Peter Cook
Birthday: Born in 1937-11-17 in Torquay, Devon, England, UK
Deathday: 1995-01-09
Peter Edward Cook was an English satirist, writer and comedian. An extremely influential figure in modern British comedy, he is regarded as the leading light of the British satire boom of the 1960s. He has been described by Stephen Fry as "the funniest man who ever drew breath" although Cook's work was also controversial. Cook is closely associated with anti-establishment comedy that emerged in Britain and the USA in the late 1950s.
TV Credits
Top of the Pops
Character: Self
The biggest stars, the most iconic performances, the most outrageous outfits – it’s Britain’s number one pop show....
Room 101
Character: Self
Fast-moving game show meets talk show, which sees Frank Skinner refereeing three celebrities each week as they compete to banish their top peeve or worst nightmare to the depths of Room 101....
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Character: Self
A series of benefit shows staged initially in the United Kingdom to raise funds for the human rights organisation Amnesty International. The shows started in 1976 featuring popular British comedians but later included leading musicians and actors. The Secret Policeman's Ball shows are credited by many prominent entertainers with having galvanised them to become involved with Amnesty and other social and political causes in succeeding years....
Blackadder
Character: Richard III
Black Adder traces the deeply cynical and self-serving lineage of various Edmund Blackadders throughout British history, from the muck of the Middle Ages to the frontline of the First World War....
The Kenny Everett Television Show
Character: The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
Sketch comedy show starring Kenny Everett....
The Mind of David Berglas
Character:
David Berglas is psychological illusionist and mentalist. In the UK he caused a sensation with his Channel 4 series The Mind of David Berglas, aired in 1986, where he interviewed and entertained celebrity guests including Omar Sharif, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland, Peter Cook and Max Bygraves....
Revolver
Character: Self - Host
Revolver is a British music TV series on ITV that ran for one series only, of eight episodes, in 1978. It was produced by ATV. The series producer was Mickie Most, who was inspired to make the programme after he saw an interview with Top of the Pops' producer Robin Nash, in which he boasted that TOTP was a music programme that the whole family could enjoy together. Most set out to make a show which was the antithesis of that, and which featured live music performances most closely related to th...
Saturday Night Live
Character: Self - Host
A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The show's comedy sketches, which parody contemporary culture and politics, are performed by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer cast members. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest, who usually delivers an opening monologue and performs in sketches with the cast, and features performances by a musical guest....
An Audience with...
Character: Self
An Audience with... is a British entertainment television show produced by London Weekend Television, in which a host, usually a singer or comedian, performs for an invited audience of celebrity guests, interspersed with questions from the audience, in a light hearted revue/tribute style....
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Character: Self
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night. For its first ten years, Carson's Tonight Show was based in New York City with occasional trips to Burbank, California; in May 1972, the show moved permanently to Burbank, California. In 2002, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was ranked #12 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time....
Have I Got News for You
Character: Self
Hilarious, totally-irreverent, near-slanderous political quiz show, based mainly on news stories from the last week or so, that leaves no party, personality or action unscathed in pursuit of laughs....
The Best of... What's Left of... Not Only... But Also
Character:
Pete and Dud reunite after 20 years apart to introduce a six part trip to memory lane. Of all the material from their 1965-1970 television shows which had not been wiped by the British Broadcasting Corporation, the two of them selected their favourite sketches and routines to be broadcast once more for the benefit of an entirely new generation....
Gone to Seed
Character: Wesley Willis
The Plant family has run a garden centre in Rotherhithe since Dickens’ time, surviving both war and redevelopment. But now, family rivalry threatens to poison their unlikely paradise when matriarch Mag refuses to hand over control to her triplet children. Frumpy Hilda has only one passion in life: Milwall FC. Country and Western singer Monty dreams of turning the run-down nursery into a floral oasis in the heart of Docklands, whilst his one-eyed jobless builder and part-time wrestler Winston doe...
The Dick Cavett Show
Character: Self - Guest
The Dick Cavett Show has been the title of several talk shows hosted by Dick Cavett on various television networks....
