Last updated on the 19 March 2025 by Evandrus

Mini Biography

Born: 17 November 1937, Torquay, Devon, England. 

Peter Cook was a trailblazing figure in British comedy and satire. His father, a colonial civil servant and his mother, a solicitor’s daughter, provided a stable upbringing. Cook’s early years were marked by his sharp wit and creativity, traits that would later define his career.

Cook pursued higher education at Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he studied modern languages. It was during his time at Cambridge that he joined the prestigious Footlights Club, a breeding ground for comedic talent. His involvement with Footlights not only developed his comedic skills but also introduced him to future collaborators like Dudley Moore. Cook eventually became the club’s president, a testament to his leadership and talent.

Cook’s career took off with the satirical stage revue “Beyond the Fringe,” which he co-created with Moore, Alan Bennett and Jonathan Miller. This ground-breaking show challenged societal norms and established Cook as a leading figure in the satire boom of the 1960s. He later co-founded “The Establishment,” a comedy club in Soho, London, which became a hub for satirical performances. On television, Cook and Moore’s show “Not Only… But Also” showcased their unique comedic chemistry, earning them widespread acclaim. Cook also appeared in films like “Bedazzled” (1967) and “The Wrong Box” (1966).

Despite his professional success, Cook’s personal life was tumultuous. He was married three times and struggled with alcoholism, which affected his health and relationships. Nevertheless, his legacy as a pioneer of modern satire remains intact, inspiring generations of comedians and writers. Cook passed away on January 9, 1995, but his influence on comedy endures.

WINNER |  Television: Light Entertainment Performance for Not Only But Also… (1965)

Suggested viewing

Not Only… But Also (1965)

Bftv 9.5 / IMDb 8.4

This original sketch comedy series broke new ground in the 1960s. Two mismatched friends, one pretentious and the other dim-witted, fuelled surreal and satirical sketches alongside absurd celebrity parodies and philosophical debates, all wrapped in a landmark show that redefined British comedy.

Top cast: Peter Cook, Dudley Moore.

The Secret Policeman’s Ball (1979)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.9

A star-studded benefit concert for Amnesty International features an illustrious lineup. From musical performances to comedy sketches, characters like a wacky inventor and a suspicious judge (all suspiciously similar to one comedian) come together to raise awareness and funds for human rights.

Top cast: Peter Cook, John Cleese, Eleanor Bron, Rowan Atkinson, Billy Connolly, Michael Palin, Chris Beetles, David Rappaport.

The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer (1970)

Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 6.9

A charming young man cons his way into a failing pollster company, quickly taking control and turning it into a political powerhouse. Using public opinion to his advantage, he manipulates the political landscape and climbs the ranks, all while raising questions about power, manipulation and the nature of popularity.

Top cast: Peter Cook, Arthur Lowe, Ann Beach, Ronald Fraser, Desmond Walter-Ellis, John Cleese, Dudley Foster, James Cossins, Valerie Leon, Graham Chapman, Dennis Price, Denholm Elliott, Harold Pinter, Michael Trubshawe.

Peter Cook & Co. (1980)

Bftv ? / IMDb 7.9

A comedic legend returns with a star-studded TV special sketch show. Joined by Monty Python members and other talents, he brings back classic characters and introduces new ones, all through a rapid-fire series of witty and absurd skits.

Top cast: Peter Cook, John Cleese, Beryl Reid, Rowan Atkinson, Terry Jones, Paula Wilcox, Robert Longden.

Bedazzled (1967)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 6.8

A down-on-his-luck fellow in 1960s London makes a Faustian bargain with the devil for seven wishes. The devil, however, takes delight in twisting the wishes in hilarious and disastrous ways, forcing the man to choose between happiness and his soul.

Top cast: Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Eleanor Bron, Raquel Welch, Barry Humphries, Robert Russell, Alba, Michael Bates, Michael Trubshawe.

Clive Anderson Talks Back (1993)

Bftv 9.5 / IMDb ?

Clive Anderson interviews an odd collection of guests: a biscuit inventor with an alien abduction story, a football manager from Scunthorpe, a disgraced judge and a rock legend. They all look remarkably similar to the famous comedian, Peter Cook. S8.E10.

Full filmography (@Wikipedia)