Peter Ustinov

Sir Peter Alexander Ustinov (born Peter Alexander von Ustinow) (April 16, 1921 - March 29, 2004) was a British-born and raised actor, writer, dramatist and raconteur.

Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot

Ustinov was born in Swiss Cottage in London. His father, Iona (Jona) von Ustinov, was half Russian and half German. He was known to his friends as "Klop" (bedbug). Klop had served as a German fighter pilot in World War I and worked as a press officer at the German Embassy in London in the 1930s, as well as a reporter for a German news agency. In 1935 he began working for the British intelligence service MI5 and became a British citizen, thus avoiding internment or deportation during the war (Peter Wright mentions in his book Spycatcher that Klop was possibly the spy known as U35; Ustinov says in his autobiography that his father hosted secret meetings of senior British and German officials at their London home).

Peter Ustinov's mother, Nadia (Nadezhda) Leontievna Benois, was a painter and ballet designer of mixed Russian, French and Italian ancestry (she also had Ethiopian ancestry). Her paternal ancestor Jules-César Benois was a chef who had left France for St Petersburg during the French Revolution and became a chef to Tsar Paul.

Peter was educated at Westminster School and had a difficult and uncertain childhood because of his parents' constant bickering and personality clashes. After training as an actor in his late teens, he made his stage début in 1938, becoming quickly established.

Following military service as a private soldier during World War II, during which he had made propaganda films with names such as David Niven, he began to branch out into writing. His first major success was with The Love of Four Colonels in 1951. His career as a dramatist continued alongside his acting career, his best-known play being Romanoff and Juliet (1956). His film roles include Roman emperor Nero in Quo Vadis? (1951), Captain Vere in Billy Budd (1962), Lentulus Batiatus in Spartacus (1960), an old man surviving a totalitarian future in Logan's Run (1976), and in several films as Hercule Poirot, a part he first played in Death on the Nile (1978). His autobiography, Dear Me (1977), was well received and saw him describe his life (ostensibly his childhood) whilst being interrogated by his own ego.

He won Oscars for his roles in Spartacus (1960) and Topkapi (1964). He also won two Golden Globe awards (he famously set the Oscar and Globe statues up on his desk as if playing doubles tennis; the game was also a love of his life, as was ocean yachting).

In the later part of his life (from 1969 until his death), his acting and writing tasks took second place to his work on behalf of UNICEF - the United Nations Children's Fund, for which he was a Goodwill Ambassador and fundraiser. In this role he visited some of the neediest children and made use of his ability to make just about anybody laugh, including many of the world's most disadvantaged children. "Sir Peter could make anyone laugh," UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy is quoted as saying. "His one-man show in German was the funniest performance I have ever seen – and I don’t speak a word of German."

He is most well-known to many British people as a chat-show guest, a role to which he was ideally suited - his multicultural background made it possible for him to criticise the British character with good humour. Towards the end of his life he undertook some one-man stage shows in which he let loose his raconteur streak - he told the story of his life and of his frequent alienation in British society (as just one example, he took a test as a child which asked him to name a Russian composer; he wrote Shostakovich but was marked down, told the correct answer was Tchaikovsky since they had been studying him in class, and told to stop showing off).

He spoke English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish fluently, as well as some Turkish and modern Greek.

In the late 1960s, he became a Swiss citizen to avoid the British tax system of the time which taxed the earnings of the wealthy at up to 90 per cent. However, he was knighted in 1990, and was appointed Chancellor of the University of Durham in 1992, having previously served as Rector of the University of Dundee in the late 1970s (a role in which he moved from being merely a figure-head to taking on a political role, negotiating with militant students).

Ustinov was a frequent defender of the Chinese government, stating in an address to the University of Durham in 2000, "People are annoyed with the Chinese for not respecting more human rights. But with a population that size it's very difficult to have the same attitude to human rights."

