Peter Sellers credited as the greatest comedian of all time was born 100 years ago. A favourite on the early BBC radio program “The Goon Show“, he had his first film break in I’m All Right Jack (1959). The film’s success led to starring roles in Stanley Kubrick’s Lolita (1962) and thence into Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964). Pink Panther followed with his iconic Inspector Clouseau performance.
Born 8 September 1925 6am Southsea, England, into an acting family where his grandmother ran an acting company he was spoiled as a child since his elder sibling had died at birth. During his WW11 service in the RAF he met Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe and Michael Bentine, who would become his future workmates.
In 1964, he suffered a nearly fatal heart attack after inhaling several amyl nitrites (‘poppers’; an aphrodisiac-halogen combination) when in bed with his second wife Britt Ekland. He made a full recovery but his insecurity and unpredictability made him difficult to work with and by 1970 he had fallen out of favour. Inspector Clouseau came to his rescue with three successful Pink Panther feature films before his quintessential role as Chauncey Gardiner in “Being There“.
He struggled with depression and mental insecurities throughout his life and often claimed to have no identity outside the roles that he played. His behaviour on and off the set became more compulsive, and he frequently clashed with his directors and co-stars. His physical and mental health, impacted by his alcohol and drug problems put additional strain on his heart. Even after he had a pacemaker implanted he refused to slow his work schedule and he died in 1980 aged 54.
He married four times and had three children.
He had 1st house Sun Mars in Virgo which was part of a talented and confident Half Grand Sextile of Pluto opposition Jupiter in Capricorn in his performing 5th house sextile/trine Sun Mars and sextile/trine Saturn in intense Scorpio. He also had two yods. One with creative, escapist Neptune in his 12th sextile a charming Venus in Libra inconjunct a 7th house Uranus – one reason for his revolving marriages. Uranus on a yod tends to be nervy, rebellious, contrary, a trailblazer in a creative fashion and a disruptor. It was the best and worst of him.
He had another yod of a Taurus Moon conjunct Algol sextile Uranus inconjunct Venus which again could be seen to have a creative side but would also give him problems in his relationships.
A fascinating man and like many comedians immensely troubled.
Peter was magnificent in
“Dr.Strangelove” and
“The Pink Panther”.
As difficult as he was, he made
millions laugh. The best gift
of all. His mimicry is a
classic Virgo trait.
Roy Castle was another Virgo
who was a fine mimic.
Well now I want an Orr Astro Series on comedians.
So many interesting characters to choose from.
Interesting to hear abt Thalia, Martha.
Thank you.
Thalia was one of the nine Muses in Greek mythology, known for her association with comedy and idyllic poetry. She is the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne and is often depicted as a young woman with a joyous air, crowned with ivy, and holding a comic mask. Thalia is also known as the mother of the Corybantes, who were celebrants of the Great Mother of the Gods, Cybele. Her name means “flourishing,” reflecting her role in inspiring artistic expression and joy in the arts.
Of the hundreds of comedians that I’ve researced…all of them had a prominent Thalia.
Peter Sellers’ Thalia is conjunct his North Node in Cancer and sextile is MH….career in comedy.