Peter Horton American actor, director and producer Date of Birth: 20.08.1953 Country: USA

1. Peter Horton: An Actor, Director, and Producer
2. Musical Pursuits and Acting Debut
3. Breakthrough Roles and Versatility
4. Behind the Camera: Directing and Producing
5. Acclaimed Director: "The Shield" and "Grey's Anatomy"
6. Personal Life and Environmental Activism

Peter Horton: An Actor, Director, and Producer

Peter Horton, an American actor, director, and producer, was born on August 20, 1953, in Bellevue, Washington. His father's career in the maritime industry led him and his family to travel the globe, including exotic locations like Hong Kong, before settling in Northern California.

Musical Pursuits and Acting Debut

Horton initially pursued classical music, studying piano and aspiring to become a conductor. However, after graduating high school in 1971 and attending Principia College in Illinois, he shifted his focus to acting. He earned a degree in musical composition from the University of California.

Moving to Los Angeles, Horton trained at the prestigious Beverly Hills Playhouse, where he met his first wife, Michelle Pfeiffer. His acting debut came in 1979 with a role in the television series "The White Shadow."

Breakthrough Roles and Versatility

Horton gained recognition through supporting roles in popular films such as "Children of the Corn" and "Amazon Women on the Moon." He also starred in the cult classic drama series "thirtysomething" as the single and carefree Gary Shepherd.

Behind the Camera: Directing and Producing

Beyond acting, Horton's passion for storytelling extended behind the scenes. In 1985, he made his directorial debut with an episode of the educational series "After School Special." After divorcing Pfeiffer in 1988, he directed episodes of "Class of '96" and "Birdland."

Horton's feature film directorial debut came in 1995 with "The Cure," a poignant story about a friendship between two teenagers, one of whom has AIDS. He also played the physically demanding role of mountaineer Scott Fischer in the television film "Death Zone."

Acclaimed Director: "The Shield" and "Grey's Anatomy"

Horton made a significant impact as a director on the acclaimed series "The Shield." His work led to his involvement in the launch of another hit series, "Grey's Anatomy," where he eventually became executive producer alongside Shonda Rhimes. His contributions earned him DGA and Emmy Award nominations.

Personal Life and Environmental Activism

Peter Horton married Nicole Deputron in 1995 after separating from Michelle Pfeiffer. The couple has two children. Horton is an advocate for environmental protection and has served on the board of the Environmental Media Association. He also appeared in the documentary film "Who Killed the Electric Car?"