What's After the Movie
Peter Cushing
Peter Wilton Cushing OBE (26 May 1913 – 11 August 1994) was an English actor known for his appearances in more than 100 films, as well as his roles in television, theatre, and radio. His career spanned over six decades, and he is most recognised for his roles in horror films, particularly those of Hammer Productions, during the 1950s to the 1970s. Cushing's first film debut was in the film The Man in the Iron Mask (1939) during his time in Hollywood, and after returning to England, he performed in a string of roles, including one in an adaptation of Hamlet (1948). Despite his struggling career, Cushing started working in live television plays and soon became one of the most recognisable faces in British television. He earned acclaim for his performances as Winston Smith in a BBC adaptation of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four (1954). Cushing played notable roles such as Baron Frankenstein in the Hammer studio's seven Frankenstein films and Doctor Van Helsing in five Dracula films. Furthermore, he acted as Dr. Who in two Dr. Who movies: Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965) and Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. (1966). Lastly, his role in the original Star Wars film (1977) enhanced his fame. Despite being often typecast as a horror film actor, Cushing remained active in the television and film industry until the early to mid-1990s. Cushing also wrote two autobiographies: Peter Cushing: An Autobiography (1986) and Past Forgetting: Memoirs of the Hammer Years (1988).
Born and raised in Kenley, Surrey, Cushing made his stage debut in 1935 and subsequently spent three years at a repertory theatre. Despite living during the wartime, he was shielded from its horrors by his mother. Cushing developed a love for dressing up and make-believe at a young age, eventually leading to his passion for acting. He embarked on a career in acting after school, despite his father's opposition. Cushing started working at Southampton Rep, a repertory theatre company, in 1936, where he played almost 100 characters. After some struggle in the profession, he finally received recognition for his work in live television plays.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Peter Cushing, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Peter Cushing rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Peter Wilton Cushing
Born: Kenley, Surrey, England
Citizenship: British
Birthday: May 26, 1913
Occupations: Actor
Years Active: 1935-1994
Spouses: Violet Hélène Beck
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring Peter Cushing
Hamlet
Horror Express
The Mummy
Horror of Dracula
The House That Dripped Blood
At the Earth's Core
The Beast Must Die
Twins of Evil
The Vampire Lovers
The Curse of Frankenstein
The Satanic Rites of Dracula
Sword of the Valiant: The Legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Halloween: The Inside Story
Attack of the Octopus People
Dark Glamour: The Blood and Guts of Hammer Productions
The Story of Star Wars
Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman
Frankenstein: A Cinematic Scrapbook
The Silent Scream
Mystery on Monster Island
The Many Faces of Sherlock Holmes
A Tale of Two Cities
House of the Long Shadows
The Masks of Death
Biggles
Hammer: The Studio That Dripped Blood
Peter Cushing: In His Own Words
The Skywalker Legacy
Peter Cushing: A One Way Ticket to Hollywood
AGFA Mystery Mixtape #2: Later in L.A.
Dr. Who: Classic Movie Double Bill
She
The Naked Edge
Dracula: Prince of Darkness
Shock Waves
Dr. Who and the Daleks
Dreams
Island of Terror
Arabian Adventure
The Brides of Dracula
The Black Knight
Sword of Sherwood Forest
The Ghoul
One More Time
Cash on Demand
The Woman in the House
Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors
Blood Suckers
Fists of Fire
The Flesh and the Fiends
Torture Garden
The Hellfire Club
100 Years of Horror: The Count and Company
Madhouse
Magic Fire
Nothing But the Night
The Gorgon
Tender Dracula
And Now the Screaming Starts!
Daleks’ Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D.
The World of Hammer: Dracula and the Undead
Violent Playground
The Revenge of Frankenstein
The Hound of the Baskervilles
The Abominable Snowman
The Skull
Corruption
The Uncanny
Night of the Big Heat
Nineteen Eighty-Four
Time Without Pity
Moulin Rouge
Captain Clegg
Tales from the Crypt
Scream and Scream Again
Fear in the Night
Women in War
Dalekmania
The Great Houdinis
They Dare Not Love
The Evil of Frankenstein
Cone of Silence
Flesh and Blood: The Hammer Heritage of Horror
Son of Hitler
Dracula A.D. 1972
The Howards of Virginia
Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell
Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters
John Paul Jones
Frankenstein Created Woman
Trial by Combat
Vigil in the Night
I, Monster
Fanex Files: Hammer Films
Laddie
A Chump at Oxford
Suspect
The Horror Show
The Man Who Finally Died
The Creeping Flesh
Alexander the Great
The End of the Affair
The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Peter Cushing, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
2020
Peter Cushing: In His Own Words
Himself
The Skywalker Legacy
Self (archive footage)
AGFA Mystery Mixtape #2: Later in L.A.
Self
2010
Halloween: The Inside Story
(archive footage)
Attack of the Octopus People
Doctor Welles (archive footage)
1994
The World of Hammer: Dracula and the Undead
Professor Lawrence Van Helsing
Flesh and Blood: The Hammer Heritage of Horror
Narrator (voice) / Self
1984
Sword of the Valiant: The Legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
The Masks of Death
Sherlock Holmes
1979
Arabian Adventure
Wazir Al Wuzara
Son of Hitler
Heinrich Haussner
The Horror Show
(archive footage)
1976
At the Earth's Core
The Great Houdinis
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Trial by Combat
Sir Edward Gifford
1974
The Beast Must Die
Madhouse
Herbert Flay
Tender Dracula
MacGregor
Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell
Baron Victor Frankenstein aka Dr. Carl Victor
1973
Horror Express
Nothing But the Night
Sir Mark Ashley
And Now the Screaming Starts!
Dr. Pope
The Creeping Flesh
Emmanuel Hildern
1972
Twins of Evil
Tales from the Crypt
Arthur Edward Grimsdyke
Fear in the Night
Michael Carmichael
Dracula A.D. 1972
Professor Van Helsing
1970
The Vampire Lovers
One More Time
Dr. Frankenstein
Scream and Scream Again
Major Heinrich Benedek
1967
Torture Garden
Lancelot Canning (segment 4 "The Man Who Collected Poe")
Night of the Big Heat
Dr. Vernon Stone
Frankenstein Created Woman
Baron Frankenstein
1966
Dracula: Prince of Darkness
Doctor Van Helsing (archive footage)
Island of Terror
Dr. Brian Stanley
Daleks’ Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D.
Doctor Who
1965
She
Holly
Dr. Who and the Daleks
Doctor Who
Dr. Terror’s House of Horrors
Dr. Sandor Schreck aka "Dr. Terror"
The Skull
Dr. Christopher Maitland
1960
The Brides of Dracula
Dr. J. Van Helsing
Sword of Sherwood Forest
Sheriff of Nottingham
The Flesh and the Fiends
Dr. Robert Knox
Cone of Silence
Capt. Clive Judd
Suspect
Professor Sewell
1959
The Mummy
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Sherlock Holmes
John Paul Jones
Captain Richard Pearson
1958
Horror of Dracula
Violent Playground
Father Laidlaw
The Revenge of Frankenstein
Dr. Victor Stein
1957
The Curse of Frankenstein
The Abominable Snowman
Dr. John Rollason
Time Without Pity
Jeremy Clayton
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