“Dunn was over Unger,…
…and I was over Dunn.” – Captain Clarence Oveur (Peter Graves [1]) from Airplane II: The Sequel
Actor Peter Graves, who was perhaps best known for his starring role in TV’s “Mission: Impossible,” was found dead today, at his home. There was no sign of foul play. Graves was 83.
Graves was born Peter Aurness in Minneapolis, MN, the son of Ruth (née Duesler) a journalist, and Rolf Cirkler Aurness, a Norwegian who worked in business.
Graves appeared in more than 70 films, TV series, and TV movies! Some of his best-known roles are listed in the Wikipedia article.
Graves played the character of Jim Phelps for all but one of seven years that “Mission: Impossible” ran on CBS, from 1967 to 1973. He played Jim Phelps again when “Mission: Impossible” reappeared, on ABC, from 1988 to 1990.
Graves also appeared as Captain Clarece Oveur in the 1980 movie spoof, “Airplane!” and in its less-successful sequel, “Airplane II: The Sequel.” Never try to do without “Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker!” Graves originally turned down the role in “Airplane!” but changed his mind after meeting with the film’s writers. (See my comment above!) “Airplane!” was ranked 6th on Bravo’s 100 Funniest Movies. In a major 2007 survey by Channel 4 in the UK, it was judged the second greatest comedy film of all time.
In a CNN interview with Graves in 1996, Graves expressed disappointment with the Hollywood movie version of “Mission: Impossible,” which included NONE of the the stars from the TV series, not even in cameo roles.
In 1997, Graves hosted the documentary, “Judy Garland: Beyond the Rainbow,” and became part of a larger group that won an Outstanding Informational Series Emmy for the documentary. Graves is survived by his wife, Joan Endress and three daughters, Kelly, Claudia, and Amanda. Graves was the younger brother of actor James Arness, who starred as Marshal Matt Dillion in the TV series, “Gunsmoke,” which ran on TV for 20 years.
-Bill at
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