Peter Sellers

Peter Sellers CBE (8 September 1925 – 24 July 1980) was an English actor and comedian renowned for his work in the radio comedy series The Goon Show, and his many film characters, notably Chief Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther series. Born in Southsea, Sellers embarked on his stage debut at the Kings Theatre, and began his professional career as a drummer and toured around England as a member of the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA). His career took off after the war, beginning with his radio debut in ShowTime, eventually becoming a regular performer on various BBC Radio shows. His breakthrough in film career began in the 1950s, portraying a multitude of characters including authoritative and comedic figures. His versatility enabled him to perform characters using different accents and guises, often assuming multiple roles within the same film. Sellers was nominated for several Academy and BAFTA Awards, winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in 1980. Sellers grappled with depression and insecurities in his personal life, married four times, and fathered three children. He died prematurely at 54 from a heart attack in 1980.