'Mission: Impossible' Star Peter Graves Dead at 83

By PopEater Staff Posted Mar 14th 2010 11:13PM

Film and television star Peter Graves died Sunday of a heart attack outside his home in Pacific Palisades, California, his business manager, Fred Barman, confirmed to the New York Times. He was 83.

According to his publicist, Sandy Brokaw, Graves collapsed upon returning from brunch with his wife and children. One of his daughters administered CPR, but was unable to save him.

Graves, whose career spanned about 60 years, was perhaps best known for his Golden Globe-winning portrayal of IMF leader James Phelps on the iconic spy series 'Mission: Impossible,' which ran for seven seasons on CBS. He later reprised the role in an ABC reboot, from 1988-1990.

Graves' small-screen career dates back the mid-'50s when he landed a regular gig on the NBC Western drama 'Fury.' From then on, he became a regular face on television, with additional roles on 'Whiplash,' 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents,' 'The Dean Martin Show,' 'Fantasy Island' and, more recently, the WB family drama '7th Heaven.'

In the mid-'90s, Graves became the host of A&E's 'Biography,' and received an Emmy for the 1997 special 'Judy Garland: Beyond the Rainbow.'

Of course, Graves' career wasn't just limited to television. The legendary actor also appeared in a number of high-profile films, including Billy Wilder's 'Stalag 17,' opposite Oscar winner William Holden, 'Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell' and the 1955 thriller 'Night of the Hunter.'

But it was the 1980 comedy 'Airplane!' that earned Graves the most fame -- and laughs -- on the big screen. Graves played Captain Clarence Oveur in the film and its 1982 sequel, and uttered such memorable lines as "Have you ever seen a grown man naked?" Watch a clip from 'Airplane' below.

Last October, Graves received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to honor his incredible career.

Prior to acting, the Minneapolis native became a radio announcer at age 16, and served two years in the Air Force before heading off to the University of Minnesota, where he studied drama. He moved to Hollywood shortly after graduation.

According to the Times, Graves is survived by his brother, actor James Arness ('Gunsmoke'), his wife, Joan Graves, whom he married in 1950, and his three daughters. He died just four days shy of his 84th birthday.

Comments

(156)

Sunday 14 March

By bill

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Loved the old Mission Impossible TV series, Hated the Tom Cruise movies.

Monday 15 March

By Cheri

Ditto to those remakes . . used to see Peter Graves out for a walk in the early mornings. Always a cheery "Good Morning and how are you?" from him.

By djnotalone

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Meet a Rich Match on

w w w . K i s s i n g R ic h . c o m

The bes t c l u b f o r
seek ing the rich singles, sex y beauties. ...what's the most important is that you don't have to be a milli onaire, but you can me et one. ...

Meet a Rich Match on

w w w . K i s s i n g R ic h . c o m

The bes t c l u b f o r
seek ing the rich singles, sex y beauties. ...what's the most important is that you don't have to be a milli onaire, but you can me et one. ...
TTTTT

By GG357

Bill - couldn't have said it better. Mr. Graves was an elegant, classy, sophisticated man without the need for publicity or public adoration. His generation of actors will be deeply missed.

By Wish Belkin

Never missed Fury on Saturday mornings.
Goodnight Mr. Graves. You did well.

By joamurp7

I Liked Prter Graves In Mission Impossible,Sorry To See Him Go
J.M.

By tony

R I P AND MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY.

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By walkerhds

So God, how do you feel about gladiator movies..

By kitnmeisner

Hey! Leave my Father out this, you hater!

By t

pretty good pal

By Ruby

Peter Graves was an extraordinary film and television actor and will be greatly missed by those of us who fondly remember and continue to watch episodes of Mission Impossible. Our heartfelt wishes to his family on this terrible loss.

By Cindy

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Ruby you are so right, an extraordinary gentleman, I had such a crush on him when I entered my teens, I thought I would absolutely die of a broken heart when I learned he was married. My condolences to his wife, daughters, family and friends

By MARIA

I WAS VERY SADDENED TO HEAR OF PETER GRAVES DEATH AND I TOTALLY AGREE WITH RUBY, PETER GRAVES WAS EXTRAORDINARY. MY CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY.

By MandiP

How sad is this!!! Loved Peter Graves in almost everything he's done (including the B Horror films shown on late, late, late night TV). Condolences to his family, he was one of the top actors in Hollywood. Goodnight Mr. Phelps.

By Sonny Durazzo

Forget IMF & Airplane, when I was a kid in the 50's all I wanted was to move to his ranch on "Fury" & live that life.

By gmbp44

Oh, happy memories. Loved the show Fury.

By Rich

Very few people remember the show "Fury". One of my favorites. I have yet to be able to find it anywhere.
Rest in peace Peter Graves.

By k9sue

Ditto I loved Mr Graves on Fury,,,I have a bronze of a horse rearing up I call Fury...

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