Peter Copley
Born
May 20, 1915
Died
October 7, 2008 (93 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
Bushey, Hertfordshire, England, UK
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.
The Colour of Magic
Greyhald Spold · (1 episode)
2008
Riot at the Rite
Patron
2005
Oliver Twist
Dining Hall Master
2005
The Last Detective
Colonel Colin Ingate · (1 episode)
2003
Janice Beard 45 WPM
Sean's Father
1999
Jonathan Creek
Eric · (1 episode)
1997
Cadfael
Abbot Heribert · (4 episodes)
1994
A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia
Maitland
1992
One Foot in the Grave
(1 episode)
1990
Agatha Christie's Poirot
Burgoyne · (1 episode)
1989
The Importance of Being Earnest
Gribsby
1988
Empire of the Sun
British Prisoner
1987
Never Say Die
(6 episodes)
1987
The Trial of Klaus Barbie
Frossard
1987
Casualty
Dan Woods · (1 episode)
1986
Casualty
Hugh Phipps · (1 episode)
1986
King of the Ghetto
Vicar
1986
Lovejoy
Harold Richards · (1 episode)
1986
Theatre Night
Gribsby · (1 episode)
1985
The Prisoner of Zenda
Marshal Strakencz · (2 episodes)
1984
The Bill
(1 episode)
1984
Androcles and the Lion
Caesar
1984
United Kingdom
Commissioner
1981
The Chinese Detective
(1 episode)
1981
Little Lord Fauntleroy
Reverend Muldaur
1980
Rabbit Pie Day
The Colonel
1980
Churchill and the Generals
Gen. Sir John Dill
1979
Tales of the Unexpected
Man at Railway Station · (1 episode)
1979
The Black Panther
1977
Anna Karenina
(2 episodes)
1977
The New Avengers
Prof. Waterlow · (1 episode)
1976
Bill Brand
Cedric Maddocks · (5 episodes)
1976
Shout at the Devil
Admiral Howe
1976
Hennessy
Home Secretary
1975
Doctor Who: Pyramids of Mars
Dr. Warlock
1975
Survivors
Dr. Bronson · (1 episode)
1975
Sky
(1 episode)
1975
The Venturers
(1 episode)
1975
Father Brown
(1 episode)
1974
Fall of Eagles
Bethmann-Hollweg · (1 episode)
1974
Beyond Our Means
Dr. Charteris
1973
Gawain and the Green Knight
Pilgrim
1973
Arthur of the Britons
(1 episode)
1972
That's Your Funeral
1st Funeral Director
1972
Crown Court
Sir Peter Cutforth · (2 episodes)
1972
Crown Court
His Honour Judge Edmonds · (3 episodes)
1972
What Became of Jack and Jill?
Dickson
1972
The Regiment
(1 episode)
1972
Justice
Wigmore · (1 episode)
1971
You're Only Young Twice
(6 episodes)
1971
Jane Eyre
John
1970
Doomwatch
Admiral Sir Richard Tranton · (1 episode)
1970
Manhunt
Martin · (1 episode)
1970
Paul Temple
(1 episode)
1969
Department S
The Auctioneer · (1 episode)
1969
Walk a Crooked Path
1969
Mosquito Squadron
Mr. Scott
1969
Tower of London: The Innocent
Archbishop
1969
The Gold Robbers
Asst. Commissioner Farr · (13 episodes)
1969
Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed
Principal
1969
All at Sea
Mr. Gordon
1969
The Shoes of the Fisherman
English Cardinal #1
1968
The Champions
Antrobus · (1 episode)
1968
The Expert
Hillard · (1 episode)
1968
Quatermass and the Pit
Howell
1967
Callan
(1 episode)
1967
The Devil's Eggshell
The Home Secretary
1966
Don't Utter a Note
Vicar
1966
Softly, Softly
(1 episode)
1966
BBC Play of the Month
The Home Inspector · (1 episode)
1965
Stranger in the Family
Charles Wilson
1965
Help!
Jeweller
1965
The Knack... and How to Get It
Picture Owner
1965
The July Plot
General Friedrich Olbright
1964
Redcap
(1 episode)
1964
The Wednesday Play
Gen. Friedrich Olbright · (1 episode)
1964
King and Country
Colonel
1964
Thorndyke
(7 episodes)
1964
The Third Secret
Dr Leo Whitset
1964
Doctor Who
Dr. Warlock · (2 episodes)
1963
The Saint
Don Morland · (1 episode)
1962
Z-Cars
(1 episode)
1962
Victim
Paul Mandrake
1961
The Avengers
(1 episode)
1961
The Avengers
Sparshott · (1 episode)
1961
Maigret
Xavier Marton · (1 episode)
1960
No Hiding Place
(1 episode)
1959
Mystery in the Mine
1959
Rockets Galore
Scientist
1958
The Government Inspector
School Superintendent
1958
Just My Luck
Gilbert Weaver
1957
The Man Without a Body
Leslie
1957
The Smallest Show on Earth
Actor in The Mystery of Hell Valley (uncredited)
1957
Time Without Pity
Prison Chaplain
1957
The Film That Never Was
1957
Foreign Intrigue
Brown
1956
Peril for the Guy
Mr. Ritter
1956
Sherlock Holmes
(2 episodes)
1954
Saadia
Leader Mokhazenis
1953
The Clue of the Missing Ape
His Excellency
1953
The Sword and the Rose
Sir Edwin Caskoden
1953
The Hour of 13
Cummings
1952
The Card
P. Shillitoe (uncredited)
1952
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Dr. Harrison · (1 episode)
1951
Golden Salamander
Aribi
1950
Farewell Again
Minor Role
1937
Tell Me If It Hurts
Waiter
1934