Peter Graves Passes Away at 93

The star of the Mission: Impossible TV show died of natural causes.
The star of the Mission: Impossible TV show died of natural causes.
In a story from Variety, actor Peter Graves died of natural causes in Pacific Palisades, CA, this Sunday. He was 83.

Some of Graves most notable work included starring in the show Mission: Impossible and the films Stalag 17 and Airplane.

Graves initially replaced Steven Hill as the lead character in CBS' Mission: Impossible in 1967. He was leader of the Impossible Missions Force for six seasons. He also appeared in the 1988 remake of the series. Graves later starred as Capt. Clarence Oveur in Airplane and its sequel.

He was born Peter Aurness in Minneapolis. He became a radio announcer at age 16. After being in the Air Force, he studied drama at the University of Minnesota. Shortly after this he went to Hollywood. His older brother James Arness was already the star of Gunsmoke. Graves' first foray into film was 1951's Rogue River.

In 1996 he turned down a chance to co-star with Tom Cruise in the big screen version of Mission:Impossible.

He almost didn't do Airplane in 1980. However, he found out that Leslie Nielsen was going to be in the film. Then he met Jerry and David Zucker and that convinced him to do it.

Graves is survived by his brother James Arness, his wife, actress Joan Endress; and three daughters.


Sources: Variety

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Comments (19)

  1. Vanboy

    One of the greats. Excellent in the original MI series. Saw every episode. Farewell Mr. Graves. You are very respected and will be missed by all.

    "Tommy, do you like gladiator movies"?

    2 years agoby @vanboyFlag

  2. Moviedude21

    Loved him in "Airplane". I've seen a few of the MI:TS.

    2 years agoby @moviedude21Flag

  3. Lycan

    Last time i seen him was in MIB 2. His role in Airplane! was awesome

    2 years agoby @grand-makwaFlag

  4. Movie_jedi

    R.I.P Capt. Clarence Oveur. "we have clearance clarence, roger roger, check our vector victor"

    2 years agoby @movie-jediFlag

  5. Draktyr

    You'll be missed, Peter. RIP. "You ever seen a grown man naked?" :)

    2 years agoby @draktyrFlag

  6. Jefferson

    Dear MovieWeb,

    Please check your math next time you cut-and-paste a story; Peter Graves was born in 1926. He was therefore 83 years old, not 93.

    Best Regards,

    Jefferson

    2 years agoby @jeffersonFlag

  7. slysnide

    Born 18 March 1926; Died 14 March 2010. Incorrect headline.

    I never saw the original "Mission: Impossible" series, but do know that numerous cast members were outraged by the decision of the 1996 filmmakers to make Phelps the villain. Though he'll probably mostly be remembered for his pedophilia comments in "Airplane!" (1980). RIP.

    "Joey, have you ever seen a grown man naked?"

    2 years agoby @slysnideFlag

  8. CelluloidDreams

    Captain Oveur: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?

    2 years agoby @2movieguysFlag

  9. CelluloidKid

    Movie Web ...Corret info:

    Star of the classic "Mission: Impossible" and the spoof Airplane!, actor Peter Graves passed away Sunday at the age of 83. Although he never had a full fledged feature film career, he was a mainstay in Hollywood with his distinctive voice.

    Born Peter Aurness on March 18, 1926

    2 years agoby @celluloidkidFlag

  10. CelluloidKid

    Do not grieve at the passing of mortality, for life's but a thing of terrible gravity. And the planets gravitate around you, and the stars shall dance about you, and the angels in heaven adore you,and the saints all stand and applaud you.S o faraway, so faraway and yet so close.

    Nick Cave, "Far Away, So Close"

    2 years agoby @celluloidkidFlag

  11. Mutant

    Looks like the article writer goofed

    2 years agoby @zenderFlag

  12. Stiles

    Oveur and out

    2 years agoby @stilesFlag

  13. Diaigma

    This guy always managed to crack me up.
    So long and thanks for the laughs, good buddy.

    2 years agoby @diaigmaFlag

  14. spynet315

    Biography!

    2 years agoby @spynet315Flag

  15. T.Clark

    Headline says 93, article says 83.

    2 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag

  16. Lacakid

    YOUR HEADLINE IS WRONG HE IS 83!!!! NOT 93!!! PLEASE CORRECT IT!!!

    2 years agoby @lacakidFlag

  17. The Narrator: The Better Man

    Well I am going to be honest unlike the random guy that just says, "He will be missed." or "I loved him" or R.I.P." Another legend gone." etc.

    This guy wasn't that famous, and he wasn't that great of a star. However he was a good entertainer for what he did, and as a person alone, I say R.I.P.

    2 years agoby @narratorFlag

  18. isa98

    R.I.P Graves!

    2 years agoby @isa98Flag

  19. JonSpidey07

    oh no :(
    I loved this guy

    he made so many great appearances

    RIP Mr. Graves

    2 years agoby @jonspidey07Flag

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