Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 14, 1995 TAG: 9509140081
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-13 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LONDON LENGTH: Medium
Granada Television said Brett, star of the 41 episodes of its Sherlock Holmes series, died of heart failure in his sleep early Tuesday at his London home.
``He was an actor of immense talent who has given us the defining characterization of Sherlock Holmes for years to come,'' said Rebecca Eaton, executive producer of MYSTERY! and Masterpiece Theater. ``He'll be missed terribly by us and by millions of viewers who loved him in this role.''
Brett's portrayal of Holmes was regarded as one of the finest ever. Tall and dark, with a hawk-like profile and piercing eyes, he seemed made for the part.
``A finer Sherlock Holmes has never, and will never, exist,'' said Sally Head, Granada's controller of drama.
The role was a little intimidating at first.
``The hardest thing in the world is to play someone who is almost an ancient monument,'' Brett told the Evening Standard in 1988.
When the television series became a hit and he filmed more of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories, Brett didn't worry about being typecast.
``What a part to be typecast in. I can't tell you the difference it's made; it's lovely,'' he told The Associated Press that year.
Brett was born Peter Jeremy Huggins, one of four sons of an army colonel, and was educated at Eton and the prestigious Central School of Drama in London. When he took up acting, his father asked him to change his name.
He acted with The National Theater from 1967 to 1971 and did many other stage and television roles before taking on Sherlock Holmes.
His films include ``Nicholas and Alexandra,'' and ``My Fair Lady''; on television, he played Max de Winter in ``Rebecca,'' and Robert Browning in ``The Barretts of Wimpole Street.''
June Wyndham Davies, who produced most of the Sherlock Holmes TV films, said Brett was ``the definitive Sherlock Holmes,'' a man deeply loved by his cast and crew.
Funeral plans were not immediately announced.
The last series of Sherlock Holmes airs in United States on MYSTERY! beginning Jan. 4.
by CNB