Peter Wilton Cushing OBE (1913 - 1994)

Born 26 May 1913 in Kenley, Surrey, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Violet Helene (Beck) Cushing — married 10 Apr 1943 (to 14 Jan 1971) in Kensington, London, England

Died 11 Aug 1994 at age 81 in Canterbury, Kent, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

Peter Cushing OBE is Notable.

Peter Cushing OBE was born in Kenley, Surrey, England.

Peter Cushing was an actor best known for his many appearances in Hammer Films, in which he played the sinister scientist Baron Frankenstein, Sherlock Holmes and the vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing. He appeared frequently opposite Christopher Lee, and occasionally Vincent Price. He was also well known as Grand Moff Tarkin in the first Star Wars film in 1977, and his estate would authorize the use of his likeness in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2015).

Cushing was born in Kenley, Surrey, the second son of George Edward Cushing and Nellie Maria (née King) Cushing. He was educated at Shoreham College. After working in repertory theatre in Worthing, Sussex, he left for Hollywood in 1939. His first major film role was that of Osric in Laurence Olivier's Hamlet (1948).

In an interview published in ABC Film Review in November 1964, Cushing stated, "People look at me as if I were some sort of monster, but I can't think why. In my macabre pictures, I have either been a monster-maker or a monster-destroyer, but never a monster. Actually, I'm a gentle fellow. Never harmed a fly. I love animals, and when I'm in the country I'm a keen bird-watcher." In an interview published in 1966, he added, "I do get terribly tired with the neighbourhood kids telling me 'My mum says she wouldn't want to meet you in a dark alley'."

His beloved wife, Violet Helene Beck, died in 1971 leaving him terribly distraught. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1982, but managed to survive for 12 years without surgery. He did appear in several films during this time.

Sources

• "England and Wales, Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/2FPF-XXL : accessed 24 February 2015), Peter W Cushing, 1913; from "England & Wales Births, 1837-2006," index, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Croydon, Surrey, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.

• "New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1957," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/242K-RM3 : accessed 24 February 2015), Peter Cushing, 1939; citing Immigration, New York, New York, United States, NARA microfilm publication T715 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,758,014.

• "England and Wales, Death Registration Index 1837-2007," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/QVZZ-YXWS : accessed 24 February 2015), Peter Wilton Cushing, Aug 1994; from "England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006," index, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death Registration, Canterbury, Kent, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.

• "United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, 1980-2014," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/QV5G-MX9C : accessed 24 February 2015), Mr Peter Cushing, Colorado, United States, 12 Aug 1994; from "Recent Newspaper Obituaries (1977 - Today)," database and images, GenealogyBank.com (http://www.genealogybank.com : 2014); citing .

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10687/peter-cushing: accessed 13 September 2022), memorial page for Peter Cushing (26 May 1913–11 Aug 1994), Find A Grave: Memorial #10687 Cremated, Location of ashes is unknown.

• Peter Cushing on Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia
• Peter Cushing on EthniCelebs