Pink Panther legend Peter Sellers a master of many voices but never really knew himself

British comic genius Peter Sellers could change his persona at the drop of a hat, but suffered from an identity problem that would be his downfall

16/07/2008 LIBDISCARDS: 12/03/1997 PIRATE: British actor Peter Sellers in scene from film "The Return of the Pi...

Few actors could get near Peter Sellers when it came to his ability to transform into multiple characters.

Born 90 years ago today, the late, great Sellers was renowned for the dozens of voices he used as part of The Goons comedy ensemble. He also often played several characters in the same film. His ability to be someone other than himself may have stemmed from confusion about who he really was.

He once joked during an appearance on The Muppet Show: “I could never be myself ... There is no me ... I had it surgically removed.”

TRAGIC BURDEN

Part of that confusion must have stemmed from the fact he was born Richard Henry Sellers, not Peter, on September 8, 1925. He was the child of musical hall performers Bill Sellers and Agnes Doreen “Peg” Sellers (nee Marks), but Peg had previously given birth to a stillborn son they had named Peter, so they began calling their new son Peter.

Sellers was nearly born on stage. His mother’s contractions began during her act but she stoically finished the show before giving birth. At just two weeks of age, he was taken on stage at the Kings Theatre in Portsmouth by popular comedian Dick Henderson. When the audience sang For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow, the infant Sellers cried, and the audience roared with laughter.

Always a sensitive child, Sellers grew up around the footlights, but it was a disruptive life and he often moved around. Descended from the first Jewish-English boxing champion, Daniel Mendoza, Sellers often identified with his charismatic ancestor. He studied at Catholic schools and never adopted Judaism, but once he discovered it, remained proud of his Jewish ancestry, despite feeling out of place as the only Jew in a Catholic school.

A MIMIC IS BORN

He was spoiled by his mother, who encouraged his theatrical leanings, but his father was always doubtful of his son’s abilities. An ability he honed at school was that of mimicry. He would hear an accent, or a voice, and was quickly able to mimic it.

At 15, Sellers got his first job, at an uncle’s theatre. He worked mostly backstage but eventually worked up an act playing ukulele and telling jokes. He was also a proficient jazz drummer and played in bands.

That career path came to an end at the age of 17, while World War II was still in progress, when Sellers was called up for military service. He joined the RAF, hoping to make it as a pilot, but his theatrical talents saw him put to the task of entertaining the troops.

Demobilised in 1946, after serving time in India and occupied Germany, he tried to pick up where he left off with his theatre career but, in 1948, he auditioned for the BBC, changing his career direction toward TV, radio and eventually film.

Around this time, Sellers had met London-based Australian actress Ann Howe and they were married in 1950.

THREE OF A KIND

In 1951, he teamed up with Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe and Michael Bentine for the radio comedy The Goon Show. It ran for nine years and made Sellers famous.

By then, he had also made his screen debut, but it was the film The Ladykillers that ignited his film career.

FAILING HEALTH

But as Sellers’ fame grew, so did his ego. In the ’60s, particularly after the success of The Pink Panther in 1963, he became notoriously difficult to work with, vain about his appearance and a compulsive womaniser (he and Ann divorced in 1963). Prone to attacks of depression over insecurities, he also began experimenting with drugs, which contributed to his first heart attack.

Sellers married Swedish actress Britt Ekland in 1964, but it was a volatile relationship and they divorced in 1968.

He ignored medical advice about his heart, preferring to seek alternative remedies. A pacemaker was fitted after another heart attack in 1977 but he continued to push himself with work and refused heart surgery. Sellers died in 1980 of a massive heart attack.

At the time he was married to Lynne Frederick, who he had wed in 1977 when she was just 22.

She later died at the age of 39 as a result of substance abuse.

SELLERS’ ACCOLADES

I’m Alright Jack (1959): BAFTA for Best Actor

Lolita (1962): Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor

The Pink Panther (1963): Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor, Evening News British Film Award winner for Best Actor

Dr Strangelone (1964): Nominations for an Oscar and for BAFTA Best Actor award

Being There (1979):Won Golden Globe for Best Actor, nominated for an Oscar

Originally published as Pink Panther legend Peter Sellers a master of many voices but never really knew himself