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29/03/2004
Sir Peter Ustinov dies in Switzerland
Actor and writer Sir Peter Ustinov has died aged 82 in Switzerland.
One of Britain's most respected actors, Sir Peter, who starred in Spartacus and Death on the Nile and many films for television, was born to Russian parents in London in 1921.
His father, formerly an officer in the Czar's Russian Army, had refused to take an oath to the Eastern Orthodox Church as he was a Protestant - and later fled to England in exile.
Educated at Westminster School, he left at age 16, but found success on the London stage with his first play running three years later.
In an acting career that spanned 60 years, he won Academy Awards on two occasions for supporting roles in Spartacus (1961) and Topkapi (1965). He was nominated for a best supporting actor in Quo Vadis? (1951) and for best screenplay for Hot Millions (1968).
Awarded a CBE in 1975 and knighted in 1990, Sir Peter who was fluent in six languages was a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF since his appointment in 1971.
Though perhaps more famous for his portrayal of Hercule Poirot in the 1980 series of films, he had backed out of the lead role in The Pink Panther in 1963. Later sued by the films' producers he was replaced by Peter Sellers.
Married three times Sir Peter had four children, Tamara, Pavla, Andrea and Igor.
(SP)
One of Britain's most respected actors, Sir Peter, who starred in Spartacus and Death on the Nile and many films for television, was born to Russian parents in London in 1921.
His father, formerly an officer in the Czar's Russian Army, had refused to take an oath to the Eastern Orthodox Church as he was a Protestant - and later fled to England in exile.
Educated at Westminster School, he left at age 16, but found success on the London stage with his first play running three years later.
In an acting career that spanned 60 years, he won Academy Awards on two occasions for supporting roles in Spartacus (1961) and Topkapi (1965). He was nominated for a best supporting actor in Quo Vadis? (1951) and for best screenplay for Hot Millions (1968).
Awarded a CBE in 1975 and knighted in 1990, Sir Peter who was fluent in six languages was a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF since his appointment in 1971.
Though perhaps more famous for his portrayal of Hercule Poirot in the 1980 series of films, he had backed out of the lead role in The Pink Panther in 1963. Later sued by the films' producers he was replaced by Peter Sellers.
Married three times Sir Peter had four children, Tamara, Pavla, Andrea and Igor.
(SP)
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