The Bell

Recent deaths in the mystery, suspense, and thriller communities

Leo McKern
Leon Uris

Sir Peter Ustinov
Died: March 28, 2004
Age: 82

By Rob Holden

Most of the time, my work here at ReadersRoom.com is a joy and a pleasure. The one exception is this feature, because every time I need to sit down and write The Bell, it means that someone in our community has passed away. Thankfully, it doesn't happen often but it happened this week - just Sunday, as a matter of fact - when actor/author Peter Ustinov died of heart failure, at the age of 82, at his home in Genolier, Switzerland.

One of the most recognizable faces in the world, Sir Peter Ustinov had an acting career that spanned over sixty years, multiple Academy Award nominations (and two wins for best supporting actor) and characters as varied as the Roman Emperor Nero, an escaped convict, the philosopher Socrates and Manny the Rat (in the 1977 animated film The Mouse and His Child). Ustinov is perhaps most familiar to moviegoers, however, as Agatha Christie's Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. Ustinov made six films as Poirot between 1978 and 1988 and, in my opinion, defined the character for all the actors that have played him since. Ustinov's impeccable timing, precise mannerisms and flawless accent brought Christie's mastermind detective to life on the screen in a way that one can only think she, herself, would have envisioned him.

Many actors have played Hercule Poirot over the years including Austin Trevor, Martin Gabel, Tony Randall, Albert Finney and Alfred Molina. Veteran actor David Suchet has played the detective in a popular British television series since the late 1980s. While both Albert Finney and David Suchet's performances are excellent (I cannot comment on the others since I haven't seen them, but personally I have a little difficulty imagining Tony Randall in the role) there has always seemed to me to be a little something extra in Ustinov's take on the character - and the performances he gave as a result. Ustinov played a very human Poirot, and brought to the part a unique sense of comedy that can be found running through the almost fifty novels that Ms. Christie wrote starring the detective.

Born in London on April 16, 1921, Ustinov appeared in his first stage play in London in 1940, at the age of 19. His first film appearance was as a priest in 1942's One of Our Aircraft Is Missing. In all, Ustinov starred in 87 films and won the Academy Award for best supporting actor for his portrayal of Lentulus Batiatus in 1960's Spartacus and again for his performance as Arthur Simon Simpson in 1964's Topkapi. His final performance was in the 2003 television drama Winter Solstice. Ustinov also wrote 16 screenplays, directed eight films and produced five. Ustinov served for many years as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. He was knighted for his humanitarian work by Queen Elizabeth in 1990.

It is with deep regret that we toll the Bell for Sir Peter Ustinov.

He will be missed.

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