Ever wondered why some siblings in Hollywood don't share the same last name? The story of Peter Graves and James Arness is a testament to forging one's own path, even in the shadow of a famous brother.
The world knew him as Peter Graves, the unflappable leader of the Impossible Missions Force. But before the Golden Globe-winning role in "Mission: Impossible" and the comedic turn in "Airplane!", he was Peter Duesler Aurness, the younger brother of James Arness, the towering figure who brought Marshal Matt Dillon to life in the legendary TV series "Gunsmoke." The paths of these two Minnesota-born brothers, both veterans of World War II, diverged in Hollywood, leading them to make decisions about their names that would shape their individual legacies.
| Peter Graves: A Biographical Overview | |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Peter Duesler Aurness |
| Stage Name | Peter Graves |
| Date of Birth | March 18, 1926 |
| Place of Birth | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Date of Death | March 14, 2009 |
| Age at Death | 83 |
| Cause of Death | Sudden cardiac arrest |
| Height | 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years Active | 1951-2009 |
| Spouse | Joan Endress (m. 1950) |
| Children | 3 (Kelly, Claudia, Amanda) |
| Education | Southwest High School, University of Minnesota |
| Military Service | United States Army Air Forces (World War II) |
| Awards | Golden Globe Award (1971), Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2009) |
| Notable Roles | Jim Phelps in "Mission: Impossible," Captain Clarence Oveur in "Airplane!" |
| Brother | James Arness |
| Related Links | |
| Peter Graves on IMDb |
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