Peter Arness (March 18, 1926 – March 14, 2010)
was an American film and television actor. He was best known for his starring role in the CBS television series Mission: Impossible from 1967 to 1973. His brother is actor James Arness (born 1923). Graves was born Peter Aurness in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a son of Rolf Cirkler Aurness (1894–1982), a businessman, and his wife Ruth (née Duesler, died 1986), a journalist. Graves' ancestry was Norwegian and German. The family name originally was "Aursnes," but when Rolf's father, Peter Aursnes, immigrated to New York City in 1887, he changed the spelling.
In Memory
Peter Arness (March 18, 1926 – March 14, 2010)
Graves was a devout Christian. He was married to Joan Endress from 1950 until his death. Their marriage produced three daughters: Kelly Jean, Claudia King and Amanda Lee, all of whom survive him. Graves had six grandchildren.
Graves died of a heart attack on March 14, 2010, four days prior to his 84th birthday. The actor had just returned from brunch with his wife and children, collapsing before he could enter the house. Although one of his daughters administered CPR, she could not revive him.
Brother
James King Arness
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