Peter Copley
Acting
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.
TV Shows(53)
The Colour of Magic
Greyhald Spold
2008
The Last Detective
Colonel Colin Ingate
2003
Wives and Daughters
Robinson
1999
Jonathan Creek
Eric
1997
Cadfael
Abbot Heribert
1994
One Foot in the Grave
1990
Agatha Christie's Poirot
Burgoyne
1989
Never Say Die
1987
Casualty
Dan Woods
1986
King of the Ghetto
Vicar
1986
Artists and Models
Savigny
1986
Lovejoy
Harold Richards
1986
Theatre Night
Gribsby
1985
The Prisoner of Zenda
Marshal Strakencz
1984
The Bill
1984
The Chinese Detective
1981
Tales of the Unexpected
Man at Railway Station
1979
Anna Karenina
1977
The New Avengers
Prof. Waterlow
1976
Bill Brand
Cedric Maddocks
1976
Survivors
Dr. Bronson
1975
Sky
1975
Father Brown
1974
Fall of Eagles
Bethmann-Hollweg
1974
Arthur of the Britons
1972
Crown Court
Sir Peter Cutforth
1972
The Long Chase
Morrison
1972
Justice
Wigmore
1971
You're Only Young Twice
1971
Doomwatch
Admiral Sir Richard Tranton
1970
Manhunt
Martin
1970
Paul Temple
1969
Department S
The Auctioneer
1969
The Gold Robbers
Asst. Commissioner Farr
1969
The Champions
Antrobus
1968
The Expert
Hillard
1968
Callan
1967
The Informer
Richard Edwards
1966
BBC Play of the Month
The Home Inspector
1965
Out of the Unknown
Charles Wilson
1965
The Troubleshooters
MacLaren
1965
Redcap
Colonel Matherson
1964
The Wednesday Play
Gen. Friedrich Olbright
1964
Thorndyke
1964
Theatre 625
Seytfert, Counsel for the Prosecution
1964
Doctor Who
Dr. Warlock
1963
The Saint
Don Morland
1962
Z-Cars
1962
The Avengers
Henry Barker
1961
Maigret
Xavier Marton
1960
No Hiding Place
1959
Sherlock Holmes
1954
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Dr. Harrison
1951
Movies(66)
Riot at the Rite
Patron
2005
Oliver Twist
Dining Hall Master
2005
Janice Beard 45 WPM
Sean's Father
1999
Monk's Hood
Abbot Heribert
1994
The Leper of St. Giles
Abbot Heribert
1994
The Sanctuary Sparrow
Abbot Heribert
1994
One Corpse Too Many
Abbot Heribert
1994
A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia
Maitland
1992
The Importance of Being Earnest
Gribsby
1988
Empire of the Sun
British Prisoner
1987
The Trial of Klaus Barbie
Frossard
1987
King of the Ghetto
Vicar
1986
Androcles and the Lion
Caesar
1984
Witness for the Prosecution
Dr. Harrison
1982
United Kingdom
Commissioner
1981
Little Lord Fauntleroy
Reverend Muldaur
1980
Rabbit Pie Day
The Colonel
1980
Churchill and the Generals
Gen. Sir John Dill
1979
The Black Panther
1977
Shout at the Devil
Admiral Howe
1976
Hennessy
Home Secretary
1975
Doctor Who: Pyramids of Mars
Dr. Warlock
1975
Beyond Our Means
Dr. Charteris
1973
Gawain and the Green Knight
Pilgrim
1973
That's Your Funeral
1st Funeral Director
1972
What Became of Jack and Jill?
Dickson
1972
Taste of Evil
Mackinlay
1971
Jane Eyre
John
1970
Walk a Crooked Path
1969
Mosquito Squadron
Mr. Scott
1969
Tower of London: The Innocent
Archbishop
1969
Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed
Principal
1969
Immortality Inc
Hull
1969
All at Sea
Mr. Gordon
1969
The Shoes of the Fisherman
English Cardinal #1
1968
Quatermass and the Pit
Howell
1967
The Investigation
Counsel for the Prosecution
1967
The Devil's Eggshell
The Home Secretary
1966
Don't Utter a Note
Vicar
1966
Stranger in the Family
Charles Wilson
1965
Help!
Jeweller
1965
The Knack... and How to Get It
Picture Owner
1965
The Man Who Came to Die
Dr. Clarkeson
1965
The July Plot
General Friedrich Olbright
1964
King and Country
Colonel
1964
The Third Secret
Dr Leo Whitset
1964
Victim
Paul Mandrake
1961
Mystery in the Mine
1959
Rockets Galore
Scientist
1958
The Government Inspector
School Superintendent
1958
Just My Luck
Mr. Gilbert Weaver
1957
The End Begins
Tom Jarrow
1957
The Man Without a Body
Leslie
1957
The Smallest Show on Earth
Actor in The Mystery of Hell Valley (uncredited)
1957
Time Without Pity
Prison Chaplain
1957
The Film That Never Was
1957
Foreign Intrigue
Brown
1956
Peril for the Guy
Mr. Ritter
1956
Saadia
Leader Mokhazenis
1953
The Clue of the Missing Ape
His Excellency
1953
The Sword and the Rose
Sir Edwin Caskoden
1953
The Hour of 13
Cummings
1952
The Card
P. Shillitoe (uncredited)
1952
Golden Salamander
Aribi
1950
Farewell Again
Minor Role
1937
Tell Me If It Hurts
Waiter
1934