Origins & Early Life

Sir Peter Alexander Ustinov ( OO-stin-ov; 16 April 1921 – 28 March 2004) was a British actor, writer and humanitarian. An internationally known raconteur, he was a fixture on television talk shows and lecture circuits for much of his career. Ustinov received numerous accolades including two Academy Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a Silver Bear, a Laurel Award, a Photoplay Award and a Grammy Award, as well as nominations for three BAFTA Awards, two Tony Awards, two Laurence Olivier Awards and a Gemini Award. In 1992, Ustinov was awarded with the British Academy Britannia Award.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Ustinov received two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor for his roles in Spartacus (1960), and Topkapi (1964). He also starred in notable films such as Quo Vadis (1951), The Sundowners (1960), Billy Budd (1962), and Hot Millions (1968). He voiced Prince John and King Richard in the Walt Disney Animated film Robin Hood (1973), and portrayed Agatha Christie's fictional detective Hercule Poirot six times for both film and television. Ustinov also displayed a unique cultural versatility which frequently earned him the accolade of a Renaissance man. Miklós Rózsa, composer of the music...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• ʻAbdu'l-Bahá — Contemporary (Died in 1921) (1921): Successor to Baháʼu'lláh and guiding light of the Baháʼí Faith.
• Akio Morita — Contemporary (Born in 1921) (1921): Visionary Japanese entrepreneur and co-founder of Sony.
• Alex Haley — Contemporary (Born in 1921) (1921): Pioneering author of 'Roots,' who brought Black American genealogy to global prominence.
• A. A. K. Niazi — Contemporary (Died in 2004) (2004): Pakistani general who commanded Eastern Command during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
• Christopher Reeve — Contemporary (Died in 2004) (2004): Esteemed actor and tireless advocate for disability rights.
• Daniel J. Boorstin — Contemporary (Died in 2004) (2004): Influential American historian, Librarian of Congress, and proponent of consensus history.
• Akon — Shared historical date (04-16 · Born) (1973): Senegalese-American singer, songwriter, and influential figure in world music.
• Alexis de Tocqueville — Shared historical date (04-16 · Died) (1859): French philosopher known for analyzing Western democracy and social trends.
• Alexander Grothendieck — Shared historical date (03-28 · Born) (1928): Pioneering figure in modern algebraic geometry and category theory.
• Amancio Ortega — Shared historical date (03-28 · Born) (1936): Founder of Inditex and pioneer of the fast fashion industry.
• 1921 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1921
• April 16 (04-16) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on April 16
• 2004 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2004
• March 28 (03-28) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 28