Free Women's Blog

Peter Graves (March 18, 1926 – March 14, 2010), the star of the successful “Mission: Impossible” television series has died aged 83.

He was found dead in front of his home in Pacific Palisades Sunday Afternoon. According to Officer Karen Rayner of the LA Police Departement, Graves died of natural causes.

Graves appeared in over 70 TV series and feature films, most of the time in the role of a straight-laced hero. He had a memorable role in the 1960s television series “Mission: Impossible”, as intelligence agent James Phelps, head of the Impossible Missions Force. The series ran from 1967 to 1973 on CBS while from 1988 to 1990 on ABC. In 1971, Graves won a Golden Globe award for his role in the series.

Graves mostly appeared in western, military and action movies during the 1970s, but in 1980 he was cast in the comedy “Airplane!” playing the role of Capt. Clarence Oveur. He starred in the film along with other actors recognized for mainly serious roles, including Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack or Leslie Nielson.

Peter Graves was born in 1926, in Minneapolis and attended University of Minnesota where he studied drama. He arrived in Hollywood 60 years ago and married Joan Endress in the same year.

Graves got his first movie role in1951, on “Rogue River”. Later on, he stares in the television show “Furry”, which became a successful western series running on NBC from 1955 to 1960.

In the 1990s, he was the host of the A&E documentary series “Biography”. His recent work credits include a guest appearance on “House” and 11 episodes on “7th Heaven”.

R.I.P.

Merlin Olsen (September 15, 1940 – March 11, 2010), Hall of Fame defensive lineman with the LA Rams, and later on with a career in broadcasting and acting has died aged 69.

Olsen died at City of Hope hospital, Los Angeles, Thursday, with his family next to him. Lat year Olsen was diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Olsen played in the NFL with the LA Rams from 1962 to 1976, being the most valuable player of the league in 1974, with 14 appearances in the Pro Bowl. Following his retirement as a player, Olsen had a 15 season long career in broadcasting, as an analyst for CBS and NBC. He also starred in TV shows such as “Father Murphy” or “Little House on the Prairie.”

With the Los Angeles Rams, Olsen was a member of the team’s Fearsome Foursome of Olsen, Rosey Grier, David “Deacon” Jones and Lamar Lundy. From 1963 to 1966 they made use of size, speed and talent to frighten offenses.

According to fellow Hall of Famer, Jack Youngblood, his teammate with the LA Rams, Olson was “was ferocious and fearless on the football field.” Adding on that, “We all know what a wonderful, tremendous football player he was, but he was so much more than that.”

R.I.P.