel
      1965 The Knack …and How to Get It Picture Owner
      Help! Jeweller
      1967 The Jokers Defence Lawyer Uncredited
      Quatermass and the Pit Howell
      1968 The Shoes of the Fisherman English Cardinal
      1969 Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed Principal
      Mosquito Squadron Mr. Scott
      Walk a Crooked Path Dr. Oberon
      1970 Jane Eyre John TV movie
      All at Sea Mr. Gordon
      1972 What Became of Jack and Jill? Dickson
      That's Your Funeral 1st Funeral Director
      1973 Gawain and the Green Knight Pilgrim
      1975 Hennessy Home Secretary
      Doctor Who Doctor Warlock Episode: "Pyramids of Mars"
      Survivors Dr George Bronson, Deaf School Teacher Episode: "The Fourth Horseman"
      1976 Shout at the Devil Admiral Howe
      Peer Gynt
      1977 The Black Panther
      1978 The Famous Five Mr Finniston Episode: "Five on Finniston Farm"
      1980 Little Lord Fauntleroy Rev. Muldaur
      1982 Witness for the Prosecution Dr. Harrison TV movie
      1983 The Forgotten Story Mr. Cowdray 1 episode
      1987 Empire of the Sun British Prisoner #10
      1992 A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia Maitland TV movie
      1994 Second Best Percy
      Cadfael Abbot (later Brother) Heribert 4 episodes
      1999 Janice Beard 45 WPM Sean's Father
      2005 Kingdom of Heaven Old Pilgram (director's cut)
      Oliver Twist Dining Hall Master

      References
      1. "Peter Copley". Archived from the original on 9 December 2017.
      2. "Peter Copley - Theatricalia". theatricalia.com.
      3. Unwin, Paul (10 October 2008). "Obituary: Peter Copley". The Guardian.
      4. "Production of Cyrano de Bergerac - Theatricalia". theatricalia.com.
      5. Tribute Archived 11 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine
      6. "Peter Copley". aveleyman.com.
      7. "Peter Copley".
      8. Hayward, Anthony (29 December 2008). "Peter Copley: Prolific character actor whose career lasted more than 70 years". The Independent. Archived from the original on 30 December 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
      9. Scott, A. O. (25 September 2006). "Peter Copley". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 September 2006.
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