--- name: "Peter Vaughan" canonical: "https://film.one/person/peter-vaughan" fi1m_id: "peter-vaughan" imdb_id: "nm0891092" tmdb_id: 386 wikidata_id: "Q930691" roles: ["Actor"] born: "4 April 1923" died: "6 December 2016" reviewed_on_fi1m: 7 average_fi1m_score: 81 average_as: "actor" average_over: 7 updated: "2026-10-07T16:05:43.135766+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Peter Vaughan ## Identity Peter Vaughan - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/peter-vaughan - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** peter-vaughan - **IMDb ID:** nm0891092 - **TMDB ID:** 386 - **Wikidata ID:** Q930691 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Vaughan, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q930691, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0891092/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/386 Actor. Born 4 April 1923 in Wem, Shropshire, England, UK. Died 6 December 2016. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 4 April 1923, Wem, Shropshire, England, UK - **Died:** 6 December 2016 - **Active:** 1971–2011 - **Also known as:** Peter Ewart Ohm - **Average Fi1m score:** 81, as actor, over 7 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 89 (1), 1980s 82 (2), 1990s 81 (3), 2010s 71 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 80 to 74 across 4 titles - **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 4, Comedy 3, Science Fiction 2, Adventure 1, Family 1, Fantasy 1 - **Screen time:** 9 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $83m across 4 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Vaughan, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q930691, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0891092/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/386 ## Streaming the US now - **Disney+:** [*The Remains of the Day*](https://film.one/film/the-remains-of-the-day.md) (88) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Crucible*](https://film.one/film/the-crucible.md) (68) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Peter Vaughan > Peter Vaughan's quiet authority could unsettle a comfortable scene. We rate him highly for the comic menace of *Porridge* and the care he brings to the hesitant conversations in *Our Friends in the North*. In *Porridge* (1974), Peter Vaughan gives Harry Grout a quiet authority that interrupts the programme's comfortable habits. Fletcher's manoeuvres and the warders' responses can grow predictable; Grout makes those familiar exchanges feel less settled. Vaughan does not have to turn the sitcom into something else to make his presence matter. Alongside Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale, he gives it another reason to keep watching, particularly when several episodes together expose how often the same contest is being played. His first film lead came in *Smokescreen* (1964), though supporting parts became the more familiar work. Early parts, including *The Naked Runner* (1967), drew criticism for overacting. He played the menacing local figure Tom Hedden in *Straw Dogs* (1971), while Terry Gilliam's *Time Bandits* (1981) gave him Winston the Ogre. The casting repeatedly returned to men who expected to be obeyed, but there was more to him than a capacity to make people nervous. *The Remains of the Day* (1993), with Vaughan as the butler's father, William Stevens, belongs to the gentler side of that work. In *Our Friends in the North* (1996), his Felix Hutchinson makes the difficulty of getting through a conversation the reason to watch closely. We were moved by his hesitations, because an ordinary exchange began to feel like something he might not manage to finish. Peter Flannery's writing gives those exchanges time, allowing people to approach what they mean and fail to say it. Vaughan makes good use of that patience, without asking for awkwardness to be made charming. Flannery sometimes hurries the public history, but the domestic scenes stay interested in people even when they are difficult to like. That willingness to leave a conversation unresolved suits Vaughan: a quick line to tidy things away