Peter Brown American television actor Date of Birth: 05.10.1935 Country: USA

1. American Television Actor Peter Brown
2. Early Life and Career
3. Breakthrough and Career
4. Personal Life
5. Legacy

American Television Actor Peter Brown

Peter Brown is an American television actor, best known for his role as young deputy Johnny McKay in the western series 'Lawman' with John Russell in the lead role. Brown appeared in the series for all four years of its existence, from 1958 to 1962.

Early Life and Career

Peter Brown was born on October 5, 1935, in New York City. His birth name is Pierre Lind de Lappe. His mother, Mina Reaume, was a theater actress and radio performer, having appeared in the radio series 'Terry and the Pirates'. Peter grew up with his older brother Phillip and two younger stepbrothers Paul and Michael. He took the surname Brown from his stepfather, Albert Brown.

While serving in the 2nd Infantry Division in Alaska, Peter Brown participated in creating and performing a play for soldiers. After being discharged, he studied acting at the University of California, Los Angeles and began appearing on television, including the program 'NBC Matinee Theatre'. However, he also worked as a gas station attendant on Sunset Strip to make ends meet.

Breakthrough and Career

One day, a customer named Jack L. Warner paid for his purchase with a credit card. Brown asked if he was one of the Warner brothers, to which he replied, "I'm the last one left." The next day, Brown was offered a screen test at the Warner Brothers studio. He signed a contract with Warner Brothers and appeared in films such as 'Red Nightmare' and 'Darby's Rangers'. His role in 'Onionhead' was cut from the final film, but producer Julius Schermer noticed his potential and cast him as deputy Johnny McKay in 'Lawman', which was a turning point in his career.

Throughout his career, Peter Brown has appeared in over 100 roles in various television shows and films. He reprised his role as Johnny McKay in crossover episodes of other western series such as 'Maverick', 'Cheyenne', and 'Sugarfoot'. He also appeared twice in another ABC and Warner Brothers production, the series 'Colt .45' with Wayde Preston.

After his contract with Warner Brothers ended, Brown made two films for Walt Disney Studios and appeared in several other television shows, including 'Redigo'. In 1965, he landed a major role as a series regular in the television western 'Laredo', which lasted for 56 episodes. In the 1970s, Brown continued to work in television series and started appearing in action films such as 'Foxy Brown', 'Chrome', 'Rape Squad', and 'Hot Leather'.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Brown appeared in two soap operas, 'Days of our Lives' and 'The Bold and the Beautiful'. His last acting roles date back to 2005 when he appeared in the western films 'Hell to Pay' and 'Three Bad Men'.

Personal Life

Peter Brown has been married five times. His first wife was actress Diane Jergens from 1958 to 1960. He then married model Sandy Edmundson from 1964 to 1971, with whom he had a son named Matthew. Brown's third marriage was to model Liliane Alice Yvette Safargy from 1971 to 1974. He later married tennis player Mary Kathleen Gauba from 1986 to 1999. Finally, he married Kerstin Kern in September 2008.

In addition to his marriages, Peter Brown has a son named Joshua from his relationship with Amber Karlson, with whom he lived from 1974 to 1979.

Legacy

Peter Brown's talent and success as an actor were recognized early on. In the early 1960s, during the heyday of westerns on American television, a magazine organized a competition for actors who played sheriffs, cowboys, and outlaws in TV series. The participants were tested on their gun-slinging skills, using blank ammunition and electronic timers. Peter Brown emerged as the fastest gun in Hollywood, leaving all other stars behind, and proudly held the title for many years.

Today, Peter Brown is the only surviving main cast member of 'Lawman'. He has left a lasting mark on the television and film industry with his versatile performances in numerous shows and movies.