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Peter Sallis

Acting 96 (deceased) years old Twickenham, England, UK ★ 0.7
Born: February 1, 1921
Died: June 2, 2017

Biography

Peter Sallis, OBE (February 1, 1921 – June 2, 2017) was an English actor and entertainer, well-known for his work on British television. Although he was born and brought up in London, his two most notable roles required him to adopt the accents and mannerisms of a Northerner.

Peter John Sallis was born on 1 February 1921 in Twickenham, Middlesex (now in Greater London). He was the only child of bank manager Harry Sallis (1889–1964) and Dorothy Amea Frances (née Barnard; 1891–1975).

His first big television role came in 1958 where he played the role of Samuel Pepys in the BBC serial The Diary of Samuel Pepys.

Sallis was best known for his role as the main character Norman Clegg in the long-running British TV comedy Last of the Summer Wine, set in a Yorkshire town. He was the longest serving cast member, appearing in all 295 episodes, and by the end of the show's run was the only one surviving from the programme's first episode in 1973. He also appeared in all 13 of the episodes of the prequel series First of the Summer Wine as Norman Clegg's father. He was also famous for providing the voice of Wallace in the Wallace and Gromit films, again using a northern accent. Sallis also starred alongside Richard Pearson, Michael Horden and David Jason in Cosgrove Hall's The Wind in the Willows (1984-1990) as the voice of Rat/Ratty.

In 1975 he appeared in the BBC Wales, TV play The Snowdropper as Spicer, a snowdropper that where's Overalls/Dungarees. In 1976 he played Mr. Gudgin/Arnold Gudgin in the children's series The Ghosts of Motley Hall (1976–78). The character Gudgin Sallis played in the series was a estate agent who did not want to see the hall fall into the wrong hands.

Sallis also appeared in the TV series Yanks Go Home (1976-1977) where he played Randell Todd in four episodes of the series. Around the same period, he starred alongside Northern comic actor David Roper in the ITV sitcom Leave it to Charlie (1978-1980) as Charlie's pessimistic boss. The programme ran for a total of 26 episodes over four series, ending in 1980. He also played the part of the ghost-hunter Milton Guest in the children's paranormal drama TV series The Clifton House Mystery (1978).

Sallis was married to Elaine Usher in 1957 until they eventually divorced in 1965. Sallis and Usher eventually reconciled and decided to come living together until 1999. Sallis continued to remain close to Usher until eventually she died on 1 January 2014 at the age of 81. They both had one son named Crispian Sallis who was born on 24 June 1959 who later became a British art director and set decorator. Sallis and Usher also had two grandchildren from Crispian. Sallis also lived with three small cats in a small cottage.

Description above from the Wikipedia article Peter Sallis, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Filmography

Acting Credits (288)

