Peter Copley
Biography
Peter Copley (20 May 1915 – 7 October 2008) was an English television, film and stage actor. 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. 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. In 1951 he appeared at the Duchess Theatre in London's West End in the comedy play The Happy Family by Michael Clayton Hutton. 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 (episode "Nemesis"), Lovejoy, The Bill, Cadfael, The Diamond Brothers: South by South East and One Foot in the Grave. Copley continued to act well into his nineties. A resident of Bristol, Copley was awarded an Honorary Degree of Master of Arts by the University of the West of England in 2001.
Known For
Patron
Riot at the Rite
General Friedrich Olbright
The July Plot
Howell
Quatermass and the Pit
Picture Owner
The Knack... and How to Get It
Mr. Gilbert Weaver
Just My Luck
Caesar
Androcles and the Lion
Sir Edwin Caskoden
The Sword and the Rose
Principal
Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed
Dickson
What Became of Jack and Jill?
Colonel
King and Country
Aribi
Golden Salamander
Actor in The Mystery of Hell Valley (uncredited)
The Smallest Show on Earth
Frossard
The Trial of Klaus Barbie
British Prisoner
Empire of the Sun
Vicar
King of the Ghetto
Waiter
Tell Me If It Hurts
Vicar
Don't Utter a Note
Dr. Charteris
Beyond Our Means
Maitland
A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia
Charles Wilson
Stranger in the Family
Archbishop
Tower of London: The Innocent
Walk a Crooked Path
Mystery in the Mine
Leader Mokhazenis
Saadia
Minor Role
Farewell Again
Home Secretary
Hennessy
Dining Hall Master
Oliver Twist
Dr. Warlock
Doctor Who: Pyramids of Mars
P. Shillitoe (uncredited)
The Card
Admiral Howe
Shout at the Devil
Mr. Scott
Mosquito Squadron
Sean's Father
Janice Beard 45 WPM
Leslie
The Man Without a Body
Gen. Sir John Dill
Churchill and the Generals
Pilgrim
Gawain and the Green Knight
Commissioner
United Kingdom
Brown
Foreign Intrigue
English Cardinal #1
The Shoes of the Fisherman
Dr Leo Whitset
The Third Secret
The Black Panther
Reverend Muldaur
Little Lord Fauntleroy
Jeweller
Help!
Cummings
The Hour of 13
John
Jane Eyre
Scientist
Rockets Galore
Prison Chaplain
Time Without Pity
Paul Mandrake
Victim
The Film That Never Was
Gribsby
The Importance of Being Earnest
Mr. Ritter
Peril for the Guy
1st Funeral Director
That's Your Funeral
His Excellency
The Clue of the Missing Ape
The Colonel
Rabbit Pie Day
The Home Secretary
The Devil's Eggshell
Mr. Gordon
All at Sea
School Superintendent
The Government Inspector
Tom Jarrow
The End Begins
Counsel for the Prosecution
The Investigation
Abbot Heribert
One Corpse Too Many
Abbot Heribert
The Sanctuary Sparrow
Abbot Heribert
The Leper of St. Giles
Abbot Heribert
Monk's Hood
Dr. Harrison
Witness for the Prosecution
Dr. Clarkeson
The Man Who Came to Die
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
64
Gender
Male
Birthday
1915-05-20
Place of Birth
Bushey, Hertfordshire, England, UK
Also Known As
Peter Francis Gabain Copley