Peter Graves Net Worth

Peter Graves Orchestra net worth is
$8 Million

Peter Graves Orchestra Wiki Biography

Peter Duesler Aurness was born on 18 March 1926, in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA, of English, German and Norwegian descent. Peter was an actor, best known for being part of the CBS television series “Mission: Impossible” as Jim Phelps from 1967 to 1973, and then also part of the show’s revival from 1988 to 1990. All of his efforts have helped put his net worth to where was prior to his passing.

How rich was Peter Graves? As of early-2017, sources inform us of a net worth that was at $8 million, mostly earned through success in his acting endeavors. He was also part of the comedy film “Airplane!” and subsequently “Airplane II: The Sequel”. All of these achievements ensured the position of his wealth.

Peter Graves Net Worth $8 million

Peter attended Southwest High School, and would matriculate in 1944. Afterwards, he would spend two years as part of the US Army Air Force during World War II, then after returning home, he attended the University of Minnesota.

At the start of his acting career, he used the stage name “Graves” in honor of his mother’s family. He also used it to avoid confusion with his older brother – actor James Arness. One of his first notable roles was in the television series “Fury”, in which he played the rancher and single father, Jim Newton, following his was casting in the World War II film “Stalag 17”. In 1960, he was given the lead role in the series “Whiplash”, which aired until 1961 and featured a total of 34 episodes. In the show, he played Christopher Cobb, an American who goes to Australia in 1850 to establish their first stagecoach line; his character used a bullwhip rather than a gun to fight enemies. After the show, he starred in “Court Marshal” as Army lawyer Major Frank Whittaker. He also made guest appearances in “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”, “Cimarron City”, and “The Invaders” – his popularity continued to increase, and so did his net worth.

In 1967, Graves was recruited by Desilu Studios to replace Steven Hill in “Mission: Impossible” as the character James Phelps, and would be part of the series for six seasons. The show ended in 1973 and he then made a cameo appearance in the film “Sidecar Racers”, and in the soap opera “Class of 74”. In 1983, he was cast in the miniseries “The Winds of War” which became the second-most watched miniseries of all time in that year. He appeared in several serious roles in the next few years, and would then be a part of the revival of “Mission: Impossible” again, the only original series cast member to return as a regular in the show which lasted for two seasons from 1988 to 1990, and he would then star in “Call to Danger”.

In the 1990s, Peter became the host of the show “Biography” on A&E, appeared in “Mystery Science Theater 3000”, and was then cast in “Men in Black II” playing a parody of his “Biography” work. In 1996, he was offered the role of Jim Phelps in the “Mission: Impossible” film, but turned it down, as his character was turned into a villain and it disappointed a lot of fans of the original series. He also became the narrator of the game “Darkstar: The Interactive Movie” which would be his last project.

Peter won several awards over the course of his career. These include a Golden Globe Award for his role in “Mission: Impossible”. He also won a Primetime Emmy Award for his work in “Biography”. In 2009, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

For his personal life, it is known that Graves was a Christian, and was married to Joan Endress from 1950 until his passing in 2010 following a heart attack; they had three daughters.


