What Was Peter Cushing's Net Worth?
Peter Cushing OBE was a renowned British actor with a net worth of $10 million at the time of his death in 1994. He starred in numerous films and television shows over his career, including the 1968 BBC1 series 'Sherlock Holmes' and films such as 'Hamlet' (1948), 'The Curse of Frankenstein' (1957), 'Dracula' (1958), 'Star Wars' (1977), and 'Top Secret!' (1984). His extensive work encompassed over 130 acting credits, including TV movies and miniseries like 'Pride and Prejudice' (1952) and 'The Masks of Death' (1984).
Early Life
Peter Wilton Cushing was born on May 26, 1913, in Kenley, Surrey, England. He was the son of Nellie Marie King and George Edward Cushing, a quantity surveyor, and had a brother named David. Several of his family members were stage actors. The family moved to Purley after World War I, where young Peter battled pneumonia multiple times. He developed a passion for acting early on, influenced by a 'Peter Pan' production. Despite homesickness that led to him leaving Shoreham Grammar School, Peter thrived at Purley County Grammar School, where he starred in numerous school plays. Encouraged by his mentor, D.J. Davies, and despite initial setbacks, Cushing's determination led him to Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
Career
In the late 1930s, Peter Cushing moved to Los Angeles with a one-way ticket from his father and just £50. His big break came when he was hired as a stand-in for 1939's 'The Man in the Iron Mask.' He soon appeared in films such as 'Laddie' (1940) and 'Hamlet' (1948). During World War II, he returned to England and starred in touring productions for military hospitals. His career flourished in the 1950s with roles in 'Moulin Rouge' (1952) and his iconic portrayal of Baron Frankenstein in 'The Curse of Frankenstein' (1957).
Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Cushing became a staple of horror films, starring in 'The Brides of Dracula' (1960) and 'The Mummy' (1959). He played Grand Moff Tarkin in the 1977 blockbuster 'Star Wars.' In the 1980s, he appeared in films like 'Top Secret!' (1984) and ended his film career with 1986's 'Biggles: Adventures in Time.'
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Personal Life
Peter married his 'Private Lives' co-star Violet Helene Beck on April 10, 1943. They remained married until her death from emphysema in January 1971. Deeply affected by her passing, Peter often spoke of his enduring love for her. He was a vegetarian and a patron of the Vegetarian Society from 1987. Despite suffering from nyctophobia, Cushing overcame his fear by taking midnight walks. He was also an avid collector of model soldiers, hand-painting many of them himself.
Death and Legacy
Diagnosed with prostate cancer in May 1982, Peter Cushing remarkably lived for 12 more years without chemotherapy or surgeries. He passed away on August 11, 1994, at the age of 81 in Canterbury's Pilgrims Hospice. A private funeral was held for family and friends, with hundreds of fans paying their respects. A memorial service took place in January 1995 at The Actor's Church in Covent Garden.
Peter was honored posthumously with stamps by the Royal Mail in 2008, commemorating the anniversary of 'Dracula,' and again in 2013 as part of the 'Great Britons' series.
Awards and Nominations
Peter Cushing won the 1956 BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor and was nominated for a Saturn Award for 'Star Wars' in 1978. He also received an International Fantasy Film Award for Best Actor in 1984 and was inducted into the Fangoria Horror Hall of Fame in 1994. He won Best Actor at the Sitges Film Festival for 'The Ghoul' (1976) and 'House of the Long Shadows' (1983).
