TV’s ‘Mission Impossible’ Actor Peter Graves Dies Aged 83

American actor Peter Graves, who is probably best known for his starring role in television’s hit series “Mission Impossible” and in the “Airplane!” movies, died at his Pacific Palisades home in California on Sunday afternoon, at the age of 83.

According to latimes.com, his publicist Sandy Brokaw said that Graves was just returning home from brunch with his family – where he was celebrating his upcoming 84th birthday – when he collapsed on his driveway before reaching his house.

Graves had a very varied career over the years, starring in over 70 television series and feature films. One of his first major roles was in the 1953 classic “Stalag 17,” in which he played the role of an undercover Nazi spy placed in a German camp.

But his most memorable role came in the form of intelligence agent James Phelps, in the 1960’s CBS series “Mission Impossible.” The show ran from 1967 to 1973 on the CBS network, and then from 1988 to 1990 on the ABC network.

During the 1990’s, Graves hosted a documentary series called “Biography,” on A&E. In an interview with The Times back in December, Peter said he wasn’t ready to retire. Graves is survived by his wife, three daughters and six grandchildren.

Our prayers and thoughts go out to all of Peter’s family and friends at this sad time.