The Mike Douglas Show
Character: Self
The Mike Douglas Show is an American daytime television talk show hosted by Mike Douglas that originally aired only in the Cleveland area during much of its first two years on the air. It then went into syndication in 1963 and remained on television until 1982. It was distributed by Westinghouse Broadcasting and for much of its run, originated from studios of two of the company's TV stations in Cleveland and Philadelphia....
The Comic Strip Presents...
Character: Mr. Jolly
The Comic Strip is a group of British comedians, who came to prominence in the 1980s. They are known for their television series The Comic Strip Presents... which was labelled as an example of alternative comedy. The core members are Adrian Edmondson, Dawn French, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer, Peter Richardson, Jennifer Saunders and Alexei Sayle with frequent appearances by Keith Allen, Robbie Coltrane and others....
Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Character: Self
An un-scripted comedy show in which four guest performers improvise their way through a series of games, many of which rely on audience suggestions....
Omnibus
Character: Self (archive footage)
Omnibus was an arts-based BBC television documentary series, broadcast mainly on BBC1 in the United Kingdom. The programme was the successor to the long-running arts-based series 'Monitor'. It ran from 1967 until 2003, usually being transmitted on Sunday evenings. During its 35-year history, the programme won 12 Bafta awards. Among the series' best remembered documentaries are Cracked Actor, a profile of David Bowie, and Rene Magritte, a graduate film by David Wheatley, 'Madonna: Behind the Am...
Movie Credits
Whoops Apocalypse
Character: Sir Mortimer Chris (Prime Minister)
When a small British owned island in the Caribbean is invaded and the world's most dangerous terrorist kidnaps a member of the Royal family, the countdown to World War 3 begins. If anyone can prevent the oncoming apocalypse it's the American President, but her closest ally the British Prime Minister appears to have gone stark raving mad....
Mr Jolly Lives Next Door
Character: Mr Jolly
A couple of bored escorts find themselves suddenly involved with a hit gang and an ax murderer - Mr. Jolly. Gratuitous violence, rivers of blood, and maximum hilarity, all rolled into one....
The Adventures of Barry McKenzie
Character: Dominic
Barry McKenzie sets off for England with his aunt, Edna Everage, to advance his cultural education. Bazza is an innocent abroad, fond of beer, Bondi and beautiful sheilas, but he soon settles into the Australian ghetto in Earls Court, where his old mate Curly has a flat....
Yellowbeard
Character: Lord Percy Lambourn
For years Yellowbeard had looted the Spanish Main, making men eat their lips and swallow their hearts. Caught and convicted for tax evasion, he's sentenced to 20 years in St. Victim's Prison for the Extremely Naughty. In a scheme to confiscate his fabulous treasure, the Royal Navy allows him to escape and follows him, where saucy tarts, lisping demigods and some awful puns and punishments await....
The Bed Sitting Room
Character: Inspector
In the hazy aftermath of World War III, the fallout from a 'nuclear misunderstanding' is producing strange mutations amongst the survivors, and the noble Lord Fortnum finds himself transforming into a bed sitting room....
Supergirl
Character: Nigel
After losing a powerful orb, Kara, Superman's cousin, comes to Earth to retrieve it and instead finds herself up against a wicked witch....
Alice in Wonderland
Character: Mad Hatter
Alice in Wonderland (1966) is a BBC television play based on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. It was directed by Jonathan Miller, then most widely known for his appearance in the long-running satirical revue Beyond the Fringe....
Black Beauty
Character: Lord Wexmire
The fates of horses, and the people who own and command them, are revealed as Black Beauty narrates the circle of his life....
Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
Character: Self
The Secret Policeman benefit shows for Amnesty International brought together comedy grand masters - from Python and Beyond the Fringe - and performers then relatively unknown, like Rowan Atkinson. Narrated by Dawn French, the programme includes interviews with many of the comedians and musicians who took part: John Cleese, Stephen Fry, Michael Palin, Sting, Lenny Henry and many more. The shows and their stars had a huge effect on modern British comedy. There are few comics today whose careers h...
