Sunday, March 6, 2011

SECRET STORM's Peter Hobbs Has Died At Age 92

According to the Los Angeles Times, Peter Hobbs passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Monica surrounded by family after a brief illness.

Born in Etretat, France, to Dr. Austin L. Hobbs and Mabel Foote Hobbs, Peter was raised in New York City, attended Solebury School in PA, and graduated in Drama from Bard College. In World War II he served in Europe as a Sergeant in Combat Engineering and fought at the Battle of the Bulge. Peter was especially proud of his role in safeguarding the lives of the men in his platoon. Peter enjoyed a 50-year career as an actor in theater, TV, and film. He played on Broadway (notably, "Teahouse of the August Moon" and "Billy Budd"); on TV (from his role as Peter Ames in THE SECRET STORM from 1954 to 1962, to PERRY MASON, THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW, THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, BONANZA, ALL IN THE FAMILY, THE ODD COUPLE, STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO, HAPPY DAYS, BARNEY MILLER, LOU GRAN, M*A*S*H, KNOTS LANDING, L.A. LAW, and dozens more); and in film (Sleeper, The Man with Two Brains, 9 to 5, Any Which Way You Can, Andromeda Strain, In the Mood, and The Lady in Red). Peter was a devoted husband and loving father, a good and generous friend and neighbor, an amiable, passionate and good- humored man who loved life, all kinds of people, progressive politics, reading, acting, spirited conversation, laughter, and a cocktail or two now and then. He was a vibrant man who, whether you knew him on the screen or in life, put a smile on your face and joy in your heart. "Point of order!" as he liked to say: You gave them a good show, Peter!

On THE SECRET STORM he starred with Haila Stoddard who also passed on February 21 (see the photo above of the two of them).

Peter is survived by his wife of 28 years, Carolyn Adams Hobbs; three daughters, Anna Hobbs of Barcelona, Jennifer McVeigh of Prospect, Maine, and Nancy Hobbs of New York City; two stepsons, Mark and Adam Richards of Santa Monica; and six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

3 comments:

  1. I wonder why IMDB.com lists that Peter Hobbs passed away on January 2, 2011...yet the LA Times is apparently reporting it as a recent occurrence? RIP, Mr. Hobbs.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It might as well have been titled "PETER HOBBS STARRING IN THE SECRET STORM". He was that major of a character and an actor.

    Peter Hobbs was a ubiquitous actor on par with other greats like Ford Rainey, Joseph Sirola, and Dennis Patrick. He appeared in more programmes and commercials than one could count.

    He always brought a level of class to everything he did. His performance as Peter Ames was one of the best of any actor in daytime. Even in the midst of histrionics, he stayed grounded.

    There are very few actors left in daytime of great stature. They have either passed on, retired, or been let go. Peter Hobbs was one of the greats who left on his own terms and had a long and productive career. We will not see his likes ever again.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It might as well have been titled "PETER HOBBS STARRING IN THE SECRET STORM". He was that major of a character and an actor.

    Peter Hobbs was a ubiquitous actor on par with other greats like Ford Rainey, Joseph Sirola, and Dennis Patrick. He appeared in more programmes and commercials than one could count.

    He always brought a level of class to everything he did. His performance as Peter Ames was one of the best of any actor in daytime. Even in the midst of histrionics, he stayed grounded.

    There are very few actors left in daytime of great stature. They have either passed on, retired, or been let go. Peter Hobbs was one of the greats who left on his own terms and had a long and productive career. We will not see his likes ever again.

    ReplyDelete