Peter Egan Biography (2)

Peter trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art from 1964-1966. Throughout a career spanning over three decades, Peter has consistently played leading roles in stage, television and film.

Beginning in theatre he was lucky enough to be given his first job at the internationally acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre. This was followed by several seasons with the Royal Shakespeare Company and The National Theater. He has worked extensively in regional theatre in London's West End, and has recently finished a run in Art at the Wyndhaus. Peter won the London Theatre Critics Award for best actor in 1972 for his performance as Stanhope in Journeys End.

Peter believes that of all the disciplines, the Theatre is the most demanding for the actor, which is why he never allows too much time between stage appearences. His career in the theatre has been mainly classical, performing in plays of, Shakespeare, Sheridan, Congreve, Shaw, Barrie, Chekov, Gogol, Tennesse Williams, Eugene O'Neill and Osborne. However, sandwiched between his many stage appearences was a very busy career in Television.

His first major television role was that of Seth in Cold Comfort Farm in the late sixties, and the start to a successful career that continues to today. The next step was the lead in a series called Hog, directed by Mike Newell (Four weddings and a Funeral). Hog was a violent character, and in order to avoid being type cast as a villain, Peter decided to concentrate on mainly period characters; Millais in the Love School, Oscar Wilde in Lillie and then the title role of The Prince in the series Prince Regent. He moved on to the role of Paul in Ever Decreasing Circles, which went on to become one of the BBC's most successful comedy series of the Eighties. Peter had now become a household name in England.

Having a high profile on television has enabled Peter to chose some wonderful roles. He is particularly proud of his role as Magnus Pym in John Le Carre's A Perfect Spy. Being able to switch so comfortably between Comedy and Drama has enabled him to extend his range as an actor and he was called upon to use both to great effect as Dr. Pratt in 2000.1 A Space Travesty.

Film is always the most exclusive of all the mediums, and Peter was given the opportunity in the late sixties in John Mackenzie's first film One Brief Summer, this was followed by Hennessy starring Rod Steiger, Callan with Edward Woodward and then The Hireling starring Robert Shaw and Sarah Miles. The film won the Palm D'or at the Cannes Film Festival and Peter won a B.A.F.T.A. award for his role in the film. After a cameo part in the Oscar winning Chariots of Fire, Peter remained busy as an actor in theatre and TV, as well as directing plays in London's' West End and for the Kenneth Branagh's Renaissance Theatre Company.

Then came the offer to play Dr. Pratt in 2000.1 A Space Travesty with Leslie Nielsen, " A genuinely funny actor who makes you laugh more, the more serious he is! A gift!".

Peter is married to actress Myra Frances, they have a daughter Rebecca, also an actress.

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