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Peter Dyneley

British-Canadian actor (1921–1977) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Peter Dyneley (13 April 1921 – 19 August 1977) was an English and Canadian actor and bass.[3] Although he appeared in many minor and supporting parts in both film and television, he is best remembered for supplying the voice of Jeff Tracy for the 1960s "Supermarionation" television series Thunderbirds and its two film spinoffs, Thunderbirds Are Go (1966) and Thunderbird 6 (1968), all produced by Gerry Anderson. Dyneley also provided the voice of the countdown that introduces the Thunderbirds title sequence.[4]

Born(1921-04-13)13 April 1921
Hastings, Sussex, England
Died19 August 1977(1977-08-19) (aged 56)
London, England
Quick facts Born, Died ...
Peter Dyneley
Dyneley in 1975
Born(1921-04-13)13 April 1921
Hastings, Sussex, England
Died19 August 1977(1977-08-19) (aged 56)
London, England
EducationRadley College
Alma materMcGill University
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
OccupationsActor, singer
Years active1954–1977
TelevisionThunderbirds (1965–66)
Spouse(s)Christine May (divorced)
​
(m. 1956)​
[1]
Children2[2]
Military career
Allegiance Canada
Branch
 Royal Canadian Navy
Conflicts
World War II
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Early life and education

Born in Hastings, Sussex on 13 April 1921, Dyneley spent his early years in Canada but was educated at Radley College in Oxfordshire, UK.[5] He enrolled in McGill University, but his studies were interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War, and Dyneley enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy.[5] After the war, he attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, where he studied opera and developed his bass voice.

Career

Thanks to his Canadian upbringing, Dyneley frequently performed with a North American accent. He acted primarily in stage productions prior to 1954,[6] including a Broadway revival of George Bernard Shaw's The Millionairess,[7] when he turned his attention to film.

On stage and in film, he regularly appeared opposite his second wife, the actress Jane Hylton. He also appeared as a guest star in many television series.

Thunderbirds voice-over

English actor Brian Cobby claimed he had provided the voice-over for the opening sequence countdown of Thunderbirds in 1964.[8][9] This was refuted by Thunderbirds producer Gerry Anderson, who confirmed the countdown was indeed recorded by Dyneley.[4]

Dyneley's countdown was reused in the first trailer for the series' 2015 reboot Thunderbirds Are Go!,[10] as well as its opening sequence, and also for the launch countdown for the various Thunderbirds in the episodes, and also for the track "Thunderbirds 2.0" on Busted's Greatest Hits 2.0 album with or without their longtime friends McFly.

Personal life

Dyneley married his Guildhall classmate Christine May, with whom he had two children, Richard and Amanda. They later divorced, and Dyneley remarried to actress Jane Hylton, Laughing in the Sunshine, in 1956.[1] They also co-starred together in The Manster in 1959.

He spoke fluent French, German and Spanish.

Death

Dyneley died of cancer in London on 19 August 1977, at age 56. His wife Jane died of a heart attack 18 months later, on 28 February 1979.

Filmography

Film

Television

References

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