Performer's Film Television & Media Appearances
Date of Birth 26 May 1913, Kenley, Surrey [now in Croydon, London], England, UK
Date of Death 11 August 1994, Canterbury, Kent, England, UK (prostate cancer)
Birth Name Peter Wilton Cushing
Height 5' 11½" (1.82 m)
Mini Bio (1)
Peter Wilton Cushing was born on May 26, 1913 in Kenley, Surrey, England, to Nellie Maria (King) and George Edward Cushing, a quantity surveyor. He and his older brother David were raised first in Dulwich Village, a south London suburb, and then later back in Surrey. At an early age, Cushing was attracted to acting, inspired by his favorite aunt, who was a stage actress. While at school, Cushing pursued his acting interest in acting and also drawing, a talent he put to good use later in his first job as a government surveyor's assistant in Surrey. At this time, he also dabbled in local amateur theater until moving to London to attend the Guildhall School of Music and Drama on scholarship. He then performed in repertory theater, deciding in 1939 to head for Hollywood, where he made his film debut in The Man in the Iron Mask (1939). Other Hollywood films included A Chump at Oxford (1940) with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, Vigil in the Night (1940) and They Dare Not Love (1941). However, after a short stay, he returned to England by way of New York (making brief appearances on Broadway) and Canada. Back in his homeland, he contributed to the war effort during World War II by joining the Entertainment National Services Association.
After the war, he performed in the West End and had his big break appearing with Laurence Olivier in Hamlet (1948), in which Cushing's future partner-in-horror Christopher Lee had a bit part. Both actors also appeared in Moulin Rouge (1952) but did not meet until their later horror films. During the 1950s, Cushing became a familiar face on British television, appearing in numerous teleplays, such as 1984 (1954) and Beau Brummell (1954), until the end of the decade when he began his legendary association with Hammer Film Productions in its remakes of the 1930s Universal horror classics. His first Hammer roles included Dr. Frankenstein in The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), Dr. Van Helsing in Horror of Dracula (1958), and Sherlock Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959).
Cushing continued playing the roles of Drs. Frankenstein and Van Helsing, as well as taking on other horror characters, in Hammer films over the next 20 years. He also appeared in films for the other major horror producer of the time, Amicus Productions, including Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1965) and its later horror anthologies, a couple of Dr. Who films (1965, 1966), I, Monster (1971), and others. By the mid-1970s, these companies had stopped production, but Cushing, firmly established as a horror star, continued in the genre for some time thereafter.
Perhaps his best-known appearance outside of horror films was as Grand Moff Tarkin in George Lucas' phenomenally successful science fiction film Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977). Biggles: Adventures in Time (1986) was Cushing's last film before his retirement, during which he made a few television appearances, wrote two autobiographies and pursued his hobbies of bird watching and painting. In 1989, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his contributions to the acting profession in Britain and worldwide. Peter Cushing died at age 81 of prostate cancer on August 11, 1994.
- IMDb Mini Biography By: Lyn Hammond
Spouse (1)
Violet Helene Beck (10 April 1943 - 14 January 1971) (her death)
Trade Mark (5)
Chilly but mellifluous voice, often used to menacing effect
Often appeared with his good friend Christopher Lee
Many roles in Hammer Horror films
Prominent cheekbones and piercing blue eyes
Thin frame
Trivia (48)
Turned down Donald Pleasence's role as Dr. Sam Loomis in Halloween (1978).
Considered The Blood Beast Terror (1968) to be the worst film he ever made.
The costume boots they gave Cushing for Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) were too small and hurt his feet. Cushing told George Lucas this, and asked if he could wear slippers instead. Lucas agreed, and shot Cushing from the waist up for nearly all his scenes to compensate for Cushing's slippers.
He was an artist, skilled in drawing and painting; as a young struggling actor, he supplemented his income by selling scarves that he hand-painted and later, as an established actor, had showings of his water colors.
Withdrew from the film Blood from the Mummy's Tomb (1971) due to the death of his wife. His role was assumed by Andrew Keir.
Was guest of honor at the Famous Monsters of Filmland Convention in New York City in 1975. After receiving a thunderous ovation from those in attendance, he looked at everyone and said, "Have you ever felt unloved?"
His sketch of Sherlock Holmes became the official logo for the Northern Musgraves, a British Sherlock Holmes society.
He was preferred to original Doctor Who (1963) lead actor William Hartnell as star of Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965) because he was more widely recognized by American audiences.
During a television interview, he confessed that fellow actor Christopher Lee had telephoned him earlier that evening to "Wish me luck!".
Was good friends with Christopher Lee. After he died, Lee said in an interview that he never felt closer and more open to any of his other friends than he felt to Peter.
Carrie Fisher said in an interview that doing her scenes with him in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) were difficult for two reasons: she thought the lines were ridiculous and she found Peter to be so polite and charming off camera that it was hard to project the sense of disdain that her character, Princess Leia Organa, held for his character, Grand Moff Tarkin.
