Peter Sellers

One of the most accomplished comic actors of the late 20th century, Peter Sellers breathed life into the accident-prone Inspector Clouseau in "The Pink Panther" (1963) and its three sequels, as well as such classics as "Lolita" (1962), "Dr. Strangelove" (1964), "The Party" (1968) and "Being There" (1979). The son of English vaudevillians, his ability to completely transform himself into outrageous comic characters received its first showcase on the legendary radio series "The Goon Show" in the 1950s. Film roles in the 1950s and 1960s were devoted to his knack for mimicry of accents and character types, with Stanley Kubrick's "Lolita" and "Dr. Strangelove" underscoring his talent for drama as well. His best-known role of Inspector Clouseau surfaced in 1963, and he would return, sometimes reluctantly, to the franchise throughout his life before scoring a personal triumph as the simple-minded gardener who influences the Presidency in Hal Ashby's "Being There" (1980). He showed a dedication to performance and humor that made him one of the greatest inspirations to comedians and film fans for decades.