Peter Ustinov

Date of Birth: April 16, 1921

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: March 28, 2004

Biography

Peter Ustinov, born Peter Alexander Freiherr von Ustinov, was a British actor, writer, and filmmaker, whose career spanned over six decades. Born on April 16, 1921, in London, Ustinov came from a multicultural background with Russian, German, and Ethiopian heritage. He displayed an early talent for acting and storytelling, which led him to study at the Westminster School and later at the London Theatre Studio. Ustinov made his film debut in 1940 with “Hullo Fame!” and gained widespread recognition for his roles in “Quo Vadis” (1951), “Spartacus” (1960), and “Topkapi” (1964), among others. He won two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor for his performances in “Spartacus” and “Topkapi.” Beyond acting, Ustinov was a prolific writer, penning several plays, books, and screenplays. He was also a respected director and producer, with credits including the film adaptation of his play “Romanoff and Juliet.” In addition to his entertainment career, Ustinov was a prominent humanitarian. He served as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and was knighted in 1990 for his services to the arts and international relations. Peter Ustinov passed away on March 28, 2004, in Genolier, Switzerland, leaving behind a legacy of diverse and impactful work.

5 Interesting Facts about Peter Ustinov

1. Peter Ustinov was fluent in multiple languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish.

2. He served in the British Army during World War II, where he was involved in film and radio work for the troops.

3. Ustinov was known for his wit and humor, often appearing on talk shows and as a guest speaker at various events.

4. He was awarded the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor twice, for his roles in “Spartacus” (1960) and “Topkapi” (1964).

5. Ustinov was knighted in 1990 and later received the Companion of Honour (CH) in 1998 for his contributions to drama and society.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Peter Ustinov

1. “Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious.”

2. “It is our responsibilities, not ourselves, that we should take seriously.”

3. “The point of living and of being an optimist is to be foolish enough to believe the best is yet to come.”

4. “Courage is often lack of insight, whereas cowardice in many cases is based on good information.”

5. “To refuse awards is another way of accepting them with more noise than is normal.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Peter Ustinov was estimated to be around $20 million.

Children

Peter Ustinov had three children: 1. Tamara Ustinov – an actress known for her work in British television. 2. Igor Ustinov – a sculptor and artist. 3. Pavla Ustinov – not much is publicly known about her, as she has largely stayed out of the public eye.