Full NamePeter Graves
Net Worth$8 Million
Date Of BirthMarch 18, 1926
DiedMarch 14, 2010, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California, United States
Place Of BirthMinneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Height1.92 m
ProfessionActor
EducationUniversity of Minnesota, Southwest High School
NationalityAmerican
SpouseJoan Graves (m. 1950–2010)
ChildrenAmanda Graves, Kelly Graves, Claudia Graves
ParentsRuth Aurness, Rolf Cirkler Aurness
SiblingsJames Arness
IMDBhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0336335/
AwardsGolden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Series
NominationsGolden Globe Award for Best TV Star - Male, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series
MoviesAirplane!, The Night of the Hunter, The Five Man Army, Airplane II: The Sequel, It Conquered the World, Killers from Space, Stalag 17, Beginning of the End, The Long Gray Line, The Ballad of Josie, The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell, Savannah Smiles, Red Planet Mars, Texas Across the River, The Win...
TV ShowsMission: Impossible, Court Martial, Whiplash, Fury, Biography, Where's Raymond?, Discover: The World of Science
#Trademark
1Charismatic characters whose leadership inspires great confidence
2Broad shoulders
3Deep commanding voice
4Grey hair and blue eyes
#Quote
1Some people just stand out on the screen. Bob certainly did. [commenting on Airplane! co-star Robert Stack]
#Fact
1Bore slight resemblances to those of Buddy Ebsen and Martin Landau, who also starred in Mission: Impossible (1966) with him.
2Peter Graves passed away only one year before his older brother James Arness. Peter Graves died in 2010 while James Arness died in 2011.
3Was good friends with: Dean Martin,Frank Sinatra,Peter Lawford,Sammy Davis Jr.,Telly Savalas,Bob Hope,William Holden,Gary Cooper,Robert Mitchum,George Kennedy,Van Heflin,Robert Fuller,William Shatner,Michael Landon,Pernell Roberts,Clint Walker,Robert Conrad,Troy Donahue,Mike Connors,DeForest Kelley,Barbara Rush,Robert Goulet,Walter Matthau,Leslie Nielsen,Robert Stack,Joan Collins,Shirley Jones,Zsa Zsa Gabor,Doris Day,Beverly Garland.As well as his 'Mission Impossible' co-stars Martin Landau,Barbara Bain,Greg Morris,Leonard Nimoy,Lynda Day George and Peter Lupus.
4Phil Morris, the son of his future Mission: Impossible (1988) co-star Greg Morris, grew up with Graves' children and was said to be a huge fan of the show.
5While a member of the track team, he won the State High Hurdles Championship in his junior year of high school.
6Brother James Arness moved to Los Angeles, California before World War II; Graves moved there after the war, when he was discharged from the military.
7When he was 12 he discovered the music of Benny Goodman, a jazz clarinetist. It made a lasting impression and led him to join the band in junior high.
8His mother cultivated a love for the arts in both he and older (by three years) brother James Arness.
9Acting ran in his family.
10Met Joan Graves while in college. She would be his wife for nearly 60 years, until Graves' own passing in 2010.
11During World War II he and his brother James Arness joined the US Army. Arness was an infantryman and was wounded in the battle of Anzio, Italy, while Graves was posted to the Army Air Force (which later became a separate branch of the US military).
12An athletic enthusiast.
13In 1941, when he was 15, he become one of the youngest members of the musician's union.
14His father, Rolf Aurness, sold surgical instruments, and his mother, Ruth Duesler Graves, was a housewife.
15Before he was a successful actor, he worked in a variety of jobs, such as cab driver.
16Before he was a successful actor, he was in a post-band in Denver.
17Began his career as a contract player for Eagle-Lion Pictures in 1950.
18College classmate of Jack Smight.
19Before he married Joan Graves; her parents asked Graves to get a steady job. He went to Los Angeles, California, to become an actor.
20He played a tuba in junior high; which was something he didn't enjoy, So his father gave him a clarinet.
21Upon his death, he was cremated. His ashes are in his family's possession.
22Was a Boy Scout.
23Acting mentor and friend of Lynda Day George.
24Died on March 14, 2010, just four days before his 84th birthday.
25He was a registered Republican.
26Words of remembrance tribute provided by critic Richard Corliss for "Time" magazine's milestones section (Issue: March 29, 2010).
27Received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6667 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on October 30, 2009.
28Interviewed in "Earth vs. the Sci-Fi Filmmakers" by Tom Weaver (McFarland, 2005).
29Ex-brother-in-law of Virginia Chapman.
30Uncle of Craig Aurness, Rolf Aurness and Jenny Lee Arness.
31Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Jim Phelps in Mission: Impossible (1966).
32Although he and older brother James Arness never acted onscreen together, Graves did direct him in Gunsmoke: Which Dr. (1966).
33He said it was almost over for Capt. Clarence Oveur before the movie Airplane! (1980) took flight. Graves said he was astounded when his agent sent him the script for the 1980 spoof, and after reading it he felt that it was "the worst piece of junk" he had ever seen. However, he changed his mind after meeting with the movie's writers, Jerry Zucker and David Zucker.
34Daughters with Endress: Kelly, Claudia and Amanda Graves.

