NFR - US Actor Peter Graves On His Last Mission Impossible

[Lighthouse]

Peter Graves - star of the classic TV series Mission: Impossible and disaster spoof movie Airplane! - has died in the US city of Los Angeles. He was 83.

The actor had a suspected heart attack outside his home after a meal with his family, about a week before his 84th birthday, said publicist Sandy Brokaw.

Graves was perhaps best known for his role as special agent Jim Phelps in the popular TV series Mission: Impossible.

He also played bungling pilot Clarence Oveur in the 1980 film Airplane!.

The actor initially turned down the role but was talked round by the film-makers, who told him his dry, deadpan humour made him perfect for the spoof disaster movie.

He had just returned from lunch on Sunday with his wife and children when he collapsed before making it into the house, his publicist said.


  He had this statesmanlike quality

Sandy Brokaw
Publicist
One of his daughters tried in vain to revive him.

"He had this statesman-like quality," publicist Brokaw told AP news agency. "People were always encouraging him to run for office. But he said: 'I like acting. I like being around actors."'

The police said the star had died of "natural causes" at his home.

Awards

Arguably his most famous role was in the long-running TV show Mission: Impossible, in which Graves led a squad of American government special agents battling evil conspirators.

Every show began with Graves, as Agent Phelps, listening to instructions detailing his team's latest mission on a tape, which self-destructed within seconds of being played.

The show ran on CBS from 1967 to 1973 and was revived on ABC from 1988 to 1990.

[cebu]

I read the online obits - I hadn't known he was James Arness's younger brother.

[HatterDon]

do you like gladiator movies?

[finnster01]

do you like gladiator movies?

Roger Roger and do we have clearance Clarence?