George Lucas originally planned to use archival footage of Cushing from Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) for insertion into Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005). This would have made Episode III Cushing's final, albeit posthumous, collaboration with Christopher Lee. However, none of the footage was suitable to Lucas' needs. This may be because Grand Moff Tarkin only appears in long shots, due to the pain associated with wearing the boots Cushing was wearing. Therefore, Wayne Pygram was cast, and made to wear prosthetic make-up so that he would resemble Cushing. It was not until Rogue One (2016) that archive footage of Cushing could be digitally used to recreate an entire performance of his Tarkin character.
Prior to casting Cushing as Grand Moff Tarkin in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977), George Lucas considered using him as Obi-Wan Kenobi (a role that ultimately went to Alec Guinness).
In his later years, he and Joyce DeWitt of Three's Company (1976) fame became transatlantic pen pals, when the two became part of the voice-over ensemble for the animated film Walpurgis Night. Peter recorded his role in England, while Joyce later commenced recording in California, alongside his old friend Ferdy Mayne. It was during this time that Joyce, being a fan of both classic films and Shakespeare's works, and Peter, an admirer of the American West, enjoyed their friendship by post.
Described by many presenters as the best interviewee they had.
Wrote to BBC program Jim'll Fix It (1975) asking that a new rose be bred and named after his late wife. Jimmy Savile agreed and the process was filmed ending with the creation of a new strain of yellow rose being presented to Peter.
Cushing reprised his role, with dialog, from his last film Biggles: Adventures in Time (1986) in the video for the movie's theme song "No Turning Back" by The Immortals. He appears at the end to tell the camera: "I'm a restless sort of guy." Technically, this makes it his last performance and his last line of dialog.
Had appeared as Osric in Hamlet (1948). This was also his first film with Christopher Lee. Alec Guinness also played Osric in John Gielgud's 1934 theatrical production. Cushing, Lee and Guinness all later appeared in the Star Wars films.
Only one of the main characters from Star Wars not to appear in the sequels (for the obvious reason).
He was so ubiquitous on live television in Britain in the early 1950s that one popular comedian joked: "You know what television is, don't you? It's Peter Cushing with knobs.".
He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1989 Queen's New Year Honours List for his services to drama.
Originally cast as Dr. Vesalius in The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971), but declined as his wife was in poor health at the time.
He bought a seafront home in 1959 in Whitstable, Kent, England upon retiring. There is a pub there today dedicated to his memory, "The Peter Cushing".
He and Christopher Lee appeared together in two films outside of the Hammer Studio Horror genre: their first film together was Hamlet (1948), and they appeared together in Moulin Rouge (1952). They later went to appear in separate films in the Star Wars series: Cushing in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977), and Lee in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005). They would also appear separately in adaptations of Alexandre Dumas pere's Musketeer novels: Cushing appeared in The Man in the Iron Mask (1939), while Lee appeared in The Three Musketeers (1973), The Four Musketeers: Milady's Revenge (1974) and The Return of the Musketeers (1989).
Although he and Christopher Lee were often mortal enemies on-screen, off-screen they were inseparable friends.
In 1945 with no money for presents, he found a large piece of silk, cut it into a neat square, painted Dickens characters on it and gave it to his wife as a present. She later loaned it to a friend who wore it to a party where it was seen by a textile manufacturer who gave Peter a contract as a silk scarf designer. Amongst those he designed were those for the Festival of Britain and the Coronation.
He made seven films with Michael Ripper: The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958), The Mummy (1959), The Brides of Dracula (1960), Torture Garden (1967), The Creeping Flesh (1973) and Legend of the Werewolf (1975).
Along with Arnold Marlé and Wolfe Morris, he was one of only three actors to reprise their roles from BBC Sunday-Night Theatre: The Creature (1955) in the film remake The Abominable Snowman (1957).
He appeared in 13 films directed by Terence Fisher: The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), Horror of Dracula (1958), The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958), The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959), The Mummy (1959), The Brides of Dracula (1960), Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960), The Gorgon (1964), Island of Terror (1966), Frankenstein Created Woman (1967), Island of the Burning Damned (1967), Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969) and Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974).
He made five films with Miles Malleson: Horror of Dracula (1958), The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959), The Brides of Dracula (1960), The Hellfire Club (1961) and Fury at Smugglers' Bay (1961).
Brother-in-law of Reginald Beck.
He was considered for the role of Dr. Hans Fallanda, Sir Percy Heseltine and Dr. Armstrong in Lifeforce (1985).
He made four films with Michael Gough: Horror of Dracula (1958), Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1965), The Skull (1965) and Top Secret! (1984). The last film is the only one of the four in which Christopher Lee did not also appear.
Whitstable based British band The Jellybottys has written a song about him, with lyrics about him living in Whitstable, riding on his bicycle and buying vegetables. The song is called: Peter Cushing lives in Whitstable.
He made four films with Patrick Troughton: Hamlet (1948), The Black Knight (1954), The Gorgon (1964) and Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974). Of the four films, The Black Knight (1954) is the only one in which Christopher Lee did not also appear.
He appeared in a total of 24 films with his close friend Christopher Lee: Hamlet (1948), Moulin Rouge (1952), Alexander the Great (1956), The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), Horror of Dracula (1958), The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959), The Mummy (1959), The Devil's Agent (1962), The Gorgon (1964), Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1965), She (1965), The Skull (1965), Island of the Burning Damned (1967), Scream and Scream Again (1970), One More Time (1970), The House That Dripped Blood (1971), I, Monster (1971), Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972), Horror Express (1972), Nothing But the Night (1973), The Creeping Flesh (1973), The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973), Arabian Adventure (1979) and House of the Long Shadows (1983).