In 2003 Durham's postgraduate college (previously known as the Graduate Society) was renamed Ustinov College when it moved to a new site.

He passed away in 2004 due to heart failure in a clinic in Genolier, near his home in Bursins, Vaud, Switzerland, and was buried in a private ceremony in the town on Saturday April 3, 2004. He was so well regarded as a goodwill ambassador that UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy spoke at the funeral and represented United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

When, in an interview, he was once asked what he would like it to read on his tombstone, Ustinov replied "Please keep off the grass".


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When, in an interview, he was once asked what he would like it to read on his tombstone, Ustinov replied "Please keep off the grass".
Piccoli / Ventura
(Espion Lève-toi, 1981)
. He was so well regarded as a goodwill ambassador that UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy spoke at the funeral and represented United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
Schneider / Ventura
(Garde à Vue, 1981)
. He passed away in 2004 due to heart failure in a clinic in Genolier, near his home in Bursins, Vaud, Switzerland, and was buried in a private ceremony in the town on Saturday April 3, 2004.
A thoughtful Ventura
(Cadaveri Excellenti, 1976)
. In 2003 Durham's postgraduate college (previously known as the Graduate Society) was renamed Ustinov College when it moved to a new site.
Thulin / Ventura
(La Cage, 1975)
.

But with a population that size it's very difficult to have the same attitude to human rights.".
Hayes / Ventura
(Uomini Duri, 1974)
. Ustinov was a frequent defender of the Chinese government, stating in an address to the University of Durham in 2000, "People are annoyed with the Chinese for not respecting more human rights.
Ventura, Fugitive
(Le Silencieux, 1972)
. However, he was knighted in 1990, and was appointed Chancellor of the University of Durham in 1992, having previously served as Rector of the University of Dundee in the late 1970s (a role in which he moved from being merely a figure-head to taking on a political role, negotiating with militant students).
Jobert / Ventura
(Dernier Domicile Connu, 1969)
. In the late 1960s, he became a Swiss citizen to avoid the British tax system of the time which taxed the earnings of the wealthy at up to 90 per cent.
Ventura in action
(Les Aventuriers, 1967)
.

He spoke English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish fluently, as well as some Turkish and modern Greek.
Shimkus / Ventura
(Les Aventuriers, 1967)
. Towards the end of his life he undertook some one-man stage shows in which he let loose his raconteur streak - he told the story of his life and of his frequent alienation in British society (as just one example, he took a test as a child which asked him to name a Russian composer; he wrote Shostakovich but was marked down, told the correct answer was Tchaikovsky since they had been studying him in class, and told to stop showing off).
Dubois / Ventura
(Les Grandes Gueules, 1965)
. He is most well-known to many British people as a chat-show guest, a role to which he was ideally suited - his multicultural background made it possible for him to criticise the British character with good humour.
Darc / Ventura
(Les Barbouzes, 1964)
. "Sir Peter could make anyone laugh," UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy is quoted as saying. "His one-man show in German was the funniest performance I have ever seen – and I don’t speak a word of German.".
Ventura, Chef
(Die Dreigroschenoper, 1962)
.

In this role he visited some of the neediest children and made use of his ability to make just about anybody laugh, including many of the world's most disadvantaged children.
Darrieux / Ventura
(Marie Octobre, 1958)
. In the later part of his life (from 1969 until his death), his acting and writing tasks took second place to his work on behalf of UNICEF - the United Nations Children's Fund, for which he was a Goodwill Ambassador and fundraiser.
Gabin / Ventura
(Razzia sur la Chnouf, 1954)
. He also won two Golden Globe awards (he famously set the Oscar and Globe statues up on his desk as if playing doubles tennis; the game was also a love of his life, as was ocean yachting).  
 
 
 
. He won Oscars for his roles in Spartacus (1960) and Topkapi (1964). He died in Saint-Cloud, Paris, France.