Access All Areas - The Making of Wallace and Gromit
Access All Areas - The Making of Wallace and Gromit Wallace (archive footage) 2024
Wallace & Gromit: The Complete Cracking Collection
Wallace & Gromit: The Complete Cracking Collection Wallace 2024
Comedy Classic: Keeping Up Appearances
Comedy Classic: Keeping Up Appearances Cleggy (archive footage, uncredited) 2023
Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs Self (archive) 2022
What We Were Watching
What We Were Watching Clegg (archive footage, uncredited) 2018
A Grand Night In: The Story of Aardman
A Grand Night In: The Story of Aardman Self - Voice of Wallace 2015
Aardman: A Cracking Collection
Aardman: A Cracking Collection Wallace (voice) 2015
Second Time Around: The Troughton Years
Second Time Around: The Troughton Years Reccoat (archive footage) 2012
The Lark Ascending
The Lark Ascending Self (uncredited) 2012
Wallace & Gromit's World of Invention
Wallace & Gromit's World of Invention Wallace (voice) 2010
Wallace & Gromit's World of Invention
Wallace & Gromit's World of Invention Wallace (voice) 2010
Orson Welles Over Europe
Orson Welles Over Europe Himself 2009
Living with Macular Disease
Living with Macular Disease Peter Sallis/Narrator Voice 2009
A Matter of Loaf and Death
A Matter of Loaf and Death Wallace (voice) 2008
British Film Forever
British Film Forever Self (as Peter Sallis OBE) 2007
Kingdom
Kingdom Cyril 2007
Gromit's Tail-Waggin' DVD
Gromit's Tail-Waggin' DVD Wallace (voice) 2006
Time Trumpet
Time Trumpet Clegg 2006
Time Trumpet
Time Trumpet Clegg (archive footage) 2006
Eureka
Eureka Guest (uncredited) 2006
How Wallace & Gromit Went to Hollywood
How Wallace & Gromit Went to Hollywood Self 2006
Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe
Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe Clegg (archive footage, uncredited) 2006
The Making of Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
The Making of Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Wallace (archive footage) 2006
Displacements
Displacements himself 2006
Colour Me Kubrick
Colour Me Kubrick Patient 2005
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Wallace / Hutch (voice) 2005
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy Norman Clegg (archive footage) (uncredited) 2005
Belonging
Belonging Nathan 2004
Britain's Best Sitcom
Britain's Best Sitcom Self 2004
Easy
Easy Man (uncredited) 2003
Comedy Connections
Comedy Connections Clegg (archive footage, uncredited) 2003
Comedy Connections
Comedy Connections Norman Clegg (archive footage, uncredited) 2003
Thora Hird Tribute
Thora Hird Tribute Self 2003
Harry Hill's TV Burp
Harry Hill's TV Burp Wallace (voice) 2002
Wallace & Gromit's Cracking Contraptions
Wallace & Gromit's Cracking Contraptions Wallace (voice) 2002
Wallace & Gromit's Cracking Contraptions
Wallace & Gromit's Cracking Contraptions Wallace (voice) 2002
Balamory
Balamory Man at Train Station (uncredited) 2002
Wallace & Gromit’s Cracking Contraptions: Behind the Scenes
Wallace & Gromit’s Cracking Contraptions: Behind the Scenes Wallace (archive footage) (uncredited) 2002
Then and Now
Then and Now Guest 2001
Sooty
Sooty (voice) (uncredited) 2001
The Incredible Adventures of Wallace & Gromit
The Incredible Adventures of Wallace & Gromit Wallace (Voice) 2001
Hotel!
Hotel! Radio Voice of Little Ashford Flying Club (Uncredited) 2001
Songs of Praise
Songs of Praise Guest 2001
Doctors
Doctors Arthur Weatherill 2000
Holby City