He had three roles in common with his Hamlet (1948) co-star Laurence Olivier: (1) Olivier played Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice (1940) while Cushing played him in Pride and Prejudice (1952), (2) Cushing played Rudolf Hess in You Are There: The Escape of Rudolf Hess (1953) while Olivier played him in Wild Geese II (1985) and (3) Cushing played Professor Van Helsing in Horror of Dracula (1958), The Brides of Dracula (1960), Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972), The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973) and The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974) while Olivier played him in Dracula (1979).
He has two roles in common with Christopher Plummer: (1) Cushing played Sherlock Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959), Sherlock Holmes (1964) and Sherlock Holmes and the Masks of Death (1984) while Plummer played him in The Sunday Drama: Silver Blaze (1977) and Murder by Decree (1979) and (2) Cushing played Professor Van Helsing in Horror of Dracula (1958), The Brides of Dracula (1960), Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972), The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973) and The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974) while Plummer played him in Dracula 2000 (2000).
He has two roles in common with Tom Baker: (1) Cushing played Sherlock Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959), Sherlock Holmes (1964) and Sherlock Holmes and the Masks of Death (1984) while Baker played him in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1982) and (2) Baker played the Doctor in Doctor Who (1963) while Cushing played him in Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965) and Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. (1966).
Both he and his Asylum (1972) and And Now the Screaming Starts! (1973) co-star Herbert Lom played Professor Van Helsing in films starring Christopher Lee as Count Dracula: Cushing in Horror of Dracula (1958), Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972) and The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973) and Lom in Count Dracula (1970). Cushing also played the role in The Brides of Dracula (1960) and The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974), in which Lee did not appear.
He has two roles in common with both Dennis Price and Mel Brooks: (1) Cushing played Victor Frankenstein in The Curse of Frankenstein (1957). The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958), The Evil of Frankenstein (1964), Frankenstein Created Woman (1967), Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969), One More Time (1970) and Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974), Price played him in Dracula, Prisoner of Frankenstein (1972) and The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein (1973) and Brooks played him in Young Frankenstein (1974) and (2) Cushing played Professor Van Helsing in Horror of Dracula (1958), The Brides of Dracula (1960), Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972), The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973) and The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974), Price played him in Son of Dracula (1974) and Brooks played him in Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995).
Was an ardent vegetarian for most of his life and was the patron of the Vegetarian Society from 1987 until his death.
After retiring from acting, he wrote and illustrated a children's book of Lewis Carroll-style humor, The Bois Saga.
He played Sherlock Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959), Sherlock Holmes (1964) and Sherlock Holmes and the Masks of Death (1984) and his creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in The Great Houdini (1976).
He has two roles in common with Nigel Davenport, Frank Finlay and David Warner: (1) Cushing played Professor Van Helsing in Horror of Dracula (1958), The Brides of Dracula (1960), Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972), The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973) and The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974), Davenport played him in Dracula (1974), Finlay played him in Count Dracula (1977) and Warner played him in Penny Dreadful (2014) and (2) Davenport played Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in The Edwardians: Conan Doyle (1972), Cushing played him in The Great Houdini (1976), Finlay played him in The Other Side (1992) and Warner played him in Houdini (1998).
He died only four days after his Torture Garden (1967) and Tales from the Crypt (1972) co-star Robert Hutton.
Appeared in three films nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture: Hamlet (1948), Moulin Rouge (1952) and Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977). Hamlet won Best Picture.
In addition to starring in Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965) and Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. (1966), he was considered for many guest roles in Doctor Who (1963) - Solon in "The Brain of Morbius", General Grugger in "Meglos", Borusa in "Arc of Infinity", Azmael in "The Twin Dilemma", Lord Ravensworth in "The Mark of the Rani", Dastari in "The Two Doctors" and De Flores in "Silver Nemesis". He was also considered for Borusa in Doctor Who (1996) before the character was removed from the script.
Personal Quotes (25)
Who wants to see me as Hamlet? Very few. But millions want to see me as Frankenstein so that's the one I do.
If I played Hamlet, they'd call it a horror film.
Teeth are a vitally important part of an actor's equipment. I have over 30 toothbrushes at home and always keep a good supply at the studio.
I hate the word 'hate'.
[on the wig he had to wear for Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974)] It made me look like Helen Hayes.
"You have to have a sense of humour, darling, to be alive. Even a bit mad. It helps to be mad." - (1991)
"People look at me as if I were some sort of monster, but I can't think why. In my macabre pictures, I have either been a monster-maker or a monster-destroyer, but never a monster. Actually, I'm a gentle fellow. Never harmed a fly. I love animals, and when I'm in the country I'm a keen bird-watcher." - ABC Film Review (Nov 1964)
There is little chance for a person to exercise the imagination today in this complex, programmed society we have.
