The great actor Peter Graves has diedGraves, probably best known for playing secret agent Jim Phelps on TV's "Mission: Impossible," which ran from 1966-73 was found dead at his home in Pacific Palisades.
His first starring role came in Billy Wilder’s Stalag 17, in which he played a Nazi spy, despite his distinctly American look.
After years of playing arrow-straight characters, he turned down the role of Captain Oveur in the classic comedy spoof Airplane!
However, after meeting the film’s producers, he decided to go for it, saying, “They say you are supposed to stretch as an actor, so let’s go stretch it.” (he reprised the role in Airplane II: The Sequel) Later in the 80's he returned for the "Mission: Impossible" TV revival
Graves had a very prolific career in TV and film
He also directed an episode of "Gunsmoke" starring his older brother James Arness and an episode of MI in 1973 called Kidnap.
As a fan of Mission and the first Airplane! Graves certainly left me with fond memories He will be sorely missed
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