All pictures

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Laredo1966TV SeriesBen Conrad
Attack of the Eye Creatures1965TV MovieNarrator of USAF Briefing Film (uncredited)
A Rage to Live1965Jack Hollister
Mr. Kingston1964TV Movie
The Great Adventure1964TV SeriesDaniel Boone
The Virginian1964TV SeriesRobert Gaynor
The Farmer's Daughter1964TV SeriesCongressman McDermott
Kraft Suspense Theatre1963TV SeriesMaj. Frank Whitaker
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour1963TV SeriesMark Needham
Route 661962TV SeriesPeter Hale / Lee Fisk
Whiplash1961TV SeriesChris Cobb / Christopher Cobb
Las Vegas Beat1961TV MovieBill Ballin
Fury1955-1960TV SeriesJim Newton / Cyrus
A Stranger in My Arms1959Donald Ashton Beasley
Cimarron City1959TV SeriesJens Seidengaard
Wolf Larsen1958Van Weyden
Climax!1957-1958TV SeriesSteve Baxter / Stanley
Death in Small Doses1957Agent / Tom Kaylor
Beginning of the End1957Dr. Ed Wainwright
Bayou1957Martin Davis
Lux Video Theatre1957TV SeriesJoel Barker
The Millionaire1956TV SeriesPaul Hartley
Canyon River1956Bob Andrews
Hold Back the Night1956Lt. Lee Couzens
It Conquered the World1956Dr. Paul Nelson
Cavalcade of America1956TV SeriesMaj. Tom Howie
Matinee Theatre1956TV SeriesChristopher Newman
Celebrity Playhouse1956TV Series
Studio One in Hollywood1956TV SeriesGlenn
The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell1955Capt. Bob Elliott
Fort Yuma1955Lt. Ben Keegan
The Naked Street1955Joe McFarland
The Night of the Hunter1955Ben Harper
Wichita1955Morgan
Robbers' Roost1955Heesman
Fireside Theatre1953-1955TV SeriesEddie / Lonnie Berghoff / Robert / ...
The Man Who Tore Down the Wall1955TV MovieDr. James Ewing
TV Reader's Digest1955TV SeriesExpectant Father
The Long Gray Line1955Cpl. Rudolph Heinz
Black Tuesday1954Peter Manning
Studio 571954TV SeriesJim Bailey
Your Favorite Story1954TV Series
A Man of Many Ideas1954TV MovieSam Wanamaker
The Raid1954Capt. Frank Dwyer
The Yellow Tomahawk1954Walt Sawyer
Killers from Space1954Dr. Doug Paul Martin
Biff Baker, U.S.A.1954TV Series
The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse1953-1954TV SeriesFred Crain
Schlitz Playhouse1953TV SeriesRocky Kent
Beneath the 12-Mile Reef1953Arnold Dix
Chevron Theatre1953TV Series
Where's Raymond?1953TV Series
East of Sumatra1953Cowboy
War Paint1953Trooper Tolson
Stalag 171953Sgt. Frank Price
Red Planet Mars1952Chris Cronyn
Gruen Guild Theater1952TV SeriesAgent Fielding
The Congregation1952
Fort Defiance1951Ned Tallon
Angels in the Outfield1951Radio Announcer (uncredited)
Up Front1951Military Policeman (uncredited)
Rogue River1951Pete Dandridge
Christmas in SwedenShortOffscreen narrator (unconfirmed, uncredited)
Darkstar: The Interactive Movie2010Video GameNarrator (voice)
Jack's Family Adventure2010TV MovieUncle George Vickery
Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust2009Video GameClark Tasslemuff (voice)
7th Heaven1997-2007TV SeriesJohn 'The Colonel' Camden
American Dad!2007TV SeriesMr. Pibb
Cold Case2006TV SeriesAnton Bikker - 2006
