Trivia

He said it was almost over for Captain Clarence Oveur before the movie Airplane! (1980) took flight. Graves said he was astounded when his agent sent him the script for the 1980 spoof, and after reading it he felt that it was "the worst piece of junk" he had ever seen. However, he changed his mind after meeting with the movie's writers, Jerry Zucker and David Zucker.

During World War II, he and his brother James Arness joined the United States Army. Arness was an infantryman and was wounded in the battle of Anzio, Italy, while Graves was posted to the Army Air Force (which later became a separate branch of the United States military).

He refused to reprise his role of Jim Phelps for Mission: Impossible (1996), citing that he didn't want his character to go bad. He also stated, even if he could agree, he didn't want to 'die-off' at the end. The role went to Jon Voight.

Met Joan Graves while in college. She would be his wife for nearly 60 years, until Graves' own passing on March 14, 2010.

Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Jim Phelps in Mission: Impossible (1966).

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 6667 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on October 30, 2009.

Phil Morris, the son of his future Mission: Impossible (1988) co-star Greg Morris, grew up with Graves' children and was said to be a huge fan of the series.

Although he and older brother James Arness never acted onscreen together, Graves did direct him in the episode Which Dr. (1966).

He has appeared in two films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant": The Night of the Hunter (1955) and Airplane! (1980).

Before he married Joan Graves; her parents asked Graves to get a steady job. He went to Los Angeles, California, to become an actor.

While a member of the track team, he won the State High Hurdles Championship in his junior year of high school.

Was hospitalized at Tahoe Forest Hospital for a fractured jaw with other injuries endured from a fall on icy Lake Tahoe. (March 1984)

Peter Graves passed away only one year before his older brother James Arness. Peter Graves died on March 14, 2010 while James Arness died on June 3, 2011.

Had three daughters: Kelly Graves, Claudia Graves and Amanda Graves.

Before he was a successful actor, he worked in a variety of jobs, such as cabdriver.

His father, Rolf Aurness, sold surgical instruments, and his mother, Ruth Duesler Graves, was a housewife. He was of Norwegian, German, and English descent.

When he was age 12, he discovered the music of Benny Goodman, a jazz clarinetist. It made a lasting impression and led him to join the band in junior high.

In 1941, when he was fifteen, he become one of the youngest members of the Musicians' Union.

Passed away on March 14, 2010, just four days before his 84th birthday.

When "Mission: Impossible" made a return to television in the late 1980s, Peter Graves was the only cast member from the original series to reprise his character.

Brother James Arness moved to Los Angeles, California before World War II; Graves moved there after the war, when he was discharged from the military.

Began his career as a contract player for Eagle-Lion Pictures in 1950.

Was good friends with: Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Peter Lawford, Sammy Davis Jr., Telly Savalas, Bob Hope, William Holden, Gary Cooper, Robert Mitchum, George Kennedy, Van Heflin, Robert Fuller, William Shatner, Angie Dickinson, Michael Landon, Pernell Roberts, Clint Walker, Robert Conrad, Troy Donahue, Mike Connors, DeForest Kelley, Barbara Rush, Robert Goulet, Walter Matthau, Leslie Nielsen, Robert Stack, Joan Collins, Shirley Jones, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Doris Day and Beverly Garland. As well as his "Mission: Impossible" co-stars Martin Landau, Barbara Bain, Greg Morris, Leonard Nimoy, Lynda Day George and Peter Lupus.

His mother cultivated a love for the arts in both he and older (by three years) brother James Arness.

He played a tuba in junior high; which was something he didn't enjoy, So his father gave him a clarinet.

Upon his death, he was cremated. His ashes are in his family's possession.

Words of remembrance tribute provided by critic Richard Corliss for Time magazine's milestones section (Issue: March 29, 2010).

An athletic enthusiast.

In 1944 when he was 16 he was one of Americas youngest radio announcers and volunteered for the air force becoming an air cadet but never saw action which was one of his biggest disappointments.

Before he was a successful actor, he was in a post-band in Denver.

Served in the United States Army Air Force during World War 2 in the Pacific Theater.

Acting ran in his family.

Interviewed in "Earth vs. the Sci-Fi Filmmakers" by Tom Weaver (McFarland, 2005).

Uncle of Craig Aurness, Rolf Aurness and Jenny Lee Arness.

Ex-brother-in-law of Virginia Arness.

He was Left-handed.

He played rancher Jim Newton in Fury, Australian pioneer Christopher Cobb in Whiplash and army solicitor Majoir Frank Whittaker in Court Martial.

He never appeared in a film nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.

Is often not to be confused with British bit-player, Peter Graves (1911-1994).

College classmate of Jack Smight.