His autobiography, Dear Me (1977), was well received and saw him describe his life (ostensibly his childhood) whilst being interrogated by his own ego. His parents were Giovanni Ventura and Luisa Borrini. His film roles include Roman emperor Nero in Quo Vadis? (1951), Captain Vere in Billy Budd (1962), Lentulus Batiatus in Spartacus (1960), an old man surviving a totalitarian future in Logan's Run (1976), and in several films as Hercule Poirot, a part he first played in Death on the Nile (1978). He was born in Parma, Northern Italy, as Angiolino Joseph Pascal Ventura. His career as a dramatist continued alongside his acting career, his best-known play being Romanoff and Juliet (1956). Lino Ventura (July 14, 1919 - October 22, 1987) was an Italian-French actor. His first major success was with The Love of Four Colonels in 1951.
.

Following military service as a private soldier during World War II, during which he had made propaganda films with names such as David Niven, he began to branch out into writing. Rencontres – Art, Culture et Handicap – Lundi 20 octobre à Bourges (http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/actualites/communiq/aillagon/bourgesoct03.htm). After training as an actor in his late teens, he made his stage début in 1938, becoming quickly established. Les Premières Rencontres Nationales – Art, Culture et Handicap – Bourges du 19 au 21 octobre 2003 (http://www.argos.asso.fr/archiv/cultur03/texte/honneur.htm). Peter was educated at Westminster School and had a difficult and uncertain childhood because of his parents' constant bickering and personality clashes. (CTEB: Livres Transcrits en Braille) (http://perso.wanadoo.fr/cteb/prod012.htm). Her paternal ancestor Jules-César Benois was a chef who had left France for St Petersburg during the French Revolution and became a chef to Tsar Paul. Ventura, Odette (199x): Lino.

Peter Ustinov's mother, Nadia (Nadezhda) Leontievna Benois, was a painter and ballet designer of mixed Russian, French and Italian ancestry (she also had Ethiopian ancestry). ISBN 3-453-86065-9. In 1935 he began working for the British intelligence service MI5 and became a British citizen, thus avoiding internment or deportation during the war (Peter Wright mentions in his book Spycatcher that Klop was possibly the spy known as U35; Ustinov says in his autobiography that his father hosted secret meetings of senior British and German officials at their London home). München: Heyne. Klop had served as a German fighter pilot in World War I and worked as a press officer at the German Embassy in London in the 1930s, as well as a reporter for a German news agency. Lino Ventura: Seine Filme - Sein Leben. He was known to his friends as "Klop" (bedbug). Zurhorst, Meinolf / Just, Lothar (1984).

His father, Iona (Jona) von Ustinov, was half Russian and half German. ISBN. Ustinov was born in Swiss Cottage in London. Guanda "Biblioteca della Pilotta". Sir Peter Alexander Ustinov (born Peter Alexander von Ustinow) (April 16, 1921 - March 29, 2004) was a British-born and raised actor, writer, dramatist and raconteur. Ventura, Odette (1997): Lino. ISBN 2-22108646-5.

Paris: Robert Laffont. Ventura, Odette (1997): Lino. ISBN 3-88679-217-X. Weinheim; Berlin: Beltz Quadriga.

Ventura, Odette (1993): Lino. ISBN 2-7242-7179-3 (see also: External Links). Paris: Robert Laffont. Ventura, Odette (1992): Lino.

ISBN 2-22109884-6. Paris: Robert Laffont. Ventura, Clélia (2003): Lino ou la Gourmandise de la Vie. ISBN 2-21361262-5.

Fayard. Giovanni, José (2002): Mes Grandes Gueules. ISBN 2-08068113-3. Paris: Flammarion.

Durieux, Gilles (2001): Lino Ventura. ISBN 3-404-61142-X. Bergisch Gladbach: Lübbe. Durant, Philippe (1989): Lino Ventura.

