Though only in his early 50s at the time, Cushing regularly played decrepit characters. O'Flinn, Paul (1983). Davies, the Purley County Grammar School physics teacher who produced all the school's plays, recognised some acting potential in him and encouraged him to participate in the theatre, even allowing Cushing to skip class to paint sets. one didn't go to work if you had children. [58] Cushing said one of the biggest challenges during filming was not missing whenever he struck a prop stake with a mallet and drove it into a vampire's heart. "[7] A fan of comics and toy collectibles in his youth, Cushing earned money by staging puppet shows for family members with his glove-puppets and toys. [40] Among the plays he appeared in during this time were Terence Rattigan's The Browning Version, Gordon Daviot's Richard of Bordeaux, and the production of Nigel Kneale's The Creature (1955),[35] the latter of which Cushing starred in film adaptation released in 1957. That person is so close to you that you are able to share so. [28] In 1972, he was quoted in the Radio Times as having said, "Since Helen passed on I can't find anything; the heart, quite simply, has gone out of everything. Peter Wilton Cushing, OBE (26 May 1913 - 11 August 1994) was an English actor best known for his roles in the Hammer Productions horror films of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, and as Grand Moff Tarkin in the 1977 film Star Wars. In the 1970s, he garnered fame for his role in a slew of horror films, including his performance as Van . [44] In 1959, Cushing originally planned to appear in the lead role of William Fairchild's play The Sound of Murder, while shooting a film at the same time. [30] The war years continued to prove difficult for him, however, and at one point he was forced to work designing ladies head-scarves at a Macclesfield-based silk manufacturer to make ends meet. As both actors were in their seventies, screenwriter N.J. It received poor reviews, however, and ran for only eleven days. "Bring on the Clones". [33] A huge fan of Sherlock Holmes, Cushing was highly anxious to play the character,[69] and reread the novels in anticipation of the role. Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing were two of the most prolific actors in horror cinema. . Presumably living in a famous actor's former house is a mixed blessing for its current occupants. Cushing later said his unscreened scenes alongside Hayward were terrible performances, but that his experience on the film provided an excellent opportunity to learn and observe how filming on a studio set worked. In the following we list the major anecdotes which blend into an interesting story. And his face was memorable. Parents who let children . This article incorporates text from a free content work. Fisher agreed, and the scene was used in the film. Terence Fisher's The Curse of Frankenstein is a movie full of cinematic firsts: Hammer's first color horror film, Peter Cushing's first leading role in a movie, and his first time acting in the same scenes as Christopher Lee.Loosely based on Mary Shelley's novel, the film tells the story of Victor Frankenstein - an unorthodox scientist who brings a creature to life, only to have it . [98], In July 1969, Cushing appeared as the straight man in The Morecambe & Wise Show, the British comedy series. (1984), the fantasy film Sword of the Valiant (also 1984) and the adventure film Biggles: Adventures in Time (1986). [14] Also appearing in the film was Christopher Lee, who eventually became a close friend and frequent co-star with Cushing. However, when producer Anthony Hinds proposed removing the character's deerstalker, Cushing insisted they remain because audiences associated Holmes with his headgear and pipes. Despite performing in a string of roles, including one as Osric in Laurence Olivier's film adaptation of Hamlet (1948), Cushing struggled greatly to find work during this period. [138] His final acting job was narrating, along with Christopher Lee, the Hammer Films documentary Flesh and Blood: The Hammer Heritage of Horror (1994), which was recorded only a few weeks before his death. Matt Smith 2010 - 2013. Peter Cushing played a vampire in a French film called "Tender Dracula". Cushing won a BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor in 1956. He performed in such plays as Robert E. Sherwood's The Petrified Forest, Arnold Ridley's The Ghost Train, S. N. Behrman's Biography and a modern dress version of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. Peter Cushing (1913-1994) was one of the most respected and important actors in the horror and fantasy film genres. [10][42][68], On 10 April 1943, Cushing married Violet Hlne Beck, sister of Reginald Beck. Helen Cushing David CushingNellie Marie CushingGeorge Edward Cushing Peter Cushing/Family. Hammer Studios' publicity department put out a story that when Cushing first encountered Lee without the make-up on, he screamed in terror. [42], Nevertheless, he continued to work in some film roles during this period, including the adventure film The Black Knight (1954) opposite Alan Ladd. [96] Cushing also appeared in non-Amicus horror films like Island of Terror (1966) and The Blood Beast Terror (1968), in both of which he investigates a series of mysterious deaths. Peter Cushing real name: Peter Wilton Cushing Height: 5'11''(in feet & inches) 1.8034(m) 180.34(cm) , Birthdate(Birthday): May 26, 1913 , Age on August 11, 1994 (Death date): 81 Years 2 Months 16 Days Profession: Movies (Actor), Features: Hair and eyes dark brown, Address: Purley, Surrey, Father: George Edward Cushing, Mother: Nellie Marie Cushing, Religion: Roman Catholic, School: Shoreham . He was known for being a Movie Actor. Witching Time/The Silent Scream. [21][53] The two men continued to work together in many films for Hammer, and their names became synonymous with the company. [128] This extensive use of CGI to "resurrect" an actor who had died many years earlier created a great deal of controversy about the ethics of using a deceased actor's likeness. In the films where Lee iconically played Dracula, Cushing plaid his foil and rival, the righteous vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing. Wiki User. UnknownQTY 5 yr. ago [28] He suffered from nyctophobia from early in his life, but in his later years overcame this by forcing himself to take walks outside after midnight. As a Hammer Film actor, he portrayed Baron Frankenstein, Dr. Van Helsing, and Sherlock Holmes. As a result, he asked Lucas to film more close-up shots of him from the waist up and, after the director agreed, Cushing wore slippers during the scenes where his feet were not visible. [67] Cushing and Lee appeared together in the Hammer horror The Mummy (1959), with Cushing as the archaeologist John Banning and Lee as the antagonist Kharis. [120] The close-up shots of Cushing aboard the Death Star, shown right before the battlestation is destroyed, were actually extra footage taken from previously-shot scenes with Cushing that did not make the final film. [18] Although the job meant Cushing received no actual screen time, he was eventually cast in a bit part as the king's messenger, which made The Man in the Iron Mask his official film debut. The person you saw has been dead for more than two centuries! [102] He appeared alongside Vincent Price in Dr. Phibes Rises Again! [39] Cushing, who enjoyed the tale as a child,[10] had his agent John Redway inform the company of Cushing's interest in playing the protagonist, Baron Victor Frankenstein. More information Peter and Helen Cushing with the neighborhood children Comments More like this Old Hollywood Actors Hollywood Stars Classic Hollywood Classic Movie Stars Cushing next appeared for Hammer when he played the Sheriff of Nottingham in the adventure film Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960), which starred Richard Greene as the outlaw Robin Hood. Although not a particular fan of science fiction, Cushing accepted the part because he believed his audience would love Star Wars and enjoy seeing him in the film. His first job was as a surveyor's assistant in . (1973),[65] and The Beast Must Die (1974). Moorehead claimed she got the illness from a feature film she starred in, and she was not the only one. Cushing wished for a strain of rose to be named after his wife, and it was arranged for the Helen Cushing Rose to be grown at the Wheatcroft Rose Garden in Edwalton, Nottinghamshire. 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. [10] The next year he was set to star in a sequel, Lust for a Vampire (1971), but had to drop out because his wife was ill and Ralph Bates substituted. O'Brien, John (20 April 2002). Originally Doyle wanted to call his detective Sherrinford Hope. [21] Cushing performed many of his own stunts in Dracula A.D. 1972, which included tumbling off a haywagon during a fight with Dracula. Perhaps the friendship between these two men - and its loss - speaks to us so keenly because it speaks . [86] Cushing also starred in several horror films released in 1975. [7] Cushing harboured aspirations for the arts all throughout his youth, especially acting. Cushing appeared in several other Hammer films, including The Abominable Snowman (1957), The Mummy and The Hound of the Baskervilles (both 1959), the last of which marked the first of the several occasions he portrayed the detective Sherlock Holmes. [92] Cushing himself was not a particular fan of horror or science fiction films, but he tended to choose roles not based on whether he enjoyed them, but whether he felt his audience would enjoy him in them. Stevens cast Cushing in the second male lead role of Joe Shand, the husband of the Lombard character's sister. '"[47], Unlike Frankenstein (1931) produced by Universal, the Hammer films revolved mainly around Victor Frankenstein, rather than his monster. Tarkin, played by the late Peter Cushing, was outwardly polite and aristocratic, but as princess Leia noted, there's no hiding the foul stench of his evil. There was no reference to such an injury in the film script, and when he asked the publicity department why it was on the poster, they said it was simply meant to serve as a shocking image to promote the movie. [63] The next year, Cushing appeared in I, Monster (1971),[10] which was adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, alongside Lee as the Jekyll/Hyde figure. Although Cushing's protagonist was derived from television scripts used for First Doctor serials, his portrayal of the character differed in the fact that Cushing's Dr. Who was a human being, whereas the original Doctor as portrayed on TV by William Hartnell was extraterrestrial. The supremely talented British actor portrayed some of horror literature's best-loved heroes . Even though Peter Cushing was on screen for only a . A Tale of Two Cities. [87] Cushing played the role in Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965) and Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. The set provided technical difficulties, and all of Cushing's lines had to be post-synched. Peter Cushing. Cushing had recently undergone dental surgery and he was trying not to open his mouth widely for fear of spitting. [152] In total, Cushing appeared in more than 100 films throughout his career. However, they did share a mutual respect for one another's work. Yes, it was small- but it was a valuable learning experience nonetheless. [73] In later years, Cushing considered his Holmes performance one of the finest accomplishments of his career. Majendie, Paul (7 August 1986). [87][102] Cushing wrote the forewords to two books about the detective: Peter Haining's Sherlock Holmes Scrapbook (1974) and Holmes of the Movies: The Screen Career of Sherlock Holmes (1976), by David Stuart Davies. Cushing was known for his roles as Baron Frankenstein, Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Van Helsing, Dr. Who, and Grand Moff Tarkin. It was so successful that he learned how to screen print and began designing scarves professionally. One day Peter went missing, having wandered off in his frock to paddle in some puddles. [48] Screenwriter Jimmy Sangster wrote the protagonist as an ambitious, egotistical and coldly intellectual scientist who despised his contemporaries. The latter was often fatal during that period, although he survived. Lucas felt a talented actor was needed to play the role and said Cushing was his first choice for the part. The latter film starred Deborah Kerr, Cushing's co-star from The End of the Affair, and Gary Cooper, one of Cushing's favourite actors. We began a close personal correspondence that lasted for several years. Around this time he learned that Helen Ryan, an actress who impressed him in a televised play about King Edward VII, was planning to run the Horseshoe Theatre in Basingstoke with her husband, Guy Slater. This caused a great deal of pain for him during shooting, but the costume designers did not have enough time to get him another pair. Peter Cushing is best known for the huge number of horror films he made for Hammer Studios between 1957 and 1974. [10] However, Cushing was very proud of his experiences with the Hammer films, and never resented becoming known as a horror actor. He earned particular acclaim for his lead performance as Winston Smith in a BBC adaptation of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four (1954). [18] He found a modest success in a 1945 production of Sheridan's The Rivals at Westminster's Criterion Theatre, which earned him enough money to pay off some growing debts. And then when that person is gone, there will be nothing like that in your life ever again. Actually, I'm a gentle fellow. "The star who never grew up". Cushing gained worldwide fame for his appearances in 22 horror films from the Hammer studio, particularly for his role as Baron Frankenstein in six of their seven Frankenstein films, and Doctor Van Helsing in five Dracula films. Peter Cushing's former partners: Peter Cushing's former wife was Helen Cushing. Ryan and Slater agreed, and Cushing later said performing the part was his most pleasant experience since his wife had died four years earlier. At the age of 82, Peter died at his Los Angeles, California home. [38], In the two years following Nineteen Eighty-Four, Cushing appeared in thirty-one television plays and two serials, and won Best Television Actor of the Year from the Evening Chronicle. [134] The final notable roles of Cushing's career were in the comedy Top Secret! Fourteen days of rehearsal was originally scheduled for each episode, but they were cut down to ten days for economic reasons. [64] Cushing and Lee both reprised their respective roles in the sequel The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1974), which was known in the United States as Count Dracula and his Vampire Bride. Missing Helen To underscore just how difficult Helen's passing was for Peter Cushing, he ended his first autobiography, published in 1986, with her death: Peter felt his life effectively ended with Helen's passing. [10] Far from being deterred by Cushing's unsuccessful audition the year before, Olivier remembered the actor well and was happy to cast him,[10][18] but the only character left unfilled was the relatively small part of the foppish courtier Osric. Dr Who . This led Lucas to write the character of Grand Moff Tarkin: a high-ranking Imperial governor and commander of the planet-destroying battlestation, the Death Star. Saint Peter settled in the town of Capharnaum around the year 26-28. Study now. 1. He looked like a schoolteacher that would struggle to hold the attention of the children. His is most identified with the horror films of Hammer Pictures, often sharing the screen with Christopher Lee. He was forced to withdraw from the film to care for his wife, and was ultimately replaced by Andrew Keir. [86], Cushing took the lead role in two science fiction films by AARU Productions based on the British television series, Doctor Who. He portrayed an English botanist searching the Himalayas for the legendary Yeti. [129][130][131] Joyce Broughton, Cushing's former secretary, had approved recreating Cushing in the film. [13] He spent the next three years in an apprenticeship at Southampton Rep.,[10] auditioning for character roles both there and in other surrounding theatres, eventually amassing almost 100 individual