Minoriteam2006TV SeriesSheldon
House M.D.2005TV SeriesMyron
With You in Spirit2003TV MovieHal Whitman
Looney Tunes: Back in Action2003Host of Civil Defense Film (uncredited)
House of Mouse2001TV SeriesInstructor Voice (segment 'How to Be a Spy')
Biography1994-2001TV Series documentaryNarrator
These Old Broads2001TV MovieBill
Diagnosis Murder1997-1999TV SeriesDoctor on TV / Peter Graves
The Angry Beavers1998TV SeriesGeneral Warning / Narrator
Burke's Law1995TV Series
Addams Family Values1993Host
The Golden Girls1991TV SeriesJerry Kennedy
Mission: Impossible1988-1990TV SeriesJim Phelps
War and Remembrance1988TV Mini-SeriesPalmer Kirby
If It's Tuesday, It Still Must Be Belgium1987TV MovieMr. Wainwright
Number One with a Bullet1987Capt. Ferris
The Love Boat1978-1987TV SeriesCarl Lawrence / Leonard Culver / Rev. Gerald Whitney
Life with Lucy1986TV SeriesBen Marshall
Murder, She Wrote1984TV SeriesDr. Edmund Gerard
Fox Mystery Theater1984TV SeriesVicar John Bray
Mad Mission 3: Our Man from Bond Street1984Tom Collins
Fantasy Island1978-1983TV SeriesCaptain Hendrik Von Horten / Ned J. Scott / Jack Summers / ...
The Winds of War1983TV Mini-SeriesPalmer 'Fred' Kirby
Airplane II: The Sequel1982Captain Clarence Oveur
Savannah Smiles1982Harland Dobbs
The Guns and the Fury1981Mark Janser
Simon & Simon1981TV SeriesWade Christian
Best of Friends1981TV MovieNick Adams
300 Miles for Stephanie1981TV MovieCaptain McIntyre
Airplane!1980Captain Clarence Oveur
The Memory of Eva Ryker1980TV MovieMike Rogers
Matt and Jenny1980TV SeriesJake Winfield
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century1979TV SeriesMajor Noah Cooper
Death Car on the Freeway1979TV MovieLieutenant Haller
The Clonus Horror1979Jeff Knight
The Rebels1979TV MovieGeorge Washington
Spree1979Kandaris
Missile X: The Neutron Bomb Incident1979Alec Franklin
The Gift of the Magi1978TV MovieO. Henry
High Seas Hijack1977Elliott Rhoades (English version only)
SST: Death Flight1977TV MoviePaul Whitley
Dead Man on the Run1975TV MovieJim Gideon
Sidecar Racers1975Carson
Where Have All the People Gone1974TV MovieSteven Anders
The Underground Man1974TV MovieLew Archer
Scream of the Wolf1974TV MovieJohn Wetherby
The President's Plane Is Missing1973TV MovieMark Jones
Mission: Impossible1967-1973TV SeriesJames Phelps Jim Phelps
Call to Danger1973TV MovieDoug Warfield
The Five Man Army1969Dutchman
The Red Skelton Hour1969TV SeriesU.S. Astronaut
Call to Danger1968TV MovieJim Kingsley
Premiere1968TV SeriesJim Kingsley
Valley of Mystery1967TV MovieBen Barstow
The Invaders1967TV SeriesSgt. Gavin Lewis
The F.B.I.1967TV SeriesManning Fryes
The Ballad of Josie1967Jason Meredith
12 O'Clock High1967TV SeriesCapt. Cal Dula
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color1966TV SeriesMarshal Neimeyer
Texas Across the River1966Capt. Stimpson
Daniel Boone1966TV SeriesLogan Harris
Run for Your Life1966TV SeriesJim Carlson
Court Martial1965-1966TV SeriesMaj. Frank Whittaker Major Frank Whittaker
Branded1966TV SeriesSenator Keith Ashley

