Biography for
Peter Jeffrey More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

18 April 1929, Bristol, England, UK

Date of Death

25 December 1999, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, UK (prostate cancer)

Mini Biography

Immensely talented and instantly recognizable, Peter Jeffrey was one of a great generation of British actors who were comfortable in everything from classical theatre to television comedy. He was born in Bristol, England in 1929 and went on to be educated at Harrow school. He studied at Pembroke College, Cambridge and embarked on a career as an actor. During his distinguished and diverse stage career, he worked with all of the great British theatre companies and performed with the likes of Peggy Ashcroft, Marius Goring, Paul Scofield, Eric Porter and Peter O'Toole.

His opportunities in television and film always seemed to come in the form of supporting roles but his rare talent always brightened the screen. Peter Jeffrey was still acting in the final years of his life, including a wonderful BBC adaptation of "The Prince and the Pauper" (1996). He was greatly respected in the industry for his quiet professionalism and the empathy he had for other actors and the support he gave to less experienced colleagues. His death from cancer at the age of 70 in 1999 robbed British acting of one of its finest and most reliable performers.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Anonymous

Spouse

Jill Jowett	(? - 25 December 1999) (his death)
Yvonne Bonnamy	(? - ?) (divorced)

Trivia

He was offered the role of the second Doctor by the producer of the BBC series "Doctor Who" (1963) after the departure of William Hartnell, but he didn't want to commit himself to a long term role.

Attended Harrow public school

Studied at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and performed with the Cambridge Footlights revue society.

He performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Bristol Old Vic and the National Theatre.

Children: Dinah, Barney, Victoria, Emily and Catherine.

At the time of Peter Jeffrey's death, some obituaries incorrectly stated that his university was Oxford. It was definitely Cambridge.

His speech from "If..." ("Britain today is a powerhouse...") was sampled by pop group Dreadzone on their single "Little Britain". This was released in December 1995, hitting number 20 in the UK.

He played "Thomas Howard", 3rd Duke of Norfolk, in both Anne of the Thousand Days (1969) and "The Prince and the Pauper" (1996). Furthering his Tudor repertoire, he played "King Philip II of Spain" (husband to "Mary I") in the Glenda Jackson miniseries, "Elizabeth R" (1971).

Personal Quotes

These days, voice-overs are like an extension of radio drama. But it's a challenge of a different sort. You might be playing a pimple or a flat tyre, which is much harder than it sounds.