Peter Sallis

Peter John Sallis OBE (1 February 1921 – 2 June 2017) was a prolific English actor whose career spanned more than seven decades, making him a beloved figure in both stage and screen history. Born in Twickenham, Middlesex, he was the only child of bank manager Harry Sallis and Dorothy Barnard, and after a brief stint at a bank he served as a wireless mechanic in the Royal Air Force during World War II, where his technical aptitude earned him a Korda Scholarship for teaching radio procedures. After the war he honed his craft at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and debuted professionally at the Arts Theatre in 1946, quickly moving on to repertory work and notable West End productions such as The Three Sisters and The Importance of Being Earnest. His versatility shone through a wide range of roles, from classic Shakespearean parts at the Old Vic to contemporary comedies, and he even appeared on Broadway in 1965 as Dr. Watson in Baker Street. Sallis became a familiar face on British television, guest‑starring in iconic series like The Avengers, Doctor Who (as Elric Penley in “The Ice Warriors”), and The Persuaders!, while his film work included Hammer horror classics The Curse of the Werewolf and Taste the Blood of Dracula. The role that cemented his cultural legacy was Norman “Cleggy” Clegg in the long‑running sitcom Last of the Summer Wine, a part he inhabited from its 1973 pilot until the final episode in 2010, appearing in every one of the 295 episodes. Simultaneously, he became the original voice of Wallace in Nick Park’s beloved Wallace & Gromit series, lending his warm, unmistakable timbre to the eccentric inventor in award‑winning shorts such as A Grand Day Out, The Wrong Trousers, A Close Shave, and the Oscar‑winning The Curse of the Were‑Rabbit. His work earned him an Annie Award for voice acting and an OBE in 2007 for services to drama. Off‑screen, Sallis married actress Elaine Usher in 1957; the couple had one son, Crispian Sallis, and remained close until her death in 2014. Later in life he battled macular degeneration, yet continued to record his iconic lines using adaptive technology. He died peacefully at Denville Hall nursing home in 2017 at the age of 96, leaving an indelible mark on British entertainment.