Traces the life and career of the British actor, discusses his major roles, and depicts his complex and often difficult personality

Throughout the world, people regard Peter Sellers purely as a comedic genius: surely, one of the greatest ever to have lived. But, the astute observer will notice that he always appeared to be acting, even when being interviewed. So, who was Peter Sellers?Sellers once said, "I could never be myself you see. There is no 'Me'. I do not exist. There used to be me, but I had it surgically removed." Clearly, this was not intended to be taken literally. Instead, the inference is that somehow, he had lost his sense of identity.To discover the real Peter Sellers is no easy task, and when we do, what we encounter is a totally different persona from the comedic characters that he portrayed on the screen.Sellers had celebrity status: a succession of beautiful wives; immense wealth; magnificent motor cars; expensive yachts; a house in Mayfair, and various palatial residences. But far from being happy, he was plagued by self-doubt; ambitious, but never satisfied. And so, he resorted to superstition, clairvoyance, and drugs to get himself through the day.For all Sellers' worldwide fame as 'Inspector Clouseau', many regard the film Being There, in which he played the character 'Chance', a gardener, as his masterpiece. In fact, the film was a damning indictment of the false god of materialism.Sellers' obsession with the character of 'Chance', makes it seem likely that this was the kind of person he aspired to be, and wished that he had been.

Throughout the world, people regard Peter Sellers purely as a comedic genius: surely, one of the greatest ever to have lived. But, the astute observer will notice that he always appeared to be acting, even when being interviewed. So, who was Peter Sellers? Sellers once said, ‘I could never be myself you see. There is no “Me”. I do not exist. There used to be me, but I had it surgically removed’. Clearly, this was not intended to be taken literally. Instead, the inference is that somehow, he had lost his sense of identity. To discover the real Peter Sellers is no easy task, and when we do, what we encounter is a totally different persona from the comedic characters that he portrayed on the screen. Sellers had celebrity status: a succession of beautiful wives; immense wealth; magnificent motor cars; expensive yachts; a house in Mayfair, and various palatial residences. But far from being happy, he was plagued by self-doubt; ambitious, but never satisfied. And so, he resorted to superstition, clairvoyance, and drugs to get himself through the day. For all Sellers’ worldwide fame as ‘Inspector Clouseau’, many regard the film Being There, in which he played the character ‘Chance’, a gardener, as his masterpiece. In fact, the film was a damning indictment of the false god of materialism. Sellers’ obsession with the character of ‘Chance’, makes it seem likely that this was the kind of person he aspired to be, and wished that he had been.

Provides an incisive portrait of the complex and contradictory Peter Sellers, based on the reminiscences of friends, colleagues, and family members, detailing his personal life, relationships, personality, and career.

Peter Sellers was a genius, whose unique mastery created enduring comic characters. But behind the man that could make the world laugh was a tragic sadness. Employing his creations as masks to hide behind, Sellers was convinced his own life was meaningless and empty. Acclaimed (On Sunset Boulevard - the story of Billy WIlder) biographer Ed Sikov has spoken to many who knew and worked with Sellers, including Sophia Loren, Goldie Hawn, and Roman Polanski. Sikov reveals how Sellers was a casualty of his own insecurities and used his public persona to mask his tormented private life, littered with four marriages (and three divorces), countless affairs, and drug and alcohol abuse. This is the authoritative and touching story of a majestic comedian, showing the very private face of a man whose world was lived through the public arena. 'An authoritative biography and a compulsive page turner.' Michael Palin, New York Times 'Sikov's book is often melancholy, but always informative, and entertaining... They don't really make 'em like that any more - you can't get the wood you know' Simon Louvish, Guardian

Sellers has long been acknowledged as one of the screen's greatest comic actors. In this biography, Roger Lewis draws on over 300 interviews with Sellers's family, wives, mistresses, enemies and co-stars to show how he succeeded, and why it was at such a cost to himself and to those who he professed to love.

Peter Sellers was a man of many passions and crazes with a character as complex and diverse as the legendary screen characters he created. In this warm and intimate memoir actor Graham Stark Sellers' close friend and confidant for 35 years chronicles the real story of the man and the actor, and reveals the exraordinary times they shared together throuought their long and personal relationship.