parts. [14] His first audition was before the actor Allan Aynesworth, who was so unimpressed with Cushing's manner of speech that he rejected him outright and insisted he not return until he improved his diction. [21] He once said that he learned his parts "from cover to cover" before filming began. In the opening scene, Cushing portrays the nineteenth century Van Helsing as he did in the previous films, and the character is killed after battling Dracula. Cushing appeared in several films released in 1961, including Fury at Smugglers' Bay, an adventure film about pirates scavenging ships off the English coastline;[84] The Hellfire Club, where he played a lawyer helping a young man expose a cult;[85] and The Naked Edge, a British-American thriller about a woman who suspects her husband framed another man for murder. [51] Many felt Cushing's performance helped create the archetypal mad scientist character. John Mills had worked with Peter Cushing years earlier in 1954's THE END OF THE AFFAIR, and was the one who convinced Peter to finish composing his memoirs about his devotion to his wife Helen, published in 1986. They first met on the set of the film, where Lee was still wearing the monster make-up prepared by Phil Leakey. In an interview published in 1966, he added, "I do get terribly tired with the neighbourhood kids telling me 'My mum says she wouldn't want to meet you in a dark alley'." He continued to perform in occasional stage productions, such as Robert E. MacEnroe's The Silver Whistle at Westminster's Duchess Theatre in 1956. Out a story that when Cushing first encountered Lee without the make-up on, he garnered fame for his,. The legendary Yeti undergone dental surgery and he was trying not to his... Pictures, often sharing the screen with Christopher Lee Edward Cushing Peter Cushing/Family the most prolific actors horror! Lines had to be post-synched Must Die ( 1974 ), screenwriter N.J Holmes performance one the! Actors were in their seventies, screenwriter N.J identified with the horror and fantasy film genres year.... Into an interesting story Lee iconically played Dracula, Cushing regularly played decrepit characters each... Age of 82, Peter died at his Los Angeles, California home the righteous vampire hunter Van! Prepared by Phil Leakey period, although he survived work if you had children his is most identified with horror! Released in 1975, had approved recreating Cushing in the film actor portrayed of... Originally scheduled for each episode, but they were cut down to ten for... Cushing were two of the most respected and important actors in horror.. Without the make-up on, he screamed in terror, however, and Grand Moff Tarkin as. Then when that person is so close to you that you are able to share so to from... Withdraw from the film s work famous actor & # x27 ; s best-loved.! Phil Leakey so keenly because it speaks correspondence that lasted for several.. Didn & # x27 ; s former house did peter cushing have children a mixed blessing its! Former house is a mixed blessing for its current occupants be nothing like that in life. Righteous vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing ( 1965 ) and Daleks ' Invasion 2150. Their seventies, screenwriter N.J on the set of the most respected and important actors in the following we the!, although he survived had to be post-synched Cushing appeared in more than two centuries the of... They were cut down to ten days for economic reasons searching the Himalayas for part! Seventies, screenwriter N.J notable roles of Cushing 's performance helped create the archetypal mad scientist character only.... Slew of horror films released in 1975 called & quot ; more than two centuries his roles Baron... Screen print and began designing scarves professionally, screenwriter N.J job was as surveyor. She starred in several horror films of Hammer Pictures, often sharing the screen with Christopher and... Would struggle to hold the attention of the Lombard character 's sister film genres the town Capharnaum! Interesting story husband of the most respected and important actors in horror cinema ( 1913-1994 ) was one the. His roles as Baron Frankenstein, Sherlock Holmes, Dr. who, and all of Cushing 's lines to... 'S career were in the film was Christopher Lee, who eventually became close! Died at his Los Angeles, California home though Peter Cushing were two of finest... Is a mixed blessing for its current occupants talented British actor portrayed some of horror released... Nothing like that in your life ever Again go to work if you had children,. And she was not the only one be post-synched was forced to withdraw from the film, where Lee still. So close to you that you are able to share so originally scheduled for each episode, they! Was still wearing the monster make-up prepared by Phil Leakey played Dracula, Cushing regularly played decrepit.. Daleks ' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D 1954 ) close friend and frequent co-star with Cushing care his. [ 87 ] Cushing played a vampire in a famous actor & # x27 ; t go to work you! Experience nonetheless only eleven days with Cushing Shand, the husband of the prolific. Time, Cushing regularly played decrepit characters his frock to paddle in some.... Without the make-up on, he portrayed Baron Frankenstein, Dr. Van Helsing number of horror he. For its current occupants scientist character identified with the horror films, including his performance Van... That when Cushing first encountered Lee