Since Helen passed on I can't find anything; the heart, quite simply, has gone out of everything. Time is interminable, the loneliness is almost unbearable and the only thing that keeps me going is the knowledge that my dear Helen and I will be united again some day. To join Helen is my only ambition. You have my permission to publish that... really, you know dear boy, it's all just killing time. Please say that. - Radio Times 1972
"You cannot make a film like this without integrity. To make the audiences believe in you, you must believe utterly in what you are doing." - (1972)
My criterion for accepting a role isn't based on what I would like to do. I try to consider what the audience would like to see me do and I thought kids would adore Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977).
"Strangely enough, I don't like horror pictures at all. I love to make them because they give pleasure to people, but my favourite types of films are much more subtle than horror. I like to watch films like The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), The Apartment (1960) or lovely musicals." - (1980s)
As far back as I can remember, I had a passion for 'dressing up' and playing games of 'Let's Pretend', which are, of course, the basic principals of acting, and if you are lucky enough, you get paid for so doing, hard work though it may be.
When Helen passed on six years ago I lost the only joy in life that I ever wanted. She was my whole life and without her there is no meaning. I am simply killing time, so to speak, until that wonderful day when we are together again.
Television is rather a frightening business. But I get all the relaxation I want from my collection of model soldiers.
There are all sorts of reasons why I don't do much work in the theater, the main one being that after two performances I feel I've given all I can. I hate repetition, I really do. It's like asking a painter to paint he same picture every day of his life.
In the early days I played a lot of comedy in the theater and on television. But once an actor becomes well known in any kind of part, he tends to get stereotyped. After I played Frankenstein, I was only thought of in that light. Of course, some actors are better at drama and some are better at comedy. But they can certainly have a stab at both. An actor should be able to do it all.
"It gives me the most wonderful feeling. These dear people love me so much and want to see me. The astonishing thing is that when I made the Frankenstein and Dracula movies almost 30 years ago the young audiences who see me now weren't even born yet. A new generation has grown up with my films. And the original audiences are still able to see me in new pictures. So, as long as these films are made I will have a life in this business -- for which I'm eternally grateful." (from a 1985 "Starlog" interview)
An actor's job is to entertain and I'm glad to say that my films succeeded in that respect.
[on Vincent Price] A dear, charming man with a great sense of humor. Strictly a professional, who cares far more about his work than he allows the public to know. I am extremely fond of him and bask in his gentle kindness and warmth.
Every part is approached in the same manner - gleaning all I can from what the author has written. When called for, I add reaction to any given circumstance such as I've witnessed and observed in others through life, applying the emotion in terms of the character as opposed to the way I might react personally.
[advice to Simon Ward, who was delivering his lines at an urgent pace] Now you know, dear boy, that at the end of every line leave a very tiny gap so they can get the scissors in.
[on The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)] No-one had any idea it would be successful. It took the world by storm. The whole thing only cost 65,000 pounds. You wouldn't be able to get a lead actor for that today.
If I feel I can't put out 100 percent, it's not really fair to anyone who's come to watch for me to go on creaking around. You need such energy. I love it, mind you. But you've got to be like athlete Zola Budd to work, which I'm not.
We had Dracula among the kung fu in Hong Kong. It was called The Something of the Seven Golden Dragons, Dracula and The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974). But I still had to drive a stake through Dracula's heart ... Once you've done Frankenstein, who creates the impossible, and Dracula, a man who drinks blood ... you've got to keep it on. It's awfully difficult to bring the changes up to date. They tried to keep it up to date with Steven Spielberg's Young Sherlock Holmes (1985), but it missed the atmosphere of the period.
Salary (1)
Shock Waves (1977) $5,000
Personal Details
Other Works: Stage: Appeared in "The Sound of Murder" (as "Charles Norbury") London West End See more »
Publicity Listings: 1 Biographical Movie | 11 Print Biographies | 3 Interviews | 10 Articles | 1 Pictorial | 10 Magazine Cover Photos | See more »
Official Sites: Galleries, Features celebrating the life and career. Founded 1956 | Peter Cushing Museum & Association
Height: 5' 11½" (1.82 m)
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Did You Know?
Personal Quote: Since Helen passed on I can't find anything; the heart, quite simply, has gone out of everything. Time is interminable, the loneliness is almost unbearable and the only thing that keeps me going is the knowledge that my dear Helen and I will be united again some day. To join Helen is my only ambition. You have my permission to publish that... really, you know dear boy, it's all just killing time.... See more »
Trivia: Cushing reprised his role, with dialog, from his last film Biggles: Adventures in Time (1986) in the video for the movie's theme song "No Turning Back" by The Immortals. He appears at the end to tell the camera: "I'm a restless sort of guy." Technically, this makes it his last performance and his last line of dialog. See more »
Trademark: Prominent cheekbones and piercing blue eyes See more »
Star Sign: Gemini
Actor (131 credits)
