Who Is Peter Cushing? Age, Biography and Wiki
Peter Cushing, originally born on May 26, 1913, was a celebrated English actor renowned for his impactful roles in classic horror films and his presence in British cinema. He gained immense fame for his portrayals of iconic characters such as Dr. Van Helsing in Dracula (1958) and Grand Moff Tarkin in Star Wars (1977). With a career that spanned over five decades, Cushing left behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire actors and filmmakers today. Tragically, he passed away on August 11, 1994, but his contributions to the film industry are commemorated through various documentaries, retrospectives, and fan tributes.
| Occupation | Stage Actor |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 26, 1913 |
| Age | 81 Years |
| Birth Place | Kenley, Surrey, England |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | England |
| Date of death | 11 August, 1994 |
| Died Place | Canterbury, Kent, England |
Popularity
Peter Cushing's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Peter Cushing stood at an impressive height of approximately 6 feet (183 cm). His weight fluctuated during different points in his life, as he maintained an athletic physique for many of his roles. Although exact measurements may not be available, he was known for his slender build that complemented his charismatic screen presence.
During the filming of Star Wars, Cushing was provided with a pair of boots far too small to accommodate his size twelve feet. This caused a great deal of pain for him during shooting, but the costume designers did not have enough time to get him another pair.
As a result, he asked Lucas to film as many shots of him as possible from the waist up and, after the director agreed, Cushing wore slippers during the scenes where his feet were not visible.
During rehearsals, Lucas originally planned for Tarkin and Vader to use a giant screen filled with computerised architectural representations of hallways to monitor the whereabouts of Skywalker, Solo, and Organa.
Although the idea was abandoned before filming began, Cushing and Prowse rehearsed those scenes in a set built by the computer animation artist Larry Cuba.
The close-up shots of Cushing aboard the Death Star, shown right before the battlestation is destroyed, were actually extra footage taken from previously shot scenes with Cushing that did not make the final film.
During production, Lucas decided to add those shots, along with second unit footage of the Death Star gunners preparing to fire, to heighten the space battle scenes.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Peter Cushing was married to his beloved wife, Helen Cushing, from 1943 until her passing in 1971. The couple shared a deep bond that endured through adversity, and Peter often spoke of Helen with great affection. While it is known that he had a few close relationships throughout his life, he remained a devoted husband, focusing on his career and family following Helen's death. As of 2025, Cushing's legacy continues to thrive through his films, as he has no reported boyfriends or romantic relationships posthumously.
His father, a quantity surveyor, was a reserved and uncommunicative man whom Peter said he never got to know very well. His mother was the daughter of a carpet merchant and considered of a lower class than her husband.
Cushing's family consisted of several stage actors, including his paternal grandfather, Henry William Cushing (who toured with Henry Irving), his paternal aunt Maude Cushing (his father's sister) and his step-uncle Wilton Herriot, after whom Peter Cushing received his middle name.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Peter Cushing's net worth was estimated to be around $10 million. Although this figure is reflective of his successful career as an actor and his substantial contributions to the entertainment industry, it is important to note that earnings may have changed in the years following his death due to the ongoing sales of his films and memorabilia. His effective work in cinema and television has made Cushing a prominent figure whose estate continues to benefit from his talent.
Cushing recorded occasional radio spots and appeared in week-long stints as a featured player at the Q Theatre, but otherwise work was difficult to come by. He found a modest success in a 1945 production of Sheridan's The Rivals at Westminster's Criterion Theatre, which earned him enough money to pay off some growing debts.
The war years continued to prove difficult for him, however, and at one point he was forced to work designing ladies head-scarves at a Macclesfield-based silk manufacturer to make ends meet.
In the autumn of 1946, after the war ended, Cushing unsuccessfully auditioned for the part of Paul Verrall in a stage production of the play Born Yesterday that was being staged by the famed actor and director Laurence Olivier. He was not cast because he insisted he could not perform in an American accent.
After Cushing attempted the accent and failed, Olivier replied, "Well, I appreciate you not wasting my time. I shall remember you." Nearing middle age and finding it increasingly harder to make a living in acting, Cushing began to consider himself a failure.
Career, Business and Investments
Peter Cushing's career began in theatre before transitioning to film, achieving stardom with his roles in Hammer Horror films. Throughout the 60s and 70s, he became synonymous with Gothic horror, appearing in numerous notable films. Besides acting, Cushing also engaged in television, most famously in the BBC series Sherlock Holmes. His investments and business ventures remain relatively private, but his legacy in film has been sustained through continued interest in his work.
Peter Wilton Cushing (26 May 1913 – 11 August 1994) was an English actor. His acting career spanned over six decades and included appearances in more than 100 films, as well as many television, stage and radio roles. He achieved recognition for his leading performances in the Hammer Productions horror films from the 1950s to 1970s and as Grand Moff Tarkin in Star Wars (1977).
Social Network
While Peter Cushing lived before the age of social media, his memory and influence persist through dedicated fan sites, social media pages honoring his legacy, and numerous forums where fans gather to discuss his films. Cushing's work has also been celebrated on various platforms where cult classic films are discussed, showcasing his evergreen popularity among audiences.
Unlike Frankenstein (1931) produced by Universal, the Hammer films revolved mainly around Victor Frankenstein, rather than his monster. The screenwriter Jimmy Sangster wrote the protagonist as an ambitious, egotistical and coldly intellectual scientist who despised his contemporaries.
Unlike the character from the novel and past film versions, Cushing's Baron Frankenstein commits vicious crimes to attain his goals, including the murder of a colleague to obtain a brain for his creature. The Curse of Frankenstein also featured Christopher Lee, who played Frankenstein's monster.
Cushing and Lee became extremely close friends, and remained so for the rest of Cushing's life. They first met on the set of the film, where Lee was still wearing the monster make-up prepared by Phil Leakey. Hammer Studios' publicity department put out a story that when Cushing first encountered Lee without the make-up on, he screamed in terror.
Education
Peter Cushing attended the Eastbourne School of Art, where he refined his artistic talents and developed an interest in acting. His formal education provided the foundational skills for his later success on stage and screen. Although his academic background is not heavily documented, his dedication to the craft of acting is evident in his performance history and his enduring impact on the film industry.
As we reflect on Peter Cushing's life and career in 2025, his contributions to cinema remain significant, ensuring his status as a beloved figure in film history is maintained for generations to come.
He began his early education in Dulwich, South London, before attending Shoreham Grammar School in Shoreham-by-Sea, on the Sussex coast between Brighton and Worthing. Prone to homesickness, he was miserable at the boarding school and spent only one term there before returning home.
He attended Purley County Grammar School, where he swam and played cricket and rugby. With the exception of art, Cushing was a self-proclaimed poor student in most subjects and had little attention span for that which did not interest him. He got fair grades only through the help of his brother, a strong student who did his homework for him.
Cushing harboured aspirations for the arts all throughout his youth, especially acting. His childhood inspiration was Tom Mix, an American film actor and star of many Western films. D.J.
Davies, the Purley County Grammar School physics teacher who produced all the school's plays, recognised some acting potential in him and encouraged him to participate in the theatre, even allowing Cushing to skip class to paint sets.
He played the lead in nearly every school production during his teenage years, including the role of Sir Anthony Absolute in a 1929 staging of Richard Brinsley Sheridan's comedy of manners play, The Rivals.
