Biography
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.
Acted in 113
2000s
- 2008
- 2005
Riot at the Rite
Patron
- 2003
The Last Detective
Colonel Colin Ingate · 1 episode
1990s
- 1999
Janice Beard 45 WPM
Sean's Father
- 1997
- 1994
Monk's Hood
Abbot Heribert
The Leper of St. Giles
Abbot Heribert
The Sanctuary Sparrow
Abbot Heribert
One Corpse Too Many
Abbot Heribert
- 1992
A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia
Maitland
- 1990
1980s
- 1989
- 1988
The Importance of Being Earnest
Gribsby
- 1987
Never Say Die
TV
The Trial of Klaus Barbie
Frossard
- 1986
King of the Ghetto
Vicar · 4 episodes
Artists and Models
Savigny · 1 episode
- 1985
- 1984
The Prisoner of Zenda
Marshal Strakencz · 2 episodes
Androcles and the Lion
Caesar
- 1982
- 1981
United Kingdom
Commissioner
Into the Labyrinth
Kubla Khan · 1 episode
The Chinese Detective
TV
- 1980
Little Lord Fauntleroy
Reverend Muldaur
Rabbit Pie Day
The Colonel
1970s
- 1979
Churchill and the Generals
Gen. Sir John Dill
- 1978
- 1977
Anna Karenina
TV
Three Piece Suite
General Moreau (segment "Entrance Fee") · 1 episode
- 1976
Bill Brand
Cedric Maddocks · 5 episodes
- 1975
Doctor Who: Pyramids of Mars
Dr. Warlock
Sky
TV
- 1974
- 1973
Beyond Our Means
Dr. Charteris
Gawain and the Green Knight
Pilgrim
- 1972
Arthur of the Britons
TV
That's Your Funeral
1st Funeral Director
The Long Chase
Morrison · 5 episodes
What Became of Jack and Jill?
Dickson
- 1971
Taste of Evil
Mackinlay
- 1970
Manhunt
Martin · 1 episode
1960s
- 1969
Tower of London: The Innocent
Archbishop
The Gold Robbers
AC Farr · 4 episodes
Immortality Inc
Hull
All at Sea
Mr. Gordon
- 1968
The Shoes of the Fisherman
English Cardinal #1
- 1967
Half Hour Story
Mr. Fergus · 1 episode
- 1966
The Informer
Richard Edwards · 1 episode
- 1965
Stranger in the Family
Charles Wilson
Help!
Jeweller
- 1964
The July Plot
General Friedrich Olbright
King and Country
Colonel
Redcap
Colonel Matherson · 1 episode
The Third Secret
Dr Leo Whitset
- 1963
- 1962
- 1961
- 1960
1950s
- 1959
Mystery in the Mine
Movie
- 1958
Rockets Galore
Scientist
The Government Inspector
School Superintendent
- 1957
Just My Luck
Mr. Gilbert Weaver
The Smallest Show on Earth
Actor in The Mystery of Hell Valley (uncredited)
- 1956
Foreign Intrigue
Brown
Peril for the Guy
Mr. Ritter
- 1954
Sherlock Holmes
TV
- 1953
Saadia
Leader Mokhazenis
The Clue of the Missing Ape
His Excellency
The Sword and the Rose
Sir Edwin Caskoden
- 1952
The Hour of 13
Cummings
- 1950
Golden Salamander
Aribi
1930s
- 1937
Farewell Again
Minor Role
- 1934
Tell Me If It Hurts
Waiter