Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Peter Sellers Biography

Birth Name:Richard Henry Sellers

Birth Place:Southsea, England, United Kingdom

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Writer, Director, Producer, Editor, Music department

Fast Facts

Appointed a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
During World War II, he toured the UK with an Air Force entertainment troupe
Developed his improvisational skills by listening to early radio comedy shows in college
Quote: "I'm a classic example of all humorists - only funny when I'm working․"
Quote: "If you ask me to play myself, I will not know what to do․ I do not know who or what I am․"
Frequently parodies characters in a position of authority, including soldiers or policemen
Often takes on the role of multiple characters in a film by using different accents and disguises
Is regarded as the savior of "The Producers" when he took out newspaper ads to promote the film
In 1964, he became the first male to appear on the cover of Playboy Magazine
Is the first actor to be nominated for an Academy Award for portraying multiple characters in a single film
Was considered for the role of titular role in 1971's "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory․"

Awards

1959Golden Gate Award-Best Fiction Short: winner
1960Oscar-Best Short Subject, Live Action Subjects: nominated
1960BAFTA Film Award-Best British Actor: winner
1962Prize San Sebastián-Best Actor: winner
1963BAFTA Film Award-Best British Actor: nominated
1963Golden Globe-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
1965Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1965BAFTA Film Award-Best British Actor: nominated
1965Golden Globe-Best Actor - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1965Golden Laurel-Comedy Performance, Male: nominated
1966Golden Laurel-Comedy Performance, Male: nominated
1970Golden Laurel-Male Comedy Performance: nominated
1976Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1977Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Actor: winner
1977Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1978Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in Variety or Music: nominated
1979NBR Award-Best Actor: winner
1979NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1980Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1980Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: winner
1980NSFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1980Stinker Award-Worst Sense of Direction (Stop them before they direct again!): nominated
1980Stinker Award-Worst Actor: nominated
1981BAFTA Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
1981Fotogramas de Plata-Best Foreign Performer (Mejor intérprete de cine extranjero): winner
1981Special Achievement Award-: winner
2021OFTA Film Hall of Fame-Character: winner
2024OFTA Film Hall of Fame-Character: winner