Jack Perkins narrates this account of the life and career of Peter Aurness, which debuts on April 04, 1997, to mark ten years to the date of the broadcast of the first A&E "Biography" presentation, which was hosted by Peter Graves, the subject of this episode. Coincidentally, today, April 04, 2010, marks the 23rd anniversary of this historic moment.
Peter Aurness, who would become film and television star Peter Graves, is born in Minnesota, the younger brother of James Aurness, who would become actor James Arness. This highlights James and Peter's formative years, leading to Peter's interest in Music, as at the age of 15, he achieves recognition as his school presents Peter center stage in an instrumental recital.
After serving for two years in the United States Army Air Force toward the end of World War II, Peter enters the University of Minnesota, where he develops his interest in the theatre, and upon his 1949 graduation, Peter heads to Hollywood, where elder brother, James, has settled to work as an actor.
Peter decides upon adopting his grandfather's surname as his stage name in order to avoid confusion with brother, James Arness, and begins to accept roles in programmer films, which highlight his filmography of the 1950's.
But although he receives recognition for his film work, it is television which recognizes Peter's talents and propels him to lasting fame, as he stars in five series: "Fury" (1955-1960), "Whiplash" (1961), "Court Martial" (1965-1966), "Mission: Impossible" (1967-1973) and "Biography" (1987-2006).
Throughout his career, Peter Graves is recognized for his considerate and authoritative disposition, his sharp appearance, and his kindness to and recognition of those around him, as many report that they have never heard a complaint nor a negative word from him nor about him.
Peter shares his life-long marriage with Joan Endress from 1950 forward. Joan and Peter welcome three daughters, Kelly Jean, Claudia King and Amanda Lee, as well as six grandchildren.
Interview Guests for this episode consist of Peter Graves, Joan Endress Graves, Actors Mike Connors, Bobby Diamond, Martin Landau, Leonard Nimoy, Gil Stratton and Don Taylor, Directors Dan Curtis, Jack Smight, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker, and Studio Executive Herbert Solow.
Archive footage includes Peter Graves with Co-stars Gig Young, Rory Calhoun, Beverly Garland, William Holden, Bobby Diamond, Robert Wagner and others in speaking parts.
Film Clips include a screen glimpse of Peter through the years, in scenes from "Rogue River" (1951), "Killers from Space" (1954), "Stalag 17" (1953), "Beneath the 12-Mile Reef" (1953), "It Conquered the World" (1956) and "Airplane!" (1980), as well as television's "Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: Part of the Game" (1953), "Fury" (1955-1960), "Mission: Impossible" (1967-1973) and "The Dean Martin Show" (1969-1971).
Peter Aurness, who would become film and television star Peter Graves, is born in Minnesota, the younger brother of James Aurness, who would become actor James Arness. This highlights James and Peter's formative years, leading to Peter's interest in Music, as at the age of 15, he achieves recognition as his school presents Peter center stage in an instrumental recital.
After serving for two years in the United States Army Air Force toward the end of World War II, Peter enters the University of Minnesota, where he develops his interest in the theatre, and upon his 1949 graduation, Peter heads to Hollywood, where elder brother, James, has settled to work as an actor.
Peter decides upon adopting his grandfather's surname as his stage name in order to avoid confusion with brother, James Arness, and begins to accept roles in programmer films, which highlight his filmography of the 1950's.
But although he receives recognition for his film work, it is television which recognizes Peter's talents and propels him to lasting fame, as he stars in five series: "Fury" (1955-1960), "Whiplash" (1961), "Court Martial" (1965-1966), "Mission: Impossible" (1967-1973) and "Biography" (1987-2006).
Throughout his career, Peter Graves is recognized for his considerate and authoritative disposition, his sharp appearance, and his kindness to and recognition of those around him, as many report that they have never heard a complaint nor a negative word from him nor about him.
Peter shares his life-long marriage with Joan Endress from 1950 forward. Joan and Peter welcome three daughters, Kelly Jean, Claudia King and Amanda Lee, as well as six grandchildren.
Interview Guests for this episode consist of Peter Graves, Joan Endress Graves, Actors Mike Connors, Bobby Diamond, Martin Landau, Leonard Nimoy, Gil Stratton and Don Taylor, Directors Dan Curtis, Jack Smight, David Zucker and Jerry Zucker, and Studio Executive Herbert Solow.
Archive footage includes Peter Graves with Co-stars Gig Young, Rory Calhoun, Beverly Garland, William Holden, Bobby Diamond, Robert Wagner and others in speaking parts.
Film Clips include a screen glimpse of Peter through the years, in scenes from "Rogue River" (1951), "Killers from Space" (1954), "Stalag 17" (1953), "Beneath the 12-Mile Reef" (1953), "It Conquered the World" (1956) and "Airplane!" (1980), as well as television's "Schlitz Playhouse of Stars: Part of the Game" (1953), "Fury" (1955-1960), "Mission: Impossible" (1967-1973) and "The Dean Martin Show" (1969-1971).