Director

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Mission: Impossible1972TV Series 1 episode
Gunsmoke1966TV Series 1 episode

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Life on Planet 512010Video documentary short special thanks

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Pioneers of Television2011TV Mini-Series documentaryHimself
What a Difference a Day Made: Doris Day Superstar2009TV Movie documentaryHimself
Jimmy Kimmel Live!2009TV SeriesHimself
The Florence Henderson Show2009TV SeriesHimself
Today2008TV SeriesHimself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno2007TV SeriesHimself
The O'Reilly Factor2007TV SeriesHimself - Guest
12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards2006TV SpecialHimself
Airplane: Long-Haul Version2005Video documentaryHimself - 'Captain Oveur'
The Making of 'War & Remembrance'2004Video shortHimself
On the Record with Bob Costas2004TV SeriesHimself
Behind the Legend: Timon2004Video shortHimself - Host
Super Secret Movie Rules2004TV Series documentaryHimself ("Captain Oveur" - Airplane!)
CBS at 752003TV Special documentaryHimself
Men in Black II2002Himself
Biography1987-2002TV Series documentaryHimself - Host / Himself / Narrator / ...
Lesley Ann Warren: A Cinderella Story2000TV Movie documentaryHimself - Narrator
House on Haunted Hill1999Himself
Mickey Mouse Works1999TV SeriesHimself - Narrator
Harrison Ford: The Reluctant Hero1998TV Movie documentaryHimself - Narrator
The Daily Show1998TV SeriesHimself
The 19th Annual CableACE Awards1997TV SpecialHimself
The 49th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1997TV SpecialHimself - Winner: Outstanding Informational Series
Gloria Swanson: The Greatest Star1997TV Movie documentaryHimself - Narrator
Betty Boop: Queen of the Cartoons1995DocumentaryHimself - Narrator (voice)
The Unexplained: Witches, Werewolves & Vampires1994TV Movie documentaryHimself - Host
Golden Globes 50th Anniversary Celebration1994TV MovieHimself
Northern Lights1993TV Movie documentaryNarration
Solid Gold1987TV SeriesHimself
You Are the Jury1987TV SeriesHimself - Host / Narrator
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Billy Wilder1986TV Special documentaryHimself
All-Star Party for 'Dutch' Reagan1985TV SpecialHimself
The 37th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1985TV SpecialHimself - Presenter: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Monsters, Madmen & Machines: 25 Years of Science Fiction1984TV Movie documentaryactor 'It Conquered the World'
The Mike Douglas Show1976-1980TV SeriesHimself / Himself - Actor
Steve Martin: Comedy Is Not Pretty1980TV SpecialTV Director
The Alan Hamel Show1980TV SeriesHimself
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color1978TV SeriesHimself - Narrator
The Sonny and Cher Show1977TV SeriesHimself / Various Characters
Dinah!1975-1976TV SeriesHimself
Magic at the Roxy1976TV SpecialHimself - Host
Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Dennis Weaver1976TV SpecialHimself
The Mysterious Monsters1975DocumentaryHimself - Narrator
Other People, Other Places1974TV Series documentaryNarrator
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Telly Savalas1974TV SpecialHimself
Valley of the Old Ones1974TV Series documentaryHost and Narrator
Dinah Shore: In Search of the Ideal Man1973TV SpecialHimself
This Is Your Life1971-1972TV SeriesHimself
The 29th Annual Golden Globe Awards1972TV SpecialHimself
The David Frost Show1972TV SeriesHimself
The Dean Martin Show1968-1971TV SeriesHimself
Funny Face1971TV SeriesHimself
The 23rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1971TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
The Tim Conway Comedy Hour1970TV SeriesHimself
The 12th Annual TV Week Logie Awards1970TV SpecialHimself
The 27th Annual Golden Globes Awards1970TV SpecialHimself
The Jonathan Winters Show1968TV SeriesHimself - Guest
The Joey Bishop Show1968TV SeriesHimself
Here's Hollywood1961TV SeriesHimself
The Ed Sullivan Show1955TV SeriesHimself

Archive Footage

Won Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2009Star on the Walk of FameWalk of FameTelevisionOn 23 October 2009. At 6667 Hollywood Blvd.
1997Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Informational SeriesJudy Garland: Beyond the Rainbow (1997)
1971Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest TV Actor - DramaMission: Impossible (1966)

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
1995CableACECableACE AwardsInformational or Documentary HostBiography (1987)
1970Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest TV Actor - DramaMission: Impossible (1966)
1969Golden GlobeGolden Globes, USABest TV Star - MaleMission: Impossible (1966)
1969Primetime EmmyPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic SeriesMission: Impossible (1966)

Known for movies


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