Peter Copley
Known for: 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.
Filmography
Series
Agatha Christie's Poirot
Burgoyne
1989
Series
Doctor Who
Dr. Warlock
1963
Series
The Avengers
Henry Barker
1961
Series
The Avengers
Sparshott
1961
Series
Casualty
Dan Woods
1986
Series
Casualty
Hugh Phipps
1986
Series
The Saint
Don Morland
1962
Series
BBC Play of the Month
The Home Inspector
1965
Series
Crown Court
Sir Peter Cutforth
1972
Series
Crown Court
His Honour Judge Edmonds
1972
Series
Theatre 625
Seytfert, Counsel for the Prosecution
1964
Series
Theatre 625
Hector McKellar
1964
Series
Tales of the Unexpected
Man at Railway Station
1979
Series
The Wednesday Play
Gen. Friedrich Olbright
1964
Series
The Wednesday Play
Roger Gibbs
1964
Series
Z-Cars
1962
Series
The Bill
1984
Series
Maigret
Xavier Marton
1960
Series
No Hiding Place
1959
Series
The Champions
Antrobus
1968
Series
Jonathan Creek
Eric
1997
Series
Lovejoy
Harold Richards
1986
Series
Cadfael
Abbot Heribert
1994
Series
The New Avengers
Prof. Waterlow
1976
Series
The Expert
Hillard
1968
Series
Justice
Wigmore
1971
Film
Empire of the Sun
British Prisoner
1987
Series
The Colour of Magic
Greyhald Spold
2008
Series
Out of the Unknown
Charles Wilson
1965
Series
Out of the Unknown
Hull
1965
Series
Out of the Unknown
Mackinlay
1965
Series
The Troubleshooters
MacLaren
1965
Series
Paul Temple
1969
Series
Doomwatch
Admiral Sir Richard Tranton
1970
Series
Department S
The Auctioneer
1969
Series
Callan
1967
Series
One Foot in the Grave
1990
Series
Survivors
Dr. Bronson
1975
Series
Wives and Daughters
Robinson
1999
Series
Manhunt
Martin
1970
Film
Oliver Twist
Dining Hall Master
2005
Series
Fall of Eagles
Bethmann-Hollweg
1974
Series
Father Brown
Reverend John Walters
1974
Series
Sherlock Holmes
1954
Series
Redcap
Colonel Matherson
1964
Series
The Informer
Richard Edwards
1966
Series
The Last Detective
Colonel Colin Ingate
2003
Series
Bill Brand
Cedric Maddocks
1976
Series
Half Hour Story
Mr. Fergus
1967
Series
Arthur of the Britons
1972
Film
Little Lord Fauntleroy
Reverend Muldaur
1980
Series
Theatre Night
Gribsby
1985
Film
Help!
Jeweller
1965
Series
Anna Karenina
1977
Armchair 30
Mr. Justice Hobbin
1973
Imperial Palace
Emile Cousin
1969
Series
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Dr. Harrison
1951
Series
The Chinese Detective
1981
Film
The Shoes of the Fisherman
English Cardinal #1
1968
Film
Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed
Principal
1969
Film
Quatermass and the Pit
Howell
1967
Series
The Long Chase
Morrison
1972
Knock on Any Door
Cedric Pritchard
1965
Film
Witness for the Prosecution
Dr. Harrison
1982
Film
Victim
Paul Mandrake
1961
Film
Time Without Pity
Prison Chaplain
1957
Film
Janice Beard 45 WPM
Sean's Father
1999
Film
The Knack... and How to Get It
Picture Owner
1965
Film
Golden Salamander
Aribi
1950
Film
Shout at the Devil
Admiral Howe
1976
Film
Jane Eyre
John
1970
Film
Mosquito Squadron
Mr. Scott
1969
The Foundation
Dr. Richard Montagu
1977
Series
The Prisoner of Zenda
Marshal Strakencz
1984
Film
United Kingdom
Commissioner
1981
Film
The Card
P. Shillitoe (uncredited)
1952
Film
Hennessy
Home Secretary
1975
Series
Sky
1975
Series
Artists and Models
Savigny
1986
Series
The Gold Robbers
AC Farr
1969
Film
Foreign Intrigue
Brown
1956
Never Say Die
1987
Film
The Importance of Being Earnest
Gribsby
1988
Film
King and Country
Colonel
1964
Film
The Trial of Klaus Barbie
Frossard
1987
You're Only Young Twice
1971
Film
Gawain and the Green Knight
Pilgrim
1973
Thorndyke
Dr. John Evelyn Thorndyke
1964
Film
Doctor Who: Pyramids of Mars
Dr. Warlock
1975
Film
The Sanctuary Sparrow
Abbot Heribert
1994
Film
The Sword and the Rose
Sir Edwin Caskoden
1953
Film
The Black Panther
1977
Film
A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia
Maitland
1992
Film
That's Your Funeral
1st Funeral Director
1972
Film
The Smallest Show on Earth
Actor in The Mystery of Hell Valley (uncredited)
1957
Film
The Third Secret
Dr Leo Whitset
1964
The Dragon's Opponent
Dr. Gough
1973
Film
Monk's Hood
Abbot Heribert
1994
Film
The Clue of the Missing Ape
His Excellency
1953
Film
Immortality Inc
Hull
1969
Film
Churchill and the Generals
Gen. Sir John Dill
1979
Film
Farewell Again
Minor Role
1937
Series
King of the Ghetto
Vicar
1986
Film
Androcles and the Lion
Caesar
1984
Film
Taste of Evil
Mackinlay
1971
Film
Rockets Galore
Scientist
1958
Film
Just My Luck
Mr. Gilbert Weaver
1957
The Devil's Eggshell
The Home Secretary
1966
Film
The Hour of 13
Cummings
1952
Film
Saadia
Leader Mokhazenis
1953
The Man Who Came to Die
Dr. Clarkeson
1965
Film
King of the Ghetto
Vicar
1986
Film
What Became of Jack and Jill?
Dickson
1972
Film
The Man Without a Body
Leslie
1957
Film
Beyond Our Means
Dr. Charteris
1973
Film
One Corpse Too Many
Abbot Heribert
1994
Film
Riot at the Rite
Patron
2005
Film
The Government Inspector
School Superintendent
1958
The Film That Never Was
1957
Film
Stranger in the Family
Charles Wilson
1965
Film
Peril for the Guy
Mr. Ritter
1956
Film
Tower of London: The Innocent
Archbishop
1969
Walk a Crooked Path
1969
Film
All at Sea
Mr. Gordon
1969
Film
The Leper of St. Giles
Abbot Heribert
1994
Film
The July Plot
General Friedrich Olbright
1964
Film
Mystery in the Mine
1959
The End Begins
Tom Jarrow
1957
Film
Rabbit Pie Day
The Colonel
1980
The Investigation
Counsel for the Prosecution
1967
Don't Utter a Note
Vicar
1966
Film
Tell Me If It Hurts
Waiter
1934