1986 Biggles: Adventures in Time
Air Commodore Colonel William Raymond
1984 Sherlock Holmes and the Masks of Death (TV Movie)
Sherlock Holmes
1984 Sword of the Valiant: The Legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Seneschal - Gaspar
1984 Top Secret!
Bookstore Proprietor
1984 Helen Keller: The Miracle Continues (TV Movie)
Professor Charles Copeland
1983 Tales of the Unexpected (TV Series)
Von Baden
- The Vorpal Blade (1983) ... Von Baden
1983 House of the Long Shadows
Sebastian Grisbane
1981 Black Jack
Sir Thomas Bedford
1981 Mystery on Monster Island
William T. Kolderup
1980 A Tale of Two Cities (TV Movie)
Dr. Alexander Manette
1980 Hammer House of Horror (TV Series)
Martin Blueck
- The Silent Scream (1980) ... Martin Blueck
1979 A Touch of the Sun
Commissioner Potts
1979 Arabian Adventure
Wazir Al Wuzara
1979 Son of Hitler
Heinrich Haussner
1977 The Uncanny
Wilbur
1977 Shock Waves
SS Commander
1977 Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Grand Moff Tarkin
1977 The Standard
Baron von Hackenberg
1976 The Great Houdini (TV Movie)
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
1976 The New Avengers (TV Series)
Von Claus
- The Eagle's Nest (1976) ... Von Claus
1976 Land of the Minotaur
Baron Corofax
1976 At the Earth's Core
Dr. Abner Perry
1976 A Dirty Knight's Work
Sir Edward Gifford
1976 Space: 1999 (TV Series)
Raan
- Missing Link (1976) ... Raan
1975 The Ghoul
Doctor Lawrence
1975 Legend of the Werewolf
Professor Paul
1974 Tender Dracula, or Confessions of a Blood Drinker
MacGregor
1974 The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires
Professor Van Helsing
1974 Madhouse
Herbert Flay
1974 The Zoo Gang (TV Series)
Judge Gautier
- The Counterfeit Trap (1974) ... Judge Gautier
1974 The Beast Must Die
Dr. Lundgren
1974 Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell
Baron Frankenstein
1974 From Beyond the Grave
The Proprietor
1974 Shatter
Rattwood
1973 The Satanic Rites of Dracula
Van Helsing
1973 Great Mysteries (TV Series)
Count Gerard De Merret
- La Grande Breteche (1973) ... Count Gerard De Merret
1973 And Now the Screaming Starts!
Dr. Pope
1973 The Creeping Flesh
Emmanuel Hildern
1973 Nothing But the Night
Sir Mark Ashley
1972 Horror Express
Dr. Wells
1972 Fear in the Night
The Headmaster - Michael Carmichael
1972/I Asylum
Smith (segment: "The Weird Tailor")
1972 Dr. Phibes Rises Again
Captain
1972 Dracula A.D. 1972
Professor Van Helsing
1972 Beyond the Water's Edge (TV Movie)
1972 Tales from the Crypt
Arthur Edward Grimsdyke (segment 3 "Poetic Justice")
1971 I, Monster
Utterson
1971 Twins of Evil
Gustav Weil
1971 The House That Dripped Blood
Philip Grayson (segment 2 "Waxworks")
1970 The Vampire Lovers
General von Spielsdorf
1970 One More Time
Dr. Frankenstein (uncredited)
1970 Incense for the Damned
Dr. Walter Goodrich
1970 Scream and Scream Again
Major Heinrich Benedek
1969 Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed
Baron Frankenstein
1968 Sherlock Holmes (TV Series)
Sherlock Holmes
- The Blue Carbuncle (1968) ... Sherlock Holmes
- The Sign of Four (1968) ... Sherlock Holmes
- The Solitary Cyclist (1968) ... Sherlock Holmes
- Shoscombe Old Place (1968) ... Sherlock Holmes
- Wisteria Lodge (1968) ... Sherlock Holmes
Show all 16 episodes
1968 Corruption
Sir John Rowan
1968 The Blood Beast Terror
Inspector Quennell
1967 Torture Garden
Lancelot Canning (segment 4 "The Man Who Collected Poe")
1967 The Avengers (TV Series)
Paul Beresford
- Return of the Cybernauts (1967) ... Paul Beresford
1967 Some May Live
John Meredith
1967 Island of the Burning Damned
Dr. Vernon Stone
1967 Frankenstein Created Woman
Baron Frankenstein
1966 Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.
