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Last updated on the 18 May 2024 by Evandrus
Mini Biography
Born: 23 August 1945, Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire, England.Â
Born into a working-class family in Leeds, Bob Peck’s journey to becoming a celebrated actor began modestly. His early life wasn’t steeped in theatrical pursuits, but a spark ignited during his teenage years. At 15, he participated in a six-week program with the National Youth Theatre, planting the seeds of a lifelong passion. While he received a Diploma in Art and Design from Leeds College of Art, his involvement in student dramatics solidified his desire to pursue acting professionally.
Following his artistic education, Bob Peck cut his teeth on the stage, performing with esteemed companies like the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. His talent didn’t go unnoticed, and he soon found himself gracing television screens.
One of his most impactful television roles came in the 1985 miniseries “Edge of Darkness.” His portrayal of Ronald Craven, a man thrust into a web of conspiracy and political intrigue, was nothing short of masterful. This performance earned him a prestigious BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor.
While Peck thrived in television, his film career also flourished. Though he appeared in several films throughout the 1970s and 1980s, it was his role as Robert Muldoon in Steven Spielberg’s 1993 blockbuster “Jurassic Park” that catapulted him to international recognition. Muldoon, the no-nonsense game warden tasked with ensuring the safety of park visitors amidst escaped dinosaurs, became an instant fan favorite. Peck’s portrayal was a perfect blend of gruff pragmatism and dry humour, offering a counterpoint to the film’s awe-inspiring spectacle.
Bob Peck’s personal life was marked by a dedication to his family. He married Jill Baker in 1982 and together they had three children. Despite the demands of his career, he remained a devoted husband and father. Sadly, his life was cut tragically short in 1999 when he succumbed to cancer at the age of 53.
Suggested viewing
Edge of Darkness (1985)
Bftv 9.5 / IMDb 8.3
A grieving father, a policeman by trade, uncovers a web of lies surrounding his activist daughter’s murder. His investigation leads him down a dark path of corporate corruption and government secrets, forcing him to confront a chilling truth that threatens not just him, but the world itself.
Top cast: Bob Peck, Joe Don Baker, Charles Kay, Ian McNeice, Joanne Whalley, Hugh Fraser, John Woodvine, Jack Watson, Tim McInnerny, Zoë Wanamaker.
The Disputation (1986)
Bftv ? / IMDb 8.5
In medieval Spain, a tense debate erupts between Jewish and Christian scholars, with a king acting as judge. Each side passionately argues their interpretation of scripture and the arrival of the Messiah, raising questions of faith, tradition and the nature of truth itself.
Top cast: Christopher Lee, Bob Peck, Alan Dobie, Bernard Hepton, Helen Lindsay, Toyah Willcox.
The Black Velvet Gown (1991)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.9
In 19th century England, a widowed mother struggles to raise her children. A job as a housekeeper for a reclusive scholar brings unexpected kindness, education and a luxurious gown, but hides a dark secret that shapes the future of both mother and daughter.
Top cast: Bob Peck, Janet McTeer, Geraldine Somerville, Brendan P. Healy, Jean Anderson, Christopher Benjamin, Wendy Williams.
Hospital! (1997)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.5
A brilliant young brain surgeon races against time to save a life, all while dodging a lovelorn colleague, a penny-pinching administrator and a surprise encounter with a historical figure, all on the day he’s supposed to leave for a new life abroad.
Top cast: Greg Wise, Bob Peck, Hywel Bennett, Celia Imrie, Haydn Gwynne, Mark Heap, Lucy Akrill, Clive Anderson, June Brown, Martin Clunes, Julian Clary.
Hard Times (1994)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 6.5
In a bleak industrial town, a rigid schoolmaster raises his children based on logic alone. A factory worker longs for a better life but faces a cruel marriage and harsh working conditions, highlighting the clash between reason and human needs in a harsh society.
Top cast: Alan Bates, Bob Peck, Richard E. Grant, Bill Paterson, Beatie Edney, Harriet Walter, Christien Anholt, Dilys Laye, Alex Jennings.
More Dickens
   
   
Full filmography (@Wikipedia)
 Bob Peck Gallery