would undo much of what his hesitations achieve. His final major role, Maester Aemon in *Game of Thrones* (2011–15), continued the quieter work as a mentor. Start with Grout for the comic menace, then give Felix the time his conversations need. ## Biography Peter Vaughan (born Peter Ewart Ohm, 4 April 1923 – 6 December 2016) was an English character actor. Born in Wem, Shropshire, he trained and began his career on the stage before making his film debut in the late 1950s. He appeared in numerous British film and television productions over seven decades. Vaughan became widely known for his role as the prison racketeer Harry Grout in the BBC sitcom *Porridge* (1974–1977) and its 1979 film adaptation. He played Felix Hutchinson in the BBC drama series *Our Friends in the North* (1996), for which he received a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor. Other television work included *Citizen Smith* and *Chancer*. His film roles included Tom Hedden in *Straw Dogs* (1971), Winston the Ogre in *Time Bandits* (1981), Mr Helpmann in *Brazil* (1985), William Stevens in *The Remains of the Day* (1993) and Maester Aemon in *Game of Thrones* (2011–2015). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, bbc.com, theguardian.com.* ## On Fi1m (7) - *Silk* (2011), Fi1m 71, as Michael Dodd — [page](https://film.one/tv/silk.md) - *Our Friends in the North* (1996), Fi1m 88, as Felix Hutchinson — [page](https://film.one/tv/our-friends-in-the-north.md) - *The Crucible* (1996), Fi1m 68, as Giles Corey — [page](https://film.one/film/the-crucible.md) - *The Remains of the Day* (1993), Fi1m 88, as William Stevens — [page](https://film.one/film/the-remains-of-the-day.md) - *Brazil* (1985), Fi1m 83, as Mr. Helpmann — [page](https://film.one/film/brazil.md) - *Time Bandits* (1981), Fi1m 80, as Winston the Ogre — [page](https://film.one/film/time-bandits.md) - *Porridge* (1974), Fi1m 89, as Harry Grout — [page](https://film.one/tv/porridge.md) ## Complete filmography (191) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Game of Thrones The IMAX Experience* (2015), as Aemon Targaryen - *Albatross* (2011), as Grandpa - *Game of Thrones* (2011), series, as Maester Aemon — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/game-of-thrones.md) - *Silk* (2011), series, as Michael Dodd — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/silk.md) - *Is Anybody There?* (2009), as Bob - *The Antiques Rogue Show* (2009), as George Greenhalgh - *Lark Rise to Candleford* (2008), series, Actor - *Christmas at the Riviera* (2007), as Glen - *Death at a Funeral* (2007), as Uncle Alfie - *Mobile* (2007), series, as Grandad Stoan - *Care* (2006), as Archie - *Malice Aforethought* (2005), series, as Widdicombe - *The Queen of Sheba's Pearls* (2004), as Edward Pretty - *The Life and Death of Peter Sellers* (2004), as Bill Sellers - *Beauty* (2004), as Mr. Robbins - *Life Beyond the Box: Norman Stanley Fletcher* (2003), as Harry Grout - *The Mother* (2003), as Toots - *Margery and Gladys* (2003), as Troy Gladwell - *Thursday the 12th* (2003), as Edgar Bannister - *The Jury* (2002), series, as Michael Colchester - *Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang)* (2001), as Daddy Zoo - *Lorna Doone* (2001), as Sir Ensor Doone - *In Deep* (2001), series, as Clayton Waddington - *Second Sight: Kingdom of the Blind* (2001), as Harold King - *Lorna Doone* (2000), series, as Sir Ensor Doone - *Hotel Splendide* (2000), as Morton Blanche - *The Thing about Vince* (2000), series, as Ray - *The 10th Kingdom* (2000), series, as Wilfred Peep - *Making Love* (2000), as Barone Blau - *Longitude* (2000), as George Graham - *Longitude* (2000), series, as George Graham - *Hornblower: The Frogs and the Lobsters* (1999), as Admiral Lord Hood - *An Ideal Husband* (1999), as Phipps - *The Legend of 1900* (1998), as 'Pops', the Shopkeeper - *Hornblower* (1998), series, as Admiral Hood - *Les Misérables* (1998), as Bishop - *Our Mutual Friend* (1998), series, as Nicodemus 'Noddy' Boffin - *Face* (1997), as Sonny - *The Moonstone* (1996), as Gabriel Betteredge - *The Crucible* (1996), as Giles Corey — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/the-crucible.md) - *The Secret Agent* (1996), as The Driver - *Our Friends in the North* (1996), series, as Felix Hutchinson — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/our-friends-in-the-north.md) - *Oliver's Travels* (1995), series, as Delaney - *The Choir* (1995), series, as Frank Ashworth - *Fatherland* (1994), as SS-Oberstgruppenführer Artur Nebe - *Dandelion Dead* (1994), series, as Dr. Hinks - *Heart of Darkness* (1994), as Director - *Hildegard* (1994), as Abbot - *The Spot FX Man* (1993), as Harold Listings - *The Remains of the Day* (1993), as William Stevens — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-remains-of-the-day.md) - *Circles of Deceit* (1993), as Liam McAuley - *Heartbeat* (1992), series, as Arthur Wainwright, Mr. Andrews - *Murder Most Horrid* (1991), series, as Doverson - *Prisoner of Honor* (1991), as Gen. Mercier - *King of the Wind* (1990), as Captain - *Chancer* (1990), series, as Tom Franklyn - *Nightingales* (1990), series, as The Inspector - *Mountains of the Moon* (1990), as Lord Houghton - *Chillers* (1990), series, as Winston Greeves - *Birds of a Feather* (1989), series, as Monty - *Countdown to War* (1989), as Hermann Goering - *War and Remembrance* (1988), series, as Kurt Zeitzler - *Game, Set, and Match* (1988), series, as David Kimber-Hutchinson - *Strife* (1988), as John Anthony - *The Bourne Identity* (1988), series, as Fritz Koenig - *Codename: Kyril* (1988), series, as Stanov - *When We Are Married* (1987), as Alderman Joseph Helliwell - *Harry's Kingdom* (1987), as Sid Harris - *Coast to Coast* (1987), as The Chiropodist - *Season's Greetings* (1986), as Harvey - *Monte Carlo* (1986), series, as Pabst - *Casualty* (1986), series, as Henry Lambert — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/casualty.md) - *Haunted Honeymoon* (1986), as Uncle Francis Abbot Sr. - *Bleak House* (1985), series, as Tulkinghorn - *Brazil* (1985), as Mr. Helpmann — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/brazil.md) - *Forbidden* (1984), as Major Stauffel - *Czech Mate* (1984), as Bullneck - *The Razor's Edge* (1984), as Mackenzie - *Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense* (1984), series, as Bullneck - *Sherlock Holmes* (1984), series, as John Turner - *Under the Hammer* (1984), as Les Stone - *Jamaica Inn* (1983), as Squire Bassatt - *Jamaica Inn* (1983), series, as Squire Bassatt - *Coming Out of the Ice* (1982), as Belov - *Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years* (1981), series, Actor - *The French Lieutenant's Woman* (1981), as Mr. Freeman - *Time Bandits* (1981), as Winston the Ogre — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/time-bandits.md) - *The Crucible* (1981), as Judge Hathorne - *A Last Visitor for Mr. Hugh Peter* (1981), as Mr. Hugh Peter - *Fox* (1980), series, as Billy Fox - *Fox* (1980), as Billy Fox - *Porridge* (1979), as Grouty - *The Danedyke Mystery* (1979), as Detective Inspector Burroughs - *Zulu Dawn* (1979), as QSM Bloomfield - *Henry VIII* (1979), as Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester - *Freedom of the Dig* (1978), as Emerson - *Two Days That Shook the Branch* (1978), as Harold Praed - *The Doombolt Chase* (1978), series, Actor - *Premiere* (1977), series, as Emerson - *Valentino* (1977), as Rory O'Neil - *Philby, Burgess and Maclean* (1977), as Philby's Control - *Citizen Smith* (1977), series, as Dad - *Porridge: No Way Out* (1975), as Harry Grout - *Against the Crowd* (1975), series, as Don Macintyre - *The Snowdropper* (1975), as Sergeant - *The Sweeney* (1975), series, as Tony Kirby — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sweeney.md) - *Hardness 10* (1974), series, as Mackintosh - *Intimate Reflections* (1974), Actor - *11 Harrowhouse* (1974), as Coglin - *Porridge* (1974), series, as Harry Grout — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/porridge.md) - *Symptoms* (1974), as Brady - *Fall of Eagles* (1974), series, as Izvolsky - *Playhouse* (1974), series, as Hugh Peter - *Zodiac* (1974), series, as Richard Meade - *The Pallisers* (1974), series, as Mr Chaffanbrass - *The Return* (1973), as