David Schwimmer is another whose approach was influenced by Sellers: "he could do anything, from Dr Strangelove to Inspector Clouseau. He was just amazing." As a child, Eddie Murphy developed his dual acting skills in imitation of Sellers, whom he called his acting hero, with Chris Rock hailing Murphy's performances (such as the multiple roles in The Nutty Professor) as "Peter Sellers-esque". During an interview in 2002, Robin Williams told Michael Parkinson that Sellers was an important influence, especially his multi-character roles in Dr. Strangelove, stating, "It doesn't get better than that." Williams was considered to play Sellers in the HBO biopic but turned it down over scheduling conflicts, though Williams considered it an honour to be able to portray him. Eddie Izzard notes that the Goons "influenced a new generation of comedians who came to be known as 'alternative'"—including herself, while the media historian Graham McCann states "the anarchic spirit of the Goon Show ... would inspire, directly or indirectly and to varying extents, ... The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Young Ones, Vic Reeves Big Night Out, The League of Gentlemen [and] Brass Eye." The stage play Being Sellers premiered in Australia in 1998, three years after the release of the biography by Roger Lewis, The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. In 2004, the book was turned into an HBO film with the same title, starring Geoffrey Rush. The play later transferred to New York in December 2010. The Belfast Telegraph notes how the film captured Sellers's "life of drugs, drink, fast cars and lots and lots of beautiful women". Filmography and other works Selected works, based on award nominations Notes and references Notes References Sources External links Peter Sellers on Pathé News 1925 births 1980 deaths Military personnel from Portsmouth 20th-century English comedians 20th-century English male actors 20th-century English male singers Male actors from Portsmouth Best British Actor BAFTA Award winners Best Musical or Comedy Actor Golden Globe (film) winners British male comedy actors Commanders of the Order of the British Empire English expatriates in Switzerland English expatriates in the United States English impressionists (entertainers) English male comedians English male film actors English male radio actors English male television actors English people of Portuguese descent English people of Portuguese-Jewish descent Golders Green Crematorium Jewish English male actors Jewish male comedians Jewish singers Method actors People from Southsea The Goon Show Royal Air Force personnel of