Holby City Lionel Davis 1999
The Amazing World of Wallace & Gromit
The Amazing World of Wallace & Gromit Wallace (Voice) (Archive Footage) 1999
Rex the Runt
Rex the Runt Wallace (voice) (uncredited) 1998
Everyday Readers
Everyday Readers Narrator (voice) 1998
Wallace & Gromit in A Grand Day Out
Wallace & Gromit in A Grand Day Out Wallace (Voice) 1998
Operation Good Guys
Operation Good Guys Minor Role (uncredited) 1997
Whatever You Want
Whatever You Want Clegg 1997
Light Lunch
Light Lunch Self 1997
Smillie's People
Smillie's People Self 1996
Wallace & Gromit: The Best of Aardman Animation
Wallace & Gromit: The Best of Aardman Animation Wallace 1996
A Close Shave
A Close Shave Wallace (voice) 1996
The National Television Awards
The National Television Awards Self 1995
Character Building
Character Building Wallace (voice) 1995
Room 101
Room 101 Norman Clegg (archive footage, uncredited) 1994
Room 101
Room 101 Wallace (archive footage, uncredited) 1994
Inside the Wrong Trousers
Inside the Wrong Trousers Wallace (archive footage, uncredited) 1993
The Wrong Trousers
The Wrong Trousers Wallace (voice) 1993
Korda: I Don't Grow on Trees: Part One
Korda: I Don't Grow on Trees: Part One Self - Interviewee 1993
The Crane
The Crane Man (uncredited) 1993
The Christmas Collection
The Christmas Collection Rat (voice) 1992
HBO First Look
HBO First Look Self 1992
Auntie's Bloomers
Auntie's Bloomers Self/Acting Role (uncredited) 1991
Noel's House Party
Noel's House Party Clegg 1991
Come Home Charlie and Face Them
Come Home Charlie and Face Them 1990
More Children's Holiday Favourites
More Children's Holiday Favourites Rat (voice) 1990
A Grand Day Out
A Grand Day Out Wallace (voice) 1990
Oh, Mr. Toad
Oh, Mr. Toad Rat 1990
The Wind in the Willows: A Tale of Two Toads
The Wind in the Willows: A Tale of Two Toads Rat (voice) 1989
More Children's Summer Stories
More Children's Summer Stories Rat (voice) 1989
Lollipop Children's Favourites - Volume 1
Lollipop Children's Favourites - Volume 1 Rat (voice) 1989
Lollipop Children's Favourites - Volume 2
Lollipop Children's Favourites - Volume 2 Rat (voice) 1989
Troldspejlet
Troldspejlet Wallace (archive footage) 1989
First of the Summer Wine
First of the Summer Wine 1988
Motormouth
Motormouth Wallace (Voice) 1988
Children's Favourites - Volume 1
Children's Favourites - Volume 1 Rat (voice) 1988
Sylvanian Families
Sylvanian Families Rabbit (voice, uncredited) 1987
The New Statesman
The New Statesman Sidney Bliss 1987
The Wind in the Willows: Winter Tales
The Wind in the Willows: Winter Tales Rat (voice) 1986
Open Air
Open Air Self 1986
A Dangerous Kind of Love
A Dangerous Kind of Love Mr. Walker 1986
The Secret Diaries of the Film Censors
The Secret Diaries of the Film Censors 1986
Rocky Hollow
Rocky Hollow Narrator (voice) 1985
Rocky Hollow
Rocky Hollow Narrator (voice) 1985
Royal Variety Performance 1984
Royal Variety Performance 1984 Clegg 1984
The Wind in the Willows
The Wind in the Willows Rat (voice) 1984
Strangers and Brothers
Strangers and Brothers Leonard March 1984
Getting Sam Home
Getting Sam Home Norman Clegg 1983
The Funny Side of Christmas
The Funny Side of Christmas Clegg 1982
Witness for the Prosecution
Witness for the Prosecution Carter 1982
The Kids International Show
The Kids International Show Clegg 1982
The Kamikaze Ground Staff Reunion Dinner
The Kamikaze Ground Staff Reunion Dinner Shushin 1981
Tales of the Unexpected: A Picture of a Place
Tales of the Unexpected: A Picture of a Place Solicitor 1980