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Character: Sherlock Holmes
The death of Sir Charles Baskerville is blamed on a curse that has followed the Baskerville family for two hundred years. Sherlock Holmes is out to uncover the truth about a hound who roams the moors, waiting to attack the heir to the Baskerville estate....
The Wrong Box
Character: Morris Finsbury
In Victorian England, a fortune now depends on which of two brothers outlives the other—or can be made to have seemed to do so....
Monte Carlo or Bust!
Character: Maj. Digby Dawlish
Sequel to "Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines". This time an international car rally from England to Monte Carlo provides the comedic farce....
Bedazzled
Character: George Spiggot
A hapless loser sells his soul to the Devil in exchange for seven wishes, but has trouble winning over the girl of his dreams....
A Dandy in Aspic
Character: Prentiss
Double-agent Alexander Eberlin is assigned by the British to hunt out a Russian spy, known to them as Krasnevin. Only Eberlin knows that Krasnevin is none other than himself! Accompanying him on his mission is a ruthless partner, who gradually discovers his secret as Eberlin tries to maneuver himself out of a desperate situation....
Beyond the Fringe
Character: Various Characters
A TV version of the stage show originally performed at the Edinburgh Fringe (August 1960) and in London (Fortune Theatre, May 1961) and Broadway (October 1962)....
Pleasure at Her Majesty's
Character: Self
The first of the Amnesty International comedy benefit galas. The title is a play on the phrase at Her Majesty's pleasure (the show was performed at Her Majesty's Theatre, London). This show came to be considered part of the Secret Policeman's Ball series of shows that it inspired, although it pre-dated the first show in the series by three years. The event was organized by a team of three: Monty Python member John Cleese, Amnesty's Assistant Director Peter Luff and Transatlantic Records executiv...
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Character: Various Roles
Amnesty decided not to present a benefit show in 1978 in order to consider how to make better use of the performing talent so favourably disposed to assist it in raising funds. Peter Luff left Amnesty in 1978 and the organisation's new fund-raising officer, Peter Walker, was deputed to work with Lewis on reconfiguring the show to raise more money and greater awareness of Amnesty. Lewis proposed to Cleese that in addition to the comedy performances the show should feature some contemporary rock m...
The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
Character: Self - Various Roles
Following the success of the 1979 show and the financial benefits accruing to Amnesty from the spin-off movie, TV special and record albums – Cleese, Lewis and Walker planned the next show to be a more spectacular event. Cleese focused on broadening the comedic talent to be presented at the show. In addition to the Amnesty show stalwarts drawn from the Oxbridge/Monty Python/Beyond The Fringe orbit, he invited newcomers such as Rowan Atkinson’s colleagues from the BBC TV show Not the Nine O'Clock...
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball
Character: Self
After the criticisms of the 1987 show’s disproportionate focus on music - and the financial disaster of its music-only Festival Of Youth weekend concert in 1988, Amnesty returned to the original formula that had been so successful in the 1976-1981 era with a primary focus on comedy. Pat Duffy was dropped from organising any further benefit events for Amnesty and for the 1989 show, Amnesty hired producer Judith Holder....
Peter Cook Talks Golf Balls
Character: Various
Peter Cook plays four characters in his last major work. Alec Dunroonie (Scotland), Dr. Dieter Liedbetter (Germany), Major Titherly Glibble (England) and Bill Rossie (U.S.A.) all of whom are eccentric to say the least....
Some Interesting Facts About Peter Cook
Character: Self
A documentary about the life of British satirist and founder of 'Private Eye' Peter Cook....
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer
Character: Michael Rimmer
Fresh-faced young Michael Rimmer worms his way into an opinion poll company and is soon running the place. He uses this as a springboard to get into politics and in the mini-skirted flared-trousered world of 1970 Britain starts to rise through the Tory ranks....
Derek and Clive Get the Horn
Character: Clive
A documentary recording the making of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore's comedy album Derek and Clive Ad Nauseam....
