Another Sad Post, Yet Again...

Born: March 18, 1926 He was one of the classiest and most professional actors I’ve ever seen. From movies to television and back again he handled every role with dignity and class. His career began when television was just breaking ground and he left a permanent mark on the classics and on pop culture. His film career began in 1942 and before it ended he appeared in such beloved and classic films as Stalag 17 in 1953, Airplane! in 1980 and Airplane II: The Sequel in 1982. Stalag 17 cast him against type when he portrayed a villain. His image would shape up to portray him as the good guy most of the time. Television was just around the corner and in the 1960’s he joined many other characters by attempting to break into running television programs. From 1960 to 1961 he appeared on “Whiplash” and from 1965 to 1966 he appeared on “Court Martial.” The role that would make him a legend on television was as Mr. Phelps on the series “Mission: Impossible.” He joined the cast at the beginning of season 2 in 1967 replacing actor Steven Hill. The actor remained with the show until it ended in 1973. In 1988, he was the only original cast member to participate in the revival which lasted until 1990. Other television credits include (incomplete): “Toast of the Town” “The Jonathan Winters Show” “The Dean Martin Show” “Dinah!” “The Sonny and Cher Show” “The Mike Douglas Show” “Diagnosis Murder” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” “Schlitz Playhouse of Stars” “Fireside Theatre” “Studio One” “Climax!” “The Alfred Hitchcock Hour” “The Virginian” “The F.B.I.” “The Red Skelton Show” “The Winds of War” “Fantasy Island” “Murder, She Wrote” “Life with Lucy” “The Love Boat” “Burke’s Law” (1990’s version) “House M.D.” “Cold Case” “7th Heaven” “American Dad!” In 2001 he appeared in the TV movie “These Old Broads” playing the husband to Debbie Reynolds’ character. Other stars of the film included Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Shirley MacLaine, Jonathan Silverman, Joan Collins, Gene Barry, Pat Crawford Brown and June Allyson. From 1994 to 2006 he lent his voice to the classy A&E series “Biography” and his wonderful skills held our attention as he went through the lives of such performers as Cesar Romero, Angela Lansbury, Julie Newmar and Redd Foxx just to name a few... He left us so very suddenly on March 14, 2010… In Memoriam Remembers: Peter Graves