Lady Killers
Lady Killers O'Brien 1980
She Loves Me
She Loves Me Ladislav Sipos 1979
Tales of the Unexpected
Tales of the Unexpected Solicitor 1979
You're Not Watching Me, Mummy
You're Not Watching Me, Mummy Leslie 1979
Room Service
Room Service Mr. Fellows 1979
Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982
Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982 Clegg 1978
628-E8
628-E8 Mirbeau 1978
The Clifton House Mystery
The Clifton House Mystery Milton Guest 1978
The Clifton House Mystery
The Clifton House Mystery 1978
Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?
Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? St. Claire 1978
Leave it to Charlie
Leave it to Charlie Arthur Simister, Alfred Simister 1978
Across a Crowded Room
Across a Crowded Room Cyril Smallpiece 1978
Full Circle
Full Circle Jeffrey Branscombe 1978
The South Bank Show
The South Bank Show Self 1978
The Obelisk
The Obelisk Ernest 1977
Murder Most English: A Flaxborough Chronicle
Murder Most English: A Flaxborough Chronicle Rodney Gloss 1977
The Val Doonican Music Show
The Val Doonican Music Show Self 1977
The Price of Coal, Part 2: Back to Reality
The Price of Coal, Part 2: Back to Reality Worker (uncredited) 1977
The Price of Coal, Part 1: Meet the People
The Price of Coal, Part 1: Meet the People Minor Role (uncredited) 1977
Raffles
Raffles 1977
The Winter Warrior
The Winter Warrior Deor 1976
Yanks Go Home
Yanks Go Home 1976
The Incredible Sarah
The Incredible Sarah Thierry 1976
The Daedalus Equations
The Daedalus Equations Major Venables 1976
The Ghosts of Motley Hall
The Ghosts of Motley Hall Mr Gudgin 1976
Rumpole of the Bailey
Rumpole of the Bailey 1975
Prometheus: The Life of Balzac
Prometheus: The Life of Balzac 1975
The Secret Agent
The Secret Agent Chief Inspector Heat 1975
The Snowdropper
The Snowdropper Spicer 1975
Back of Beyond
Back of Beyond Man (uncredited) 1974
Graceless Go I
Graceless Go I Mr. Wainwright 1974
Frankenstein: The True Story
Frankenstein: The True Story Priest 1974
Nightmare at 43 Hillcrest
Nightmare at 43 Hillcrest Man (uncredited) 1974
Late Night Drama
Late Night Drama Patient 1974
The Capone Investment
The Capone Investment Wheatfield 1974
Armchair Cinema
Armchair Cinema Benitet 1974
The Prison
The Prison Benitet 1974
Playhouse
Playhouse Maj. Venables 1974
Who Killed Lamb?
Who Killed Lamb? Lloyd 1974
The Pallisers
The Pallisers Mr Bonteen 1974
Frankenstein: The True Story
Frankenstein: The True Story Priest 1973
Beyond Our Means
Beyond Our Means Onslow 1973
Hitler: The Last Ten Days
Hitler: The Last Ten Days Banker #2 (uncredited) 1973
Song at Twilight
Song at Twilight Austin Melcroft 1973
Lady Killer
Lady Killer Man 1973
Frankenstein
Frankenstein Man (uncredited) 1973
Frankenstein
Frankenstein Man (uncredited) 1973
Last of the Summer Wine
Last of the Summer Wine Clegg 1973
Crown Court
Crown Court Gerald Prosser 1972
Crown Court
Crown Court Insp. George Storton 1972
The Reprieve
The Reprieve Cossack Horseman 1972
Spyder's Web
Spyder's Web Grovnik 1972
The Moonstone
The Moonstone Mr. Bruff 1972
The Moonstone
The Moonstone Mr. Buff 1972
The Bristol Entertainment
The Bristol Entertainment Water Seller / Coachman / Ameryk / Mayor / Captain Kimber / King Henry Voice 1971
Justice
Justice Coroner 1971
The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes
The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes Dr. Jervis 1971
The Persuaders!
The Persuaders! Piper 1971
Trial
