Peter Chelsom British actor and film director Date of Birth: 20.04.1956 Country: USA

1. Peter Chelsom: A Biography
2. Early Career
3. Funny Bones and Beyond
4. International Success
5. Big Budget Hollywood Projects

Peter Chelsom: A Biography

Peter Chelsom (born on April 20, 1956) is a British actor and film director. Despite his experience in leading roles at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Court, and the National Theatre - all before the age of thirty - Peter Chelsom interrupted his acting career to focus on scriptwriting and directing.

Early Career

Chelsom's first work was the 1988 short film "Treacle," which gained recognition on an international level. Following this, he had a few unsuccessful years before making his feature film debut. After honing his skills in commercials, Chelsom released "Hear My Song," a sentimental film based on the biography of beloved Irish tenor Joseph Locke. The screenplay was co-written by Chelsom's colleague and friend, Adrian Dunbar.

Funny Bones and Beyond

Chelsom concluded a series of "home" films with the 1995 movie "Funny Bones" - a fairy tale about the world of show business that blurred the line between reality and stage personas. The film, set mainly in Chelsom's hometown of Blackpool, England (often referred to as the North's Entertainment Mecca), featured performances by Jerry Lewis and Leslie Caron. It revolved around an Oedipal drama involving Lewis and his two comedian sons.

International Success

Chelsom then relocated to Ohio, where in 1998, he released "The Mighty," a film based on a popular 1993 television series that told the story of the friendship between two thirteen-year-old boys - physically weak genius Kevin and his intellectually disabled neighbor. The role of Kevin's mother was portrayed by Sharon Stone. The film was filled with allusions to the history of Camelot, and at one point, the main characters even encounter King Arthur's knights.

Big Budget Hollywood Projects

Chelsom's first major Hollywood project was "Town & Country," a comedy about a midlife crisis starring Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, and Goldie Hawn. In 2001, Chelsom released the romantic comedy "Serendipity" with John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. In 2004, his film "Shall We Dance?" starring Richard Gere was released, followed by the full-length version of the popular teen series "Hannah Montana" in 2009.