With (?).
Director: Francesco Massaro. Maledetto Ferragosto (1987)

    . With Roger Hanin, Michel Piccoli.
    Director: Roger Hanin. La Rumba (1987)
      .

      With Rod Steiger, Michael York.
      Director: Michael Anderson. Vengeance / Sword of Gideon (1986)

        . With Lea Massari.
        Director: Claude Pinoteau. La 7ème Cible (1984)
          .

          With Lino Troisi.
          Director: Giuseppe Ferrara. Cento Giorni a Palermo / Cent Jours à Palermo (1983)

            . With Bernard Giraudeau, Claudia Cardinale.
            Director: José Giovanni. Le Ruffian (1982)
              .

              With Michel Bouquet.
              Director: Robert Hossein. Les Misérables (1982)

                . With Michel Piccoli, Bruno Cremer.
                Director: Yves Boisset. Espion Lève-toi (1981)
                  .

                  With Michel Serrault, Romy Schneider.
                  Director: Claude Miller. Garde à Vue (1981)

                    . With Catherine Salviat.
                    Director: Edouard Molinaro. Les Seducteurs / Sunday Lovers ("Paris") (1980)
                      .

                      With Angie Dickinson, Laurent Malet.
                      Director: Claude Pinoteau. L'Homme en Colère (1979)

                        . With Claudine Auger, Paul Crauchet.
                        Director: Jacques Deray. Un Papillon sur l'Épole (1978)
                          .

                          With Richard Burton, Lee Remick.
                          Director: Jack Gold. The Medusa Touch / La Grand Menace (1978)

                            . With Fernando Rey.
                            Director: Francesco Rosi. Cadaveri Excellenti / Cadavres Exquis (1976)
                              .

                              With Patrick Dewaere, Françoise Brion.
                              Director: Pierre Granier-Deferre. Adieu Poulet (1975)

                                . With Ingrid Thulin.
                                Director: Pierre Granier-Deferre. La Cage (1975)
                                  .

                                  With Annie Girardot, Isabelle Adjani.
                                  Director: Claude Pinoteau. La Gifle (1974)

                                    . With Isaac Hayes.
                                    Director: Duccio Tessari. Uomini Duri / Tough Guys / Les Durs (1974)
                                      .

                                      With Jacques Brel.
                                      Director: Edouard Molinaro. L'Emmerdeur (1973)

                                        . With Gabriel Jabbour, Danièle Evenou.
                                        Director: Jacques Brel. Le Far West (1973)
                                          .

                                          With Françoise Fabian.
                                          Director: Claude Lelouch. La Bonne Année (1973)

                                            . With Raymond Devos, Alice Sapritch.
                                            Director: François Reichenbach. La Raison du Plus Fou (1972)
                                              .

                                              With Lea Massari.
                                              Director: Claude Pinoteau. Le Silencieux (1972)

                                                . With Charles Bronson, Jill Ireland.
                                                Director: Terence Young. I Segreti di Cosa Nostra / The Valachi Papers (1972)
                                                  .

                                                  With Jacques Brel, Charles Denner, Charles Gérard.
                                                  Director: Claude Lelouch. L'Aventure c'est l'Aventure (1972)

                                                    . With Brigitte Bardot, Guy Marchand.
                                                    Director: Robert Enrico. Boulevard du Rhum (1971)
                                                      .

                                                      With Mireille Darc, Jacques Dufilho.
                                                      Director: Gérard Pirès. Fantasia chez les Ploucs (1970)

                                                        . With Marlène Jobert.
                                                        Director: José Giovanni. Dernier Domicile Connu (1969)
                                                          .

                                                          With Jean Gabin, Alain Delon, Irina Demick.
                                                          Director: Henri Verneuil. Le Clan des Siciliens (1968)

                                                            . With Simone Signoret.
                                                            Director: Jean-Pierre Melville. L'Armée des Ombres (1969)
                                                              .