Trial Almond 1971
Bel Ami
Bel Ami Norbert de Varenne 1971
Bel Ami
Bel Ami Norbert de Varenne 1971
Budgie
Budgie Peter Olliphant 1971
The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments Gerry 1971
The Railwayman's New Clothes
The Railwayman's New Clothes Lumley 1971
The Road Builder
The Road Builder Rev. Rupert Palafox 1971
The Hallelujah Handshake
The Hallelujah Handshake Minor Role (uncredited) 1970
Play for Today
Play for Today 1970
Menace
Menace Sonny Waters 1970
Marie Stopes: Sexual Revolutionary
Marie Stopes: Sexual Revolutionary Ernest Charles, KC 1970
Wuthering Heights
Wuthering Heights Mr. Shielders 1970
My Lover, My Son
My Lover, My Son Sir Sidney Brent 1970
Taste the Blood of Dracula
Taste the Blood of Dracula Samuel Paxton 1970
Sweeney Todd
Sweeney Todd Brogden / Mundel / Hopkins 1970
Catweazle
Catweazle Stuffy Gladstone 1970
Scream and Scream Again
Scream and Scream Again Schweitz 1970
The Reckoning
The Reckoning Keresley 1970
Kate
Kate Sammy Harrison 1970
Menace
Menace Narrator (voice) 1970
Paul Temple
Paul Temple 1969
Softly Softly: Task Force
Softly Softly: Task Force Lodge 1969
Softly Softly: Task Force
Softly Softly: Task Force Edward Letheridge 1969
Softly Softly: Task Force
Softly Softly: Task Force Professor Dowell 1969
The Ladies: Joan
The Ladies: Joan Mr. Street 1969
Hadleigh
Hadleigh Dakin 1969
Hadleigh
Hadleigh Strapper Strapton 1969
The Big Flame
The Big Flame Man (uncredited) 1969
Maigret at Bay
Maigret at Bay (uncredited) 1969
Cream: Farewell Concert
Cream: Farewell Concert Guest 1969
60 Minutes
60 Minutes Guest 1968
Wind Versus Polygamy
Wind Versus Polygamy Man (uncredited) 1968
Inadmissible Evidence
Inadmissible Evidence Hudson 1968
Charlie Bubbles
Charlie Bubbles Solicitor 1968
The Drummer and the Bloke
The Drummer and the Bloke Eric 1968
Doctor Who: The Ice Warriors
Doctor Who: The Ice Warriors Penley 1967
Omnibus
Omnibus Mirbeau 1967
Omnibus
Omnibus Guest 1967
Omnibus
Omnibus Self 1967
Omnibus
Omnibus 1967
ITV Playhouse
ITV Playhouse Leslie 1967
ITV Playhouse
ITV Playhouse Patient 1967
Callan
Callan Routledge 1967
The Bible: In the Beginning...
The Bible: In the Beginning... Minor Role (uncredited) 1966
Mystery and Imagination
Mystery and Imagination Brogden / Mundel / Hopkins 1966
Softly, Softly
Softly, Softly 1966
BBC Play of the Month
BBC Play of the Month (uncredited) 1965
Call My Bluff
Call My Bluff Self 1965
Thirty-Minute Theatre
Thirty-Minute Theatre Lumley 1965
Knock on Any Door
Knock on Any Door Stannage 1965
Rapture
Rapture Armand 1965
The Troubleshooters
The Troubleshooters Henry Wynn 1965
Public Eye
Public Eye Eddie Meadows 1965
Public Eye
Public Eye Colin Reynolds 1965
The Sullavan Brothers
The Sullavan Brothers Kenneth K. Hirst 1964
Clash by Night
Clash by Night Victor 1964
Drama '64/Studio '64: A Wicked World
Drama '64/Studio '64: A Wicked World Ronald Green 1964
Don't Ever Talk to Clocks
Don't Ever Talk to Clocks 1964
The Third Secret
The Third Secret Lawrence Jacks 1964
Doctor Who
Doctor Who Penley 1963
Festival
Festival Captain of the Fire Brigade 1963
Festival
Festival Romainville 1963
The V.I.P.s
The V.I.P.s Doctor 1963
Drama '63: A Well Dressed Man
Drama '63: A Well Dressed Man Philip Mallard 1963
The Mouse on the Moon
The Mouse on the Moon Russian Delegate 1963
Into the Dark
Into the Dark Alfred Purdie 1963
The Chem. Lab. Mystery
The Chem. Lab. Mystery Mad Willy 1963
Heart to Heart
Heart to Heart Frank Godsell 1962
Zero One
Zero One Major Konel 1962
I Thank a Fool
