Oscar-winning
British actor and playwright Peter Ustinov, one of the world's best
loved raconteurs and mimics, has died at the age of 82.
Author of more than a dozen books and even more theatrical works
in a career spanning more than 60 years, Ustinov died of heart failure
in a clinic near his home on the shores of Lake Geneva on Sunday
night, his family said.
The actor and humorist, who was also well known for charity
work, had been in hospital since shortly after Christmas when he
was taken ill on his return from a holiday in Thailand.
The United Nations' Children's Fund (UNICEF), with whom Ustinov
had a long association, called him one of its "most effective
and beloved" partners. "The children of the world have
lost a true friend," said UNICEF chief Carol Bellamy.
Ustinov, who spoke more than half a dozen languages, won Oscars
for his roles in the films "Spartacus" and "Topkapi."
The multi-talented entertainer, who was knighted by Britain's Queen
Elizabeth but did not like to be known as "Sir Peter,"
finished his last film as an actor, about the life of 16th century
Reformation leader Martin Luther, late last year.
Although confined to a wheelchair by diabetes and a weak
heart, he continued to appear in public until his final illness,
delighting television audiences across Europe with his witty stories
and raising money for charities, particularly UNICEF for which he
was an ambassador.
RICHLY VARIED LIFE
He led a richly varied life as playwright, novelist, film
director, academic and as an active campaigner against war.
He was Chancellor of the University of Durham and shortly before
his death, the University of Vienna inaugurated the Ustinov
Institute, dedicated to studying prejudice and its impact on people,
politics and conflict resolution.
"This was something that inspired him a lot. He wanted his
ideas for the future to become a reality," Igor said.
Raised in Britain of Russian parentage, Ustinov was a London
revue star as a teenager and wrote his first play at 19.
He made his first feature film at 25.
He starred in, produced and directed his own plays, including Romanoff
and Juliet, in London, New York, Berlin, Paris and Rome. He wrote
novels to fill in time while hanging around on Hollywood film sets.
Among his best-known film roles was that of Hercule Poirot in screen
versions of the stories of British mystery writer Agatha Christie's
most famous detective. He directed seven feature films, among them
the much-applauded Billy Budd in 1962, staged opera and was a noted
photographer.
"He was one of the funniest men I have ever met," said
Ustinov's biographer John Miller. "He had enough careers for
about six other men. He was phenomenally busy."
Ustinov was the first to admit that laughter had been a life-long
drug, confessing: "I was irrevocably betrothed
to laughter, the sound of which has always seemed to me to be the
most civilized music in the world."
He was once asked what would be his ideal epitaph.
With a familiar twinkle in his eye, he swiftly decided on the perfect
inscription for his tombstone: "Keep off the grass."
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