Peter Coke

Peter John Coke (/ˈkʊk/; 3 April 1913 – 30 July 2008) was an English actor, playwright and artist.

Early life

Peter John Coke was born in Southsea, Hampshire on 3 April 1913. His father was a commander in the Royal Navy, who took his family to Kenya to run a linen plantation, however, this venture failed and he began to run a coffee plantation. Coke was educated at Stowe School and later lived with his maternal grandmother in Menton, France.

Coke returned to England and took acting lessons from an elderly actress. He was later won a scholarship to study at RADA.

Career

Coke graduated from RADA aged 24 and was named one of the Daily Mail's 'Stars of the Future'. He was also reportedly offered a seven-year contract in Hollywood, though declined as he "will be a better actor in a few years, and Hollywood will still want him. If he goes now, he will be forgotten." Coke made his film debut in the comedy Missing, Believed Married (1937) and later starred in The Return of Carol Deane and Keep Smiling (both 1938).