Ten Thousand Talents
Character:
The first film made by Don Levy is a comedic satire of pretensions and perversions of British academia. Made for the Cambridge Film Society, it is shot in grainy black-and-white scuffed up to resemble aged prints of 1920s Surrealist films and displays an astringent sense of the ironies that can be achieved through juxtapositions of image, voice-over text, and music....
An Audience with Dudley Moore
Character:
Outstanding comedian and musician Dudley Moore regales his spellbound audience in typical fashion with his hilarious edition of the long-running An Audience With series. Backed by a full orchestra - and interrupted by both Peter Cook and the Dagenham Girl Pipers - Dudley entertains his audience of celebrities (including Stanley Baxter, Martin Shaw, Clive James, Lulu and Rolf Harris) and duets with singer-songwriter Christopher Cross on the award-winning 'Arthur's Theme'....
Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe
Character: Self (archive footage)
TV documentary tracing the life of the comedian and satirist from his school days, through the Cambridge Footlights, to Beyond the Fringe and his partnership with Dudley Moore. With contributions from Cook's school friends Peter Rabey and Jonathan Harlow; Cook's first wife Wendy Cook; Cambridge University friends Tim Harrold and Roger Law; Adrian Slade (ex-president of Cambridge Footlights); Jonathan Miller; Sir David Frost; Ned Sherrin; John Bassett (creator, Beyond The Fringe); Willie Donaldso...
Roger Mellie: The Man on the Telly
Character: Roger Mellie
Foul-mouthed, alcoholic, misogynistic, bigoted (and occasionally violent) cocaine enthusiast Roger Mellie takes on various tasks to get a new TV show....
The Princess Bride
Character: The Impressive Clergyman
In this enchantingly cracked fairy tale, the beautiful Princess Buttercup and the dashing Westley must overcome staggering odds to find happiness amid six-fingered swordsmen, murderous princes, Sicilians and rodents of unusual size. But even death can't stop these true lovebirds from triumphing....
Getting It Right
Character: Mr. Adrian
Gavin is 31 years old and still lives with his parents. He is awfully shy but before he knows it there are three women interested in him. Lady Minerva Munday has a casual way of life and lives in a basement, Joan is an over-sexed millionairess, married to a Greek architect. But Gavin prefers the ugly assistant in the barbershop....
Offensive: The Real Derek and Clive
Character: Self (archive footage)
Documentary charting the Derek and Clive phenomenon. The two foul-mouthed toilet attendants were the creations of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore and were responsible for some of the filthiest comedy to come out of Britain. Despite being banned from radio and television the duo achieved great success and a cult status, but the act broke up one of the greatest comedy partnerships of recent years. Featuring excerpts from the actual records and video footage of Cook and Moore....
Find the Lady
Character: Lewenhak
Two hoodlums, Trigger (Mickey Rooney) & Leo (Dick Emery) are hired by the unscrupulous J.K. (Peter Cook) to kidnap his niece Victoria (Alexandra Bastedo). The daughter of a wealthy businessman has been kidnapped, and the chief of police, under a lot of pressure to find her as soon as possible, assigns officers Kopek (John Candy) and Broom (Lawrence Dane) to track her down and bring her back safe and sound....
Jake's Journey
Character: King Arthur
A normal teenager is transported to a Monty Pythonesque medieval fantasy land where an odd, adamant knight takes him on a quest....
Without a Clue
Character: Greenhough
Sherlock Holmes is as dashing as ever, but with a little secret: Dr. Watson is the brains behind the operation. When Reginald Kincaid, the actor he has hired to play Holmes becomes insufferable, Watson fires him and tries to go out on his own, but finds that he has done too good a job building Holmes up in the public's mind....
Kenny Everett's Christmas Carol
Character: the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
Kenny gives us his rendition of Charles Dickens story A Christmas Carol, "with apologies to C. Dickens, Esquire"...
The Kate Bush Story: Running Up That Hill
Character: Self (archive footage)
This documentary explores Kate Bush's career and music, from January 1978's Wuthering Heights to her 2011 album 50 Words for Snow, through the testimony of some of her key collaborators and those she has inspired....