                                                              With Rosa Furman, Xavier Marc.
                                                              Director: José Giovanni. Le Rapace (1967)

                                                                . With Alain Delon, Joanna Shimkus.
                                                                Director: Robert Enrico. Les Aventuriers (1967)
                                                                  .

                                                                  With Paul Meurisse, Raymond Pellegrin.
                                                                  Director: Jean-Pierre Melville. Le Deuxième Souffle (1966)

                                                                    . With Jean Bouise, Marilu Tolo.
                                                                    Director: Jacques Deray. Avec la Peau des Autres (1966)
                                                                      .

                                                                      With Jean Lefebvre, Mireille Darc.
                                                                      Director: Georges Lautner. Ne Nous Fâchons Pas (1965)

                                                                        . With Bourvil, Marie Dubois.
                                                                        Director: Robert Enrico. Les Grandes Gueules (1965)
                                                                          .

                                                                          With Irina Demick, Pierre Brasseur, Charles Aznavour.
                                                                          Director: Pierre Granier-Deferre. La Métamorphose des Cloportes (1965)

                                                                            . With Sylvia Koscina, Léo Gordon.
                                                                            Director: Claude Sautet. L'Arme à Gauche (1965)
                                                                              .

                                                                              With Bernard Blier, Mireille Darc.
                                                                              Director: Georges Lautner. Les Barbouzes (1964)

                                                                                . With Paul Meurisse.
                                                                                Director: Georges Lautner. Le Monocle Rit Jaune (1964)
                                                                                  .

                                                                                  With Gert Fröbe.
                                                                                  Director: Henri Verneuil. Cent Milles Dollar au Soleil (1963)

                                                                                    . With Francisco Rabal, Lea Massari.
                                                                                    Director: Carlos Saura. Llanto por un Bandito / Cordoba (1963)
                                                                                      .

                                                                                      With Sabine Sinjen, Horst Franck.
                                                                                      Director: Georges Lautner. Les Tontons Flingueurs (1963)

                                                                                        . With Giovanna Ralli, Dante di Paolo.
                                                                                        Director: Carmine Gallone. Carmen di Trastevere / Carmen 63 (1963)
                                                                                          .

                                                                                          With Curd Jürgens, Hildegard Knef, Gert Fröbe.
                                                                                          Director: Wolfgang Staudte. Die Dreigroschenoper (1962)

                                                                                            . With Charles Aznavour, Maurice Biraud.
                                                                                            Director: Julien Duvivier. Le Diable et les Dix Commandements (1962)
                                                                                              .

                                                                                              With Fernandel, Georges Rivière.
                                                                                              Director: Vittorio de Sica. Il Giudizio Universale / Le Jugement Dernier (1961)

                                                                                                . With Agathe Aems, Gilbert Bécaud.
                                                                                                Director: Jacqueline Audry. Les Petits Matins (1961)
                                                                                                  .

                                                                                                  With Annie Girardot, Michel Simon, Pierre Brasseur.
                                                                                                  Director: Denys de la Patellière. Le Bateau d'Emile (1961)

                                                                                                    . With Ernest Borgnine, Yvonne Sanson.
                                                                                                    Director: Duilio Coletti. Il Re di Poggioreale / Le Roi des Truands (1961)
                                                                                                      .

                                                                                                      With Jean-Claude Brialy, Claudia Cardinale.
                                                                                                      Director: Henri Verneuil. Les Lions Sont Lachés (1961)

                                                                                                        . With Charles Aznavour, Hardy Krüger.
                                                                                                        Director: Denys de la Patellière. Un Taxi pour Tobrouk (1961)
                                                                                                          .

                                                                                                          With Marina Vlady.
                                                                                                          Director: Luciano Emmer. La Fille dans la Vitrine (1960)

                                                                                                            . With Matha Hyer, Carlos Thompson.
                                                                                                            Director: William Dieterle. Herrin der Welt / Les Mystères d'Angkor (1960)
                                                                                                              .