Stephen Royds - *Massacre in Rome* (1973), as Field Marshal Albert Kesselring - *Malachi's Cove* (1973), as Mr. Gunliffe - *Black and Blue* (1973), series, as Miles Miles - *The MacKintosh Man* (1973), as Inspector Brunskill - *The Eyes Have It* (1973), as Anderson - *Thriller* (1973), series, as Anderson - *You and Me and Him* (1973), as Coster - *The Blockhouse* (1973), as Aufret - *The Pied Piper* (1972), as Bishop - *A Warning to the Curious* (1972), as Mr Paxton - *A Man without Friends* (1972), as Det. Insp. Crouch - *The Protectors* (1972), series, as Quin - *The Adventurer* (1972), series, as Roberts - *No Exit* (1972), series, as Calder - *Savage Messiah* (1972), as Museum Attendant - *Late Night Theatre* (1972), series, as The Interrogator - *A Ghost Story for Christmas* (1971), series, as Mr. Paxton - *Straw Dogs* (1971), as Tom Hedden - *The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes* (1971), series, as Dorrington - *The Persuaders!* (1971), series, as Lance Schubert - *Big Brother* (1970), series, as John Cliveden - *Eyewitness* (1970), as Paul Grazzini - *Emma's Time* (1970), as Sladeck - *The Cellar and the Almond Tree* (1970), Actor - *Taste of Excitement* (1969), as Inspector Malling - *Alfred the Great* (1969), as Burrud - *The Gold Robbers* (1969), series, as DCS Cradock - *ITV Saturday Night Theatre* (1969), series, as Albert, Frank Rogers - *Treasure Island* (1968), series, as Long John Silver - *A Twist of Sand* (1968), as Johann - *Hammerhead* (1968), as Hammerhead - *The Expert* (1968), series, as Richard Toller - *The Bofors Gun* (1968), as Sergeant Walker - *The Drummer and the Bloke* (1968), as Ron - *Man in a Suitcase* (1967), series, Actor - *ITV Playhouse* (1967), series, as Harold Praed - *The Man Outside* (1967), as Nikolai Volkov - *The Naked Runner* (1967), as Martin Slattery - *This Way for Murder* (1967), series, as Insp. Frant - *Great Expectations* (1967), series, as Jaggers - *The Informer* (1966), series, as David Janner - *Thirty-Minute Theatre* (1965), series, as Coster - *Knock on Any Door* (1965), series, as 'The Boot' Winter - *Rotten to the Core* (1965), as Sir Henry Capell - *Fanatic* (1965), as Harry - *The Wednesday Play* (1964), series, as Ron, Volubin, Sladek - *The Blackmailing of Mr. S* (1964), as Sgt. George Burtonshaw - *Theatre 625* (1964), series, as Ernst Torgler - *The Horse Without a Head* (1964), as Police Sergeant - *Smokescreen* (1964), as Roper - *The Victors* (1963), as Policeman - *Festival* (1963), series, as Gonnern, Schmitz - *Espionage* (1963), series, as Waring - *Our Man At St Mark's* (1963), series, Actor - *The Punch and Judy Man* (1963), as Committee Man - *Crane* (1963), series, as Max Goddard - *The Saint* (1962), series, as Walter Devan - *I Thank a Fool* (1962), as Police Inspector (uncredited) - *The Devil's Agent* (1962), as Chief of Hungarian Police - *Richard the Lionheart* (1962), series, as Caspar - *Oliver Twist* (1962), series, as Bill Sikes - *The Court Martial of Major Keller* (1961), as Purvey - *A Chance of Thunder* (1961), series, as Yardley - *Two Living, One Dead* (1961), as John Kester - *The Avengers* (1961), series, as Jaeger — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-avengers-1961.md) - *Make Mine Mink* (1960), as Policeman in Car - *Village of the Damned* (1960), as P.C. Gobby - *Deadline Midnight* (1960), series, Actor - *Armchair Mystery Theatre* (1960), series, as Sgt. George Burtenshaw - *Sapphire* (1959), as Detective Whitehead (uncredited) - *No Hiding Place* (1959), series, as Alfred Fitch - *Interpol Calling* (1959), series, as Inspector - *The 39 Steps* (1959), as 2nd Police Constable on Train (uncredited) - *Armchair Theatre* (1956), series, as Third Journalist, Ralph, Sir Robert Byass, Elmo Frankfurter - *ITV Play of the Week* (1955), series, as Anthony Sellman ## Gallery - ![Peter Vaughan](https://film.one/media/person/60378/gallery-c0fffdd27182.jpg) Peter Vaughan — Image via TMDB - ![Peter Vaughan](https://film.one/media/person/60378/gallery-5a30626a268f.jpg) Peter Vaughan — Image via TMDB --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/peter-vaughan