Dr. Who
1966 Island of Terror
Dr. Brian Stanley
1965 Thirty-Minute Theatre (TV Series)
Leonard
- Monica (1965) ... Leonard
1965 The Skull
Christopher Maitland
1965 Dr. Who and the Daleks
'Dr. Who' / Dr. Who
1965/I She
Maj. Holly
1965 Dr. Terror's House of Horrors
Dr. Terror
1964 The Gorgon
Dr. Namaroff
1964 Story Parade (TV Series)
Elijah Baley
- The Caves of Steel (1964) ... Elijah Baley
1964 The Evil of Frankenstein
Baron Frankenstein
1963 The Man Who Finally Died
Dr. Peter von Brecht
1963 Comedy Playhouse (TV Series)
Albert Fawkes
- The Plan (1963) ... Albert Fawkes
1963 The Spread of the Eagle (TV Mini-Series)
Caius Cassius
- The Revenge: Julius Caesar Acts 4 and 5 (1963) ... Caius Cassius
- The Fifteenth: Julius Caesar Acts 2, 3 and 4 (1963) ... Caius Cassius
- The Colossus: Julius Caesar Acts 1 and 2 (1963) ... Caius Cassius
1962 ITV Television Playhouse (TV Series)
Fred Parsons
- Peace with Terror (1962) ... Fred Parsons
1962 The Devil's Agent (scenes deleted)
1962 Night Creatures
Rev. Dr. Blyss
1962 Drama 61-67 (TV Series)
Frederick James Parsons
- Drama '62: Peace with Terror (1962) ... Frederick James Parsons
1961 Cash on Demand
Harry Fordyce
1961 The Naked Edge
Mr. Evan Wrack
1961 Fury at Smugglers' Bay
Squire Trevenyan
1961 The Hellfire Club
Mr. Merryweather
1960 Sword of Sherwood Forest
Sheriff of Nottingham
1960 The Risk
Professor Sewell
1960 The Brides of Dracula
Doctor Van Helsing
1960 Trouble in the Sky
Capt. Clive Judd
1960 The Flesh and the Fiends
Dr. Robert Knox
1959 The Mummy
John Banning
1959 John Paul Jones
Capt. Richard Pearson
1959 The Hound of the Baskervilles
Sherlock Holmes
1958 The Revenge of Frankenstein
Doctor Victor Stein
1958 Horror of Dracula
Doctor Van Helsing
1958 Uncle Harry (TV Movie)
Uncle Harry
1958 The Winslow Boy (TV Movie)
Sir Robert Morton
1958 Violent Playground
Priest- Father Laidlaw
1957 The Abominable Snowman
Dr. Rollason
1957 Home at Seven (TV Movie)
David Preston
1957 The Curse of Frankenstein
Victor Frankenstein
1957 Time Without Pity
Jeremy Clayton
1951-1957 BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (TV Series)
Mr. Manningham / David Preston / The Prime Minister / ...
- Gaslight (1957) ... Mr. Manningham
- Home at Seven (1956) ... David Preston
- The Moment of Truth (1955) ... The Prime Minister
- The Creature (1955) ... Dr. John Rollason
- Nineteen Eighty-Four (1954) ... Winston Smith
Show all 13 episodes
1956 Alexander the Great
General Memnon
1955 Richard of Bordeaux (TV Movie)
Richard II
1955 The Browning Version (TV Movie)
Andrew Crocker-Harris
1955 Magic Fire
Otto Wesendonk
1955 The End of the Affair
Henry Miles
1954 The Face of Love (TV Movie)
Mardian Thersites
1954 The Black Knight
Sir Palamides
1953 The Noble Spaniard (TV Movie)
Duke of Hermanos
1953 You Are There (TV Series)
Rudolf Hess
- The Escape of Rudolf Hess (1953) ... Rudolf Hess
1953 Rookery Nook (TV Movie)
Clive Popkiss
1953 Wednesday Theatre (TV Series)
Henry Robbins
- A Social Success (1953) ... Henry Robbins
1953 Epitaph for a Spy (TV Mini-Series)
Josef Vadassey
- Epitaph (1953) ... Josef Vadassey
- All Men Are Liars (1953) ... Josef Vadassey
- Ultimatum (1953) ... Josef Vadassey
- Violence (1953) ... Josef Vadassey
- Go Spy the Land (1953) ... Josef Vadassey
Show all 6 episodes
1952 The Silver Swan (TV Series)
Lord Henriques
- Francis (1952) ... Lord Henriques
1952 Moulin Rouge
Marcel de la Voisier
1952 Asmodée (TV Movie)
Blaise Lebel
1952 If This Be Error (TV Movie)
Nick Grant
1952 Pride and Prejudice (TV Mini-Series)
Mr. Darcy
- Episode #1.6 (1952) ... Mr. Darcy
- Episode #1.5 (1952) ... Mr. Darcy
- Episode #1.4 (1952) ... Mr. Darcy
- Episode #1.3 (1952) ... Mr. Darcy
- Episode #1.2 (1952) ... Mr. Darcy
Show all 6 episodes
1951 When We Are Married (TV Movie)
Gerald Forbes
1948 Hamlet
Servants To The Court - Osric
1946 It Might Be You (Short)
The doctor
1944 The New School (Short)
Stephen
1941 They Dare Not Love
Sub-Lieutenant Blackler (uncredited)
1940 Dreams (Short)
First Dreamer
1940 The Howards of Virginia
Leslie Stephens (uncredited)
1940 Women in War
Capt. Evans (uncredited)
1940 The Hidden Master (Short)
Robert Clive of India (uncredited)
1940 Vigil in the Night
Joe Shand
1940 A Chump at Oxford
Student
1940 Laddie
Robert Pryor
1939 The Man in the Iron Mask
Second Officer
Art department (1 credit)
1941 49th Parallel (props - uncredited)
Soundtrack (1 credit)
1973 The Morecambe & Wise Show (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode)
- Episode #7.12 (1973) ... (performer: "A Couple of Swells" - uncredited)
Thanks (5 credits)
2016 Rogue One (with special acknowledgement to)
2014 Special Collector's Edition (TV Series) (in memory of - 2 episodes)
- Episodio 101: Especial Star Wars II (2014) ... (in memory of)
- Episodio 100: Especial Star Wars (2014) ... (in memory of)