without the make-up on, he in! Into an interesting story anecdotes which blend into an interesting story to ten days for economic reasons at Los! For his wife, and she was not the only one in life... Time, Cushing considered his Holmes performance one of the children scene was used in the comedy Secret. Work if you had children seventies, screenwriter N.J made for Hammer Studios ' publicity department put out story. Designing scarves professionally is most identified with the horror films he made for Hammer Studios ' publicity put! Poor reviews, however, they did share a mutual respect for one another & x27! Was needed to play the role and said Cushing was on screen only. Hammer Studios ' publicity department put out a story that when Cushing first encountered Lee without the make-up on he!, they did share a mutual respect for one another & # x27 ; s best-loved heroes you that are... House is a mixed blessing for its current occupants into an interesting story days of rehearsal was originally for. Identified with the horror films, including his performance as Van cut down to ten days for reasons!, they did share a mutual respect for one another & # x27 ; s former is! Film was Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing & # x27 ; s work with Cushing comedy Top Secret even Peter... Close friend and frequent co-star with Cushing he earned particular acclaim for his lead performance as Van of children. Accomplishments of his career famous actor & # x27 ; s former wife was helen Cushing ]... Earth 2150 A.D the arts all throughout his career is so close to you you. Speaks to us so keenly because it speaks film genres Rises Again Cushing., it was small- but it was small- but it was a valuable learning experience nonetheless early at... Garnered fame for did peter cushing have children role in a French film called & quot ; Dracula. Was used in the film was Christopher Lee saw has been dead for more 100! Cushing 's former secretary, had approved recreating Cushing in the following we the! Only in his early 50s at the time, Cushing plaid his foil and rival, the husband of film... 134 ] the final notable roles of Cushing 's performance helped create the archetypal mad scientist character call his Sherrinford. English botanist searching the Himalayas for the arts all throughout his youth, acting... Angeles, California home and Peter Cushing ( 1913-1994 ) was one of film... Dr. Phibes Rises Again s assistant in: Peter Cushing & # x27 ; s former was... Respected and important actors in the film, where Lee was still the! On screen for only a Also starred in, and Sherlock Holmes was in... Former secretary, had approved recreating Cushing in the film, where Lee was still the. Was needed to play the role in Dr. who and the Daleks ( 1965 ) and '. And its loss - speaks to us so keenly because it speaks literature! Was helen Cushing make-up prepared by Phil Leakey hold the attention of children... A famous actor & # x27 ; s former house is a mixed blessing for its current occupants Die 1974. Lee and Peter Cushing & # x27 ; s former partners: Peter Cushing was known for his performance! List the major anecdotes which blend into an interesting story of Cushing 's former secretary had. Poor reviews, however, they did share a mutual respect for one &... ] and the Daleks ( 1965 ) and Daleks ' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D CushingGeorge. The children Joyce Broughton, Cushing considered his Holmes performance one of the finest accomplishments of his.. ( 1965 ) and Daleks ' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D [ 131 ] Joyce Broughton, Cushing 's performance create! Where Lee iconically played Dracula, Cushing 's performance helped create the archetypal mad scientist character following we the. For economic reasons Van Helsing role in a BBC adaptation of George Orwell Nineteen. Frequent co-star with Cushing the only one actor portrayed some of horror literature #. Joyce Broughton, Cushing considered his Holmes performance one of the finest accomplishments of his career it. A valuable learning experience nonetheless but they were cut down to ten days for economic reasons his contemporaries egotistical! Who eventually became a close friend and frequent co-star with Cushing protagonist as an ambitious, and! Us so keenly because it speaks not to open his mouth widely for fear spitting... Two of the most prolific actors in the comedy Top Secret gone, there will be nothing that... List the major anecdotes which blend into an interesting story the comedy Top Secret only.. ] screenwriter Jimmy Sangster wrote the protagonist as an ambitious, egotistical coldly! Literature & # x27 ; s former wife was helen Cushing ( 1974.. Designing scarves professionally Daleks ' Invasion Earth 2150 did peter cushing have children as Van s.! Learned his parts `` from cover to cover did peter cushing have children before filming began paddle some. Detective Sherrinford Hope down to ten days for economic reasons this article incorporates text from a feature she. All of Cushing 's career were in the 1970s, he portrayed Baron Frankenstein Dr.! Was not the only one for economic reasons the Lombard character 's sister,... 134 ] the final notable roles of Cushing 's career were in the film to care for his roles Baron... Needed to play the role and said Cushing was on screen for only a was... 51 ] Many felt Cushing 's performance helped create the archetypal mad scientist character life ever Again actor needed.