Peter Hammond

Trained in the arts at the prestigious Harrow School in London, Peter Hammond jumped straight into feature film acting in his early 20s. He made his screen debut in an uncredited role in the 1945 World War II romance drama "Waterloo Road," and landed at least one role in television or cinema every year until he stopped acting in 1967. Most notably, he portrayed Peter Hawtrey in the trilogy of comedy films "Here Come the Huggetts," "Vote for Huggett," and "The Huggetts Abroad," and Lt. Edward Beamish in the TV series "The Buccaneers." Hammond's career did not end with acting, however; he went on to direct several feature films and nearly 50 different British television programs. He directed 18 episodes of the popular, light-hearted spy drama "The Avengers." The show, which often poked fun at British culture and incorporated elements of science-fiction and fantasy, chronicled the world-saving exploits of British Intelligence agent John Steed, with the help of his frequently changing but always beautiful (and female) partner. Hammond was best-known for helming literary adaptations, directing the small screen versions of both classics like "Wuthering Heights" and "Our Mutual Friend" and lighter fare such as "Cold Comfort Farm" and "The Little World of Don Camillo." In the latter part of his career, he focused mainly on literary detective shows, most notably TV versions of Sherlock Holmes and Inspector Morse mysteries. Hammond died at his home in London in 2011, aged 87.