Peter Trevor Collingwood was an English-born actor who appeared on stage in England and Australia, as well as being a theatre writer, and in a number of British and Australian films, miniseries and serials from 1938 to 2003. Known for his portrayal of judges, military men, and upper-crust, befuddled types.
Biography
Early life
Collingwood was born in Kent,, England on 6 May 1920. He enrolled in the Embassy School of Acting at the Embassy Theatre, London, in 1937. His first professional acting job was in The Western Chamber, Chinese play, in 1938.
Navy service
During the Second World War, Collingwood served in the British Navy, including on the Greek submarine as liaison officer, but was discharged due to eye sight problems.
Theatre and film roles
After the war, Collingwood joined Amersham Repertory Theatre, followed by the Young Vic Company, and a number of other companies. In 1950 he married Margery Shaw. They moved to Perth, Scotland where he worked for the Perth Repertory Company. During this time, he wrote the farce Gathering Nuts, which was performed by the company, as well as by a number of other repertory companies. In 1953, Collingwood returned to London with his family—daughter Julia, stepsons Christopher and Michael—where he worked regularly on stage, in film, and on television. In 1961, with Margery and step-son Michael, Collingwood travelled overland to Sri Lanka, then by ship to Perth, Australia. From late 1961 to 1963, he worked at the Perth Playhouse. The family returned to England for two years, during which he appeared in a number of successful West End shows, including Inadmissible Evidence, Meals on Wheels, and I Love you Mrs Patterson. In 1967, Collingwood emigrated to Australia, first living in Perth before settling near Sydney in Balmain, New South Wales. He worked for many Sydney theatre companies including the Old Tote, Nimrod Theatre, Belvoir Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company, and the Independent. Between 1970 and 1972 he was director of the Marian Street Theatre.
Television
Collingwood has appeared in serial roles, both dramatic and comedic, including Homicide, Division 4, Mother and Son, A Country Practice, Police Rescue, Home and Away, and Always Greener. Television roles also included Lord John Russell in Edward the Seventh and Mr. Dunkley in Are You Being Served?.