I Thank a Fool Sleazy Doctor 1962
Crying Down the Lane
Crying Down the Lane Champion 1962
Z-Cars
Z-Cars 1962
Z-Cars
Z-Cars Seaton 1962
Candida
Candida Rev. Alexander Mill 1961
The Day the Earth Caught Fire
The Day the Earth Caught Fire Man (uncredited) 1961
A Taste of Honey
A Taste of Honey Man (uncredited) 1961
A Call on Kuprin: Part 2
A Call on Kuprin: Part 2 Hesketh-Payne 1961
The Curse of the Werewolf
The Curse of the Werewolf Don Enrique 1961
Amelia
Amelia 1961
Drama 61-67
Drama 61-67 Philip Mallard 1961
Drama 61-67
Drama 61-67 Roland Green 1961
No Love for Johnnie
No Love for Johnnie M.P. 1961
The Zoo Story
The Zoo Story Peter 1961
The Avengers
The Avengers Hal Anderson 1961
The Adventures of Alice
The Adventures of Alice Tweedledee 1960
Maigret
Maigret 1960
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning Man in Suit (uncredited) 1960
The Poet
The Poet Giulio 1960
The Millionairess
The Millionairess Minor Role (uncredited) 1960
Sunday-Night Play
Sunday-Night Play Hesketh-Payne 1960
Sunday-Night Play
Sunday-Night Play Harry Shell 1960
Danger Man
Danger Man John Gordon 1960
Doctor in Love
Doctor in Love Mr. Luke (uncredited) 1960
Twentieth Century Theatre: Colombe
Twentieth Century Theatre: Colombe Robinet 1960
International Detective
International Detective Eugene Payas 1959
Brand
Brand Doctor & Provost 1959
The Scapegoat
The Scapegoat Customs Official 1959
World Theatre
World Theatre Barere, Simon, Prisoner 1959
World Theatre
World Theatre Doctor & Provost 1959
The Doctor's Dilemma
The Doctor's Dilemma Secretary at Picture Gallery 1959
Dance Date
Dance Date 1959
Cinderella
Cinderella Baron Aristide de Pennilac 1958
A Midsummer Night's Dream
A Midsummer Night's Dream Snug 1958
A Night to Remember
A Night to Remember Minor Role (uncredited) 1958
The Diary of Samuel Pepys
The Diary of Samuel Pepys Samuel Pepys 1958
Anastasia
Anastasia Grischa (uncredited) 1956
Armchair Theatre
Armchair Theatre Alfred Purdie 1956
Armchair Theatre
Armchair Theatre Mr. Pender 1956
Armchair Theatre
Armchair Theatre Onslow 1956
Armchair Theatre
Armchair Theatre 1956
Armchair Theatre
Armchair Theatre Sam Carter 1956
Kitty Clive
Kitty Clive John Hall 1956
The Inveterate Gambler
The Inveterate Gambler The Burglar 1956
Safe and Sound
Safe and Sound Squishy Taylor 1956
Quay South
Quay South Corporal Foster 1955
The Concert
The Concert Daniel Kevin (as Pete Sallis) 1955
The Pickpocket
The Pickpocket Chippy Criggs 1955
Strange Experiences
Strange Experiences Chippy Griggs 1955
Strange Experiences
Strange Experiences Squishy Taylor 1955
Strange Experiences
Strange Experiences The Burglar 1955
This Is Your Life
This Is Your Life Self 1955
This Is Your Life
This Is Your Life Self - Filmed Tribute 1955
Moby Dick—Rehearsed
Moby Dick—Rehearsed A Stage Manger /Flask 1955
Fcb TV Show No.1
Fcb TV Show No.1 Squishy Taylor 1955
Nineteen Eighty-Four
Nineteen Eighty-Four Man (uncredited) 1954
Child's Play
Child's Play Bill - grocery merchant 1954
Stranger from Venus
Stranger from Venus Soldier (uncredited) 1954
The Oscars
The Oscars Self 1953
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Hallmark Hall of Fame Carter 1951
Mr. Denning Drives North
Mr. Denning Drives North Man (uncredited) 1951
Sunday Night Theatre
Sunday Night Theatre Snug 1950
Sunday Night Theatre
Sunday Night Theatre J. G. 1950
The Loves of Joanna Godden
The Loves of Joanna Godden Man (uncredited) 1947
Esther
Esther Self

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