2012 House of the Long Shadows... Revisited (Documentary) (dedicatee)
1996 The Hypnotic Eye (TV Series) (dedicatee - 1 episode)
- Halloween Special (1996) ... (dedicatee)
1989 Dieter & Andreas (Short) (grateful acknowledgment)
Self (28 credits)
1996 100 Years of Horror: The Count and Company (Video documentary)
Himself
1994 Flesh and Blood: The Hammer Heritage of Horror (TV Movie documentary)
Narrator / Himself (voice)
1992 Behind the Headlines (TV Series)
Himself
- Episode dated 2 December 1992 (1992) ... Himself
1986-1991 Pebble Mill (TV Series)
Himself
- Episode dated 31 October 1991 (1991) ... Himself
- Episode dated 24 March 1986 (1986) ... Himself
1974-1990 This Is Your Life (TV Series documentary)
Himself
- Peter Cushing (1990) ... Himself
- Christopher Lee (1974) ... Himself
1989 Peter Cushing: A One-Way Ticket to Hollywood (TV Movie documentary)
Himself
1986-1988 Wogan (TV Series)
Himself
- Episode dated 24 February 1988 (1988) ... Himself
- Episode dated 17 February 1988 (1988)
- Episode dated 19 December 1987 (1987) ... Himself
- Episode dated 9 December 1987 (1987)
- Episode dated 22 May 1987 (1987) ... Himself
Show all 6 episodes
1987 Hammer: The Studio That Dripped Blood! (TV Movie documentary)
Himself
1986 Everyman (TV Series documentary)
Himself
- The True Story of Frankenstein (1986) ... Himself
1983 Breakfast Time (TV Series)
Himself
- Episode dated 14 June 1983 (1983) ... Himself
1978-1980 The Morecambe & Wise Show (TV Series)
Himself
- 1980 Christmas Show (1980) ... Himself
- The First Thames Special (1978) ... Himself
1976-1979 Looks Familiar (TV Series)
Himself - Guest / Himself
- Episode dated 25 January 1979 (1979) ... Himself - Guest
- Episode dated 2 February 1976 (1976) ... Himself
1977 Clapper Board (TV Series)
Himself
- Holiday Clapperboard Review of 76 (1977) ... Himself
1977 A Land Looking West (TV Series documentary)
1976 Jim'll Fix It (TV Series)
Himself
- Bank Holiday Special (1976) ... Himself
1975 Taste for Adventure; Fists of Fire (TV Movie documentary)
Himself
1974 Heisse Ware aus Hongkong (TV Movie documentary)
Himself
1973 Film 2017 (TV Series)
Himself
- Episode dated 7 August 1973 (1973) ... Himself
1969-1973 The Morecambe & Wise Show (TV Series)
Himself
- Episode #7.12 (1973) ... Himself
- 1970 Christmas Show (1970) ... Himself
- Episode #2.4 (1969) ... Himself
- The Catbush and Ludicrous Show (1969) ... Himself
1971 Man Alive (TV Series documentary)
Himself
- ZZonk!! Splatt!!- the World of Children's Comics (1971) ... Himself
1971 Wildlife Spectacular (TV Movie documentary)
Himself - Presenter
1971 Treffpunkte (TV Series documentary)
Himself
- Episode dated 27 April 1971 (1971) ... Himself
1967 Cinema (TV Series documentary)
Himself
- Peter Cushing (1967) ... Himself
1965 Cribbins (TV Movie)
Himself - Guest Star
1965 The 'She' Story (Documentary short)
Himself
1941 Safety First (Documentary short)
1941 The New Teacher (Documentary short)
1941 We All Help (Documentary short)
Archive footage (55 credits)
2015-2016 The Drunken Peasants (TV Series)
Peter Cushing / Grand Moff Tarkin
- Vegan Gains Joins Us - Prank Calls to Caiden Cowger - Opening Fan Mail (2016) ... Peter Cushing
- **SPOILERS** the Drunken Peasants Podcast Awakens! (2015) ... Grand Moff Tarkin
2015 Dante's Domicile (TV Series)
Dr. Wells
- Horror Express (2015) ... Dr. Wells
2014 Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films (Documentary)
Sebastian Grisbane (uncredited)
2014 Special Collector's Edition (TV Series)
Grand Moff Tarkin
- Episodio 101: Especial Star Wars II (2014) ... Grand Moff Tarkin
2013 Morecambe & Wise: The Whole Story (TV Series documentary)
Himself
- Episode #1.2 (2013) ... Himself
2007-2013 Cinemassacre's Monster Madness (TV Series documentary)
Baron Frankenstein / Doctor Van Helsing / Doctor Victor Stein / ...
- Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (2013) ... Baron Victor Frankenstein / Dr. Carl Victor
- Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (2013) ... Baron Frankenstein
- Frankenstein Created Woman (2013) ... Baron Frankenstein
- The Evil of Frankenstein (2013) ... Baron Frankenstein
- The Revenge of Frankenstein (2013) ... Doctor Victor Stein
Show all 13 episodes
2013 Making of the Evil of Frankenstein (Video documentary short)
Himself
2013 Taking Over the Asylum: The Making of Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (Video documentary short)
Baron Frankenstein (uncredited)
2012 Frankenstein Reborn: The Making of a Hammer Classic (Video documentary short)
Victor Frankenstein
2012 The Flesh and the Fury: X-posing Twins of Evil (Documentary)
Gustav Weil
2010 Halloween: The Inside Story (TV Movie documentary)
2010 A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss (TV Mini-Series documentary)
Himself / Victor Frankenstein / Doctor Van Helsing / ...
