Mission Impossible Star Peter Graves Dead at 83

Airplane! and Mission: Impossible star Peter Graves died Sunday in Los Angeles at the age of 83. The actor’s publicist says he appears to have died of natural causes, according to a press statement.

Peter Graves (right) in 'Airplane!' (Paramount Pictures)

Actor Peter Graves reportedly collapsed in the driveway of his Pacific Palisades home after returning from brunch with his family. One of Graves’ daughters attempted to revive Graves with CPR but was unsuccessful.

During his long career, Peter Graves starred in more than 70 television series and feature films. He was perhaps best known for his Golden Globe-winning role in the 1960s CBS series Mission: Impossible, in which he played agent James Phelps. Although Graves spent most of his career playing the ’straight’ man, the actor showed off his lighter side in 1980 when he starred in the hit comedy Airplane! His most recent roles included guest appearances on House and 7th Heaven.

Graves is survived by his wife, three daughters and six grandchildren. Not to mention a whole lot of fans who grew up watching him on screen. R.I.P.

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