Clive Anderson Talks Back: Peter Cook
Character: Norman House / Sir James Beauchamp / Alan Latchley / Eric Daley
One of the most beloved editions of the show, as Clive chats to a biscuit inventor who was abducted by aliens; Scunthorpe's football manager; a suspended high court judge and a rock legend - all of whom bear a resemblance to Peter Cook....
Electric Blue 007
Character: Self
Introduced by Seka the Platinum Princess, EB007 is a "Bond Girl Spectacular." Featured among the usual crop of centerfold models are five Bond girls, including Ursula Andress and Lalla Dean, who made quite a splash as "uncredited girl in pool" in For Your Eyes Only (1981), in the buff. In addition, there's nudity from singer / actress Hazel O'Connor plus appearances from Peter Cook and Dudley Moore....
The Undiscovered Peter Cook
Character: Self (archive footage)
Documentary about Britain's greatest satirist Peter Cook, with unprecedented access to his private recordings, diaries, letters, photographs and much more. Following his death, Peter Cook's widow Lin locked the door of his house and refused all access to the media. Until this year, when she invited her friend Victor Lewis-Smith and a BBC crew inside to make a documentary about the man she knew and loved....
Peter Cook & Co.
Character: Various Characters
A TV Special consisting of various sketches with the titular comedian and fellow comics in guest appearances....
Great Balls of Fire!
Character: First English Reporter
The story of Jerry Lee Lewis, arguably the greatest and certainly one of the wildest musicians of the 1950s. His arrogance, remarkable talent, and unconventional lifestyle often brought him into conflict with others in the industry, and even earned him the scorn and condemnation of the public....
KLM: Diplomatix
Character: Narrator
Diplomatix was Norway's entry at the Montreux Comedy Festival in 1985, represented by the comedy trio KLM consisting of Trond Kirkvaag, Knut Lystad and Lars Mjøen. They also wrote the script. Kent Nilssen was the director....
Group Madness
Character: Self
A behind-the-scenes documentary of the making of 1983's Yellowbeard...
One Foot in the Algarve
Character: Martin Trout
The Meldrews go on holiday to Portugal with Mrs Warboys, who is hoping for romance with her penpal Alfonso. Photographer Martin Trout follows them there, believing they have a roll of film that belongs to him....
The Best of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore
Character: Self (archive footage)
In this tribute to the late greats Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, a frankly large collection of some of their best bits. 1965 saw Pete and Dud in a new show NOT ONLY BUT ALSO and their now classic act was an irresistible combination of scripted and seemingly improvised sketches, where corpsing and ad-libs were an integral part of their often bizarre entertainment. Highlights include: the cloth-capped 'Dagenham Dialogues,' 'Sir Arthur Greeb-Streebling,' '5-4-3-2-1...,' 'The Superthunderstingraycars...
The Mermaid Frolics
Character: E. L. Wisty
In May 1977 a second Amnesty benefit was held to build on the success of the first show and with the intent of developing momentum for a regularly-scheduled benefit show....
Blackadder's Most Cunning Moments
Character: Self
A countdown of the top 40 "Blackadder" moments chosen by cast and crew members, celebrity fans and 15 genuine Blackadders....
Night of 100 Stars
Character: Self
The most glittering, expensive, and exhausting videotaping session in television history took place Friday February 19, 1982 at New York's Radio City Music Hall. The event, for which ticket-buyers paid up to $1,000 a seat (tax-deductible as a contribution to the Actors' Fund) was billed as "The Night of 100 Stars" but, actually, around 230 stars took part. And most of the audience of 5,800 had no idea in advance that they were paying to see a TV taping, complete with long waits for set and cost...
Joan Rivers at the BBC
Character: Self (archive footage)
Katherine Ryan presents a celebration of one of the biggest comedy talents to ever appear on the small screens – the razor-sharp-tongued first lady of laughter, Joan Rivers....
Gaybo Laughs Back
Character: Self
Gaybo Laughs Back is an hour-long special, hosted by Gay Byrne who introduces some of the comedy highlights from his thirty-seven years at the helm of the long-running television series....