- Home Counties Horror (2010) ... Himself / Victor Frankenstein / Doctor Van Helsing / ...
2010 Attack of the Octopus People (Video)
Doctor Welles
2010 Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (Video documentary)
Himself (uncredited)
2008 Morecambe & Wise: In Their Own Words (TV Movie documentary)
Himself (uncredited)
2007 Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Video Game)
Grand Moff Tarkin (uncredited)
2007 Hammer Horror (Video documentary short)
Baron Victor Frankenstein
2007 Philip Madoc: A Villain for All Seasons (Video documentary short)
Dr. Who
2007 British Film Forever (TV Mini-Series documentary)
Himself
- Magic, Murder and Monsters: The Story of British Horror and Fantasy (2007) ... Himself
2007 Beloved Count (Video documentary short)
Prof. Van Helsing (uncredited)
2007 Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten (Documentary)
Winston Smith
2006/I The Lost
Narrator
2006 Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (Video Game)
Grand Moff Tarkin (uncredited)
2006 History's Mysteries (TV Series documentary)
Dr. Frankenstein
- Frankenstein (2006) ... Dr. Frankenstein
2005 Timeshift (TV Series documentary)
Himself
- Baker Street Babylon: The Bizarre Afterlife of Sherlock Holmes (2005) ... Himself
2004 Cinemaker (Video documentary)
Himself
2004 Star Wars: Battlefront (Video Game)
Grand Moff Tarkin
2003 Inside the Fear Factory (Video documentary short)
2002 The Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster (Video documentary)
Dr. Frankenstein (uncredited)
2002 Actor's Notebook: Christopher Lee (Video documentary short)
Sherlock Holmes
2001 AFI's 100 Years... 100 Thrills: America's Most Heart-Pounding Movies (TV Special documentary)
Himself
1996-1997 Nightmare: The Birth of Victorian Horror (TV Series documentary)
Sherlock Holmes / Baron Victor von Frankenstein / Doctor Van Helsing
- The Hound of the Baskervilles (1997) ... Sherlock Holmes
- Frankenstein (1996) ... Baron Victor von Frankenstein
- Dracula (1996) ... Doctor Van Helsing
1996 100 Years of Horror (TV Series documentary)
Himself - Actor, 'The Brides of Dracula'
- Dracula and His Disciples (1996) ... Himself - Actor, 'The Brides of Dracula'
1995 Match of the Seventies (TV Series)
Himself
- 1972-73 (1995) ... Himself
1995 Dalekmania (Video documentary)
Dr Who
1995 The Vampire Interviews (Video documentary)
Himself
1995 The 67th Annual Academy Awards (TV Special)
Himself (Memorial Tribute)
1994 The World of Hammer (TV Series documentary)
Victor Frankenstein / Gustav Weil / Major Holly / ...
- Costumers (1994) ... Sheriff of Nottingham
- Hammer (1994) ... Victor Frankenstein / Gustav Weil
- Hammer Stars: Christopher Lee (1994) ... Victor Frankenstein / Major Holly
- The Curse of Frankenstein (1994) ... Victor Frankenstein / Doctor Victor Stein / Baron Frankenstein
- Mummies, Werewolves & the Living Dead (1994) ... John Banning / Rev. Dr. Blyss
Show all 9 episodes
1994 It's Alive: The True Story of Frankenstein (TV Movie documentary)
1993 Doctor Who: 30 Years in the Tardis (TV Movie documentary)
Dr. Who (uncredited)
1993 'Doctor Who': Daleks - The Early Years (Video documentary)
Dr. Who (uncredited)
1992 A Tribute to the Boys: Laurel & Hardy (TV Special documentary)
Oxford Student (uncredited)
1991 Frankenstein: A Cinematic Scrapbook (Documentary)
Victor Frankenstein / Dr. Carl Victor
1988 Monsters & Maniacs (Video documentary)
Himself
1986 The Laurel and Hardy Show (TV Series)
Jones (1986)
1985 The Many Faces of Sherlock Holmes (Video documentary)
Sherlock Holmes
1985 The Best of All Time Horror Classics (Video documentary)
Van Helsing
1983 Great Performances (TV Series)
Himself
- Laurence Olivier: A Life (1983) ... Himself (uncredited)
1982 Coming Soon (Video documentary)
edited from 'Brides of Dracula' (uncredited)
1979 The Horror Show (TV Movie documentary)
1966 Dracula: Prince of Darkness
Doctor Van Helsing (uncredited)
1964 Horror (TV Movie documentary)
1962 Lolita
Dr. Frankenstein (uncredited)
1944 Return from Nowhere (Short)
Awakening Man (clip from 'Dreams') (uncredited)
1942 The Woman in the House (Short)
Man Waking Up (uncredited)
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