                                                                                                              With Sandra Milo, Jean-Paul Belmondo.
                                                                                                              Director: Claude Sautet. Classe Tous Risques (1959)

                                                                                                                . With Françoise Arnoul, Bourvil, Alain Delon.
                                                                                                                Director: Michel Boisrond. Le Chemin des Écoliers (1959)
                                                                                                                  .

                                                                                                                  With Andréa Parisi.
                                                                                                                  Director: Gilles Grangier. 125 Rue Montmartre (1959)

                                                                                                                    . With Franco Fabrizzi, Sandra Milo.
                                                                                                                    Director: Edouard Molinaro. Un Témoin dans la Ville (1959)
                                                                                                                      .

                                                                                                                      With Danielle Darrieux.
                                                                                                                      Director: Julien Duvivier. Marie Octobre (1958)

                                                                                                                        . With Eva Bartok, Hannes Messemer, Gert Fröbe.
                                                                                                                        Director: Geza Redvanyi. Douze Heures d'Horloge (1958)
                                                                                                                          .

                                                                                                                          With Henri Vidal, Dawn Adams.
                                                                                                                          Director: Victor Merenda. Sursis pour un Vivant / Il Mistero della Pensione Edelweiss (1958)

                                                                                                                            . With Estella Blain, Paul Frankeur.
                                                                                                                            Director: Maurice Labro. Le Fauve est Laché (1958)
                                                                                                                              .

                                                                                                                              With Charles Vanel, Bella Darvi.
                                                                                                                              Director: Bernard Borderie. Le Gorille Vous Salue Bien (1958)

                                                                                                                                . With Gérard Philippe, Anouk Aimée, Lilli Palmer.
                                                                                                                                Director: Jacques Becker. Montparnasse 19 (1957)
                                                                                                                                  .

                                                                                                                                  With Jeanne Moreau.
                                                                                                                                  Director: Louis Malle. Ascenseur pour l'Échafaud (1957)

                                                                                                                                    . With Jean Gabin, Annie Girardot.
                                                                                                                                    Director: Jean Delannoy. Maigret Tend un Piège (1957)
                                                                                                                                      .

                                                                                                                                      With Eddie Constantine.
                                                                                                                                      Director: Bernard Borderie. Ces Dames Préfèrent le Mambo (1957)

                                                                                                                                        . With Daniel Gélin, Jeanne Moreau.
                                                                                                                                        Director: Gilles Grangier. Trois Jours à Vivre (1957)
                                                                                                                                          .

                                                                                                                                          With Jeanne Moreau, Philippe Lemaire.
                                                                                                                                          Director: Raymond Bailly. L'Étrange Monsieur Steve (1957)

                                                                                                                                            . With Jean Gabin, Annie Girardot.
                                                                                                                                            Director: Gilles Grangier. Le Rouge est Mis (1957)
                                                                                                                                              .

                                                                                                                                              With Henri Vidal, Barbara Laage.
                                                                                                                                              Director: Maurice Labro. Action Immédiate (1956)

                                                                                                                                                . With Raymond Pellegrin, Peter van Eyck.
                                                                                                                                                Director: Henri Decoin. Le Feux aux Poudres (1956)
                                                                                                                                                  .

                                                                                                                                                  With Jean Gabin, Marina Vlady.
                                                                                                                                                  Director: Georges Lampin. Crime et Châtiment (1956)

                                                                                                                                                    . With Jean Gabin.
                                                                                                                                                    Director: Ralph Habib. La Loi des Rues (1956)
                                                                                                                                                      .

                                                                                                                                                      With Jean Gabin.
                                                                                                                                                      Director: Henri Decoin. Razzia sur la Chnouf (1954)

                                                                                                                                                        . With Jean Gabin, Jeanne Moreau.
                                                                                                                                                        Director: Jacques Becker. Touchez Pas au Grisbi (1953)
                                                                                                                                                          .