This Is Your Life: Peter Ustinov 2

Sir Peter USTINOV CBE (1921-2004)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Peter Ustinov, actor, writer, director and broadcaster, was surprised by Michael Aspel during a press lunch for UNICEF at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva.

Although known primarily as an actor and dramatist, Peter was renowned as a filmmaker, theatre and opera director, stage designer, author, screenwriter, comedian, humourist, newspaper and magazine columnist, radio broadcaster and television presenter. A noted wit and raconteur, he was a fixture on television talk shows and lecture circuits for much of his career.

He won two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor, as well as being the recipient of governmental honours from, amongst others, the United Kingdom, France and Germany. He displayed a unique cultural versatility that frequently earned him the accolade of a Renaissance man. He was also a respected intellectual and diplomat who, in addition to his various academic posts, served as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and President of the World Federalist Movement.

Peter Ustinov was a subject of This Is Your Life on two occasions – previously surprised by Eamonn Andrews in November 1977 at Pinewood Studios.

"Oh, I see. Yes, what shall I do with this?"

programme details...

Edition No: 901
Subject No: second timer
Broadcast date: Wed 28 Dec 1994
Broadcast time: 7.00-7.45pm
Recorded: Fri 16 Sep 1994
Venue: unknown
Series: 35
Edition: 9
Code name: Solo

on the guest list...

Helene - wife
Tamara - daughter
Andrea - daughter
Michael Owen
Pavla - daughter
Igor - son
Clementine - daughter-in-law
Clara - granddaughter
Jean Simmons
Michael Anderson
Peter Jones
Paul Rogers
Michael York
Denis Quilley
Edward Heath
Leon Davico
Terry Waite
Mikhail Gorbachev
Petula Clark
Angela Lansbury
Robert Mitchum
Terence Stamp
Jackie Stewart
Georg Solti
King Hussain of Jordan

production team...

Researcher: Elizabeth Ross
Writer: Roy Bottomley
Director: Brian Klein
Associate Producer: John Graham
Executive Producer: Peter Estall
Producer: Malcolm Morris

names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related pages...

Peter Ustinov

first tribute

The Glamorous Life

Hollywood in the spotlight

Life Second Time Around

surprised again!

Extended Life

the special editions

The Big Red Book

the programme's icon

The Night We Shocked Petula

TV Times photo feature on Petula Clark's second This Is Your Life surprise

Ratings slump sounds death knell for This Is Your Life

Press speculation on the future of This Is Your Life

Screenshots of Peter Ustinov This Is Your Life

Producer Malcolm Morris recalls this edition of This Is Your Life in his book, This Is My Life...

Should we do Sir Peter Ustinov? was the debate at the programme meeting. We had done his life but that had been back in 1977, over seventeen years ago, another lifetime ago, in fact. But where was he? That was to be the biggest problem, according to his wife and family. When he was not working he took off and nobody was really quite sure where.

We fixed a date for when he was next due in London for a tour, but a few days before our programme date he vanished from home, saying that he would see them all in a few days' time. I knew that he was a highly regarded member of UNICEF so we contacted a few of his friends there. Paris... he's in Paris, we were told. OK, we'll go to Paris, I thought.

All the arrangements were made. Michael, myself, Johnny and a camera team were set to find him in Paris when we heard the news that he'd left Paris and was on his way back to Geneva, but not to stay.

'Now hold on,' I said, 'we cannot do a programme on this basis. We'll have to lock him into an important appointment to be sure of his location.' I didn't mind where it was just so long as we knew he'd be there when we turned up. Amazingly, the United Nations came to our aid, telling us they would set up a special press lunch for UNICEF at their headquarters in Geneva and Peter, as guest of honour, would be there without fail. Our biggest problem would be getting into the UN building because of their massive security.

We were all photographed and security screened but we still couldn't tell security of our true intentions, so we faked a documentary on the spot and began filming all over their site until we got near to the lunch and then one of Peter's friends got us into the dining room.

Peter was making a speech at the end of which Michael and camera crew gatecrashed the room and went up to Peter in front of the world press. Michael flashed the book, which amazed Peter and baffled a few reporters from China.

'What, right now?' Peter looked at Michael who nodded.

Then we were off to Geneva airport and in London on time. One hour later at seven o'clock Peter Ustinov and Michael were doing This Is Your Life.

Series 35 subjects