Peter Copley

Peter Copley (20 May 1915 – 7 October 2008) was an English television, film and stage actor. Copley was born in Bushey, Hertfordshire, son of the printmakers, John Copley and Ethel Gabain. After changing his mind about joining the Royal Navy, he studied at the Old Vic School and started out as a stage actor in 1932. He made his first film appearance in 1934, going on to play a wide variety of characters from the villainous to the meek and mild. In 1946, he appeared on stage in "Cyrano de Bergerac" at the New Theatre in London. In 1951 he appeared at the Duchess Theatre in London's West End in the comedy play The Happy Family by Michael Clayton Hutton. TV credits include: Thorndyke, Danger Man, The Saint, The Avengers, The Forsyte Saga, The Troubleshooters, The Champions, Department S, Doomwatch, Z-Cars, Fall of Eagles, Survivors, Bless Me, Father (episode "A Legend Comes to Stay"), Father Brown (episode "The Curse of the Golden Cross"), Doctor Who (in the serial "Pyramids of Mars"), Sutherland's Law, Tales of the Unexpected, Miss Marple (episode "Nemesis"), Lovejoy, The Bill, Cadfael, The Diamond Brothers: South by South East and One Foot in the Grave. Copley continued to act well into his nineties. A resident of Bristol, Copley was awarded an Honorary Degree of Master of Arts by the University of the West of England in 2001.

Cast

Riot at the Rite
Patron
The July Plot
General Friedrich Olbright
Quatermass and the Pit
Howell
The Knack... and How to Get It
Picture Owner
Just My Luck
Mr. Gilbert Weaver
Androcles and the Lion
Caesar
The Sword and the Rose
Sir Edwin Caskoden
Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed
Principal
What Became of Jack and Jill?
Dickson
King and Country
Colonel
Golden Salamander
Aribi
The Smallest Show on Earth
Actor in The Mystery of Hell Valley (uncredited)
The Trial of Klaus Barbie
Frossard
Empire of the Sun
British Prisoner
King of the Ghetto
Vicar
Tell Me If It Hurts
Waiter
Don't Utter a Note
Vicar
Beyond Our Means
Dr. Charteris
A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia
Maitland
Stranger in the Family
Charles Wilson
Tower of London: The Innocent
Archbishop
Walk a Crooked Path
Unknown
Mystery in the Mine
Unknown
Saadia
Leader Mokhazenis
Farewell Again
Minor Role
Hennessy
Home Secretary
Oliver Twist
Dining Hall Master
Doctor Who: Pyramids of Mars
Dr. Warlock
The Card
P. Shillitoe (uncredited)
Shout at the Devil
Admiral Howe
Mosquito Squadron
Mr. Scott
Janice Beard 45 WPM
Sean's Father
The Man Without a Body
Leslie
Churchill and the Generals
Gen. Sir John Dill
Gawain and the Green Knight
Pilgrim
United Kingdom
Commissioner
Foreign Intrigue
Brown
The Shoes of the Fisherman
English Cardinal #1
The Third Secret
Dr Leo Whitset
The Black Panther
Unknown
Little Lord Fauntleroy
Reverend Muldaur
Help!
Jeweller
The Hour of 13
Cummings
Jane Eyre
John
Rockets Galore
Scientist
Time Without Pity
Prison Chaplain
Victim
Paul Mandrake
The Film That Never Was
Unknown
The Importance of Being Earnest
Gribsby
Peril for the Guy
Mr. Ritter
That's Your Funeral
1st Funeral Director
The Clue of the Missing Ape
His Excellency
Rabbit Pie Day
The Colonel
The Devil's Eggshell
The Home Secretary
All at Sea
Mr. Gordon
The Government Inspector
School Superintendent
The End Begins
Tom Jarrow
The Investigation
Counsel for the Prosecution
One Corpse Too Many
Abbot Heribert
The Sanctuary Sparrow
Abbot Heribert
The Leper of St. Giles
Abbot Heribert
Monk's Hood
Abbot Heribert
Witness for the Prosecution
Dr. Harrison
The Man Who Came to Die
Dr. Clarkeson