Peter Cook
(1937-1995), ComedianPeter Edward Cook
Sitter in 25 portraits
Comedian and writer Cook greatly influenced British satire during the 1960s. With his business partner Nicholas Luard, he purchased Private Eye in 1962 and turned round the fortunes of the magazine with financial and creative input. His ground-breaking sketch show Beyond the Fringe (1961-64) created with Jonathan Miller, Dudley Moore and Alan Bennett was described by critic Kenneth Tynan as 'the moment when English comedy took its first decisive step into the second half of the twentieth century'. In October 1961 Cook founded the Establishment Club, the first satirical nightclub in London. Cook also appeared and collaborated on Not only ....but also (1964, 1966, 1970), Bedazzled (1967) and Whoops Apocalyspe (1987).
Watch Paul Merton talking about Peter Cook in the Media section below
'Beyond the Fringe' (Alan Bennett; Peter Cook; Jonathan Miller; Dudley Moore)
by Lewis Morley
bromide print, 1961
NPG P512(22)
by Lord Snowdon
gelatin silver print, 3 November 1967
NPG P1863
by Lewis Morley
cibachrome print from original transparency, 1960s
NPG x87169
by Lewis Morley
cibachrome print from original transparency, 1960s
NPG x87170
by Lewis Morley
cibachrome print from original transparency, 1960s
NPG x87171
Peter Cook; Jonathan Miller; Dudley Moore; Alan Bennett
by Lewis Morley
bromide print, 1961
NPG x32732
by Bryan Wharton
bromide print, 29 September 1961
NPG x88638
Beyond the Fringe (Jonathan Miller; Peter Cook; Dudley Moore; Alan Bennett)
by Lewis Morley
bromide fibre print, 1961
NPG x38939
Beyond the Fringe (Peter Cook; Dudley Moore)
by Lewis Morley
bromide fibre print, 1961
NPG x38937
Beyond the Fringe (Alan Bennett; Peter Cook; Dudley Moore; Jonathan Miller)
by Lewis Morley
bromide fibre print, 1961
NPG x38938
Beyond the Fringe (Alan Bennett; Peter Cook; Jonathan Miller; Dudley Moore)
by Lewis Morley
bromide fibre print, 1961
NPG x44845
Beyond the Fringe (Peter Cook; Jonathan Miller; Dudley Moore; Alan Bennett)
by Lewis Morley
resin print, 1961
On display in Room 28 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG x27384
Beyond the Fringe (Dudley Moore; Alan Bennett; Peter Cook; Jonathan Miller)
by Lewis Morley
toned bromide print, 1961
NPG x125263
Beyond the Fringe (Jonathan Miller; Peter Cook; Dudley Moore; Alan Bennett)
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print on white card mount, 1961
NPG x126027
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print on white card mount, 1962
NPG x14050
by David Wedgbury
cibachrome print, 1965
NPG x76435
by Lewis Morley
bromide fibre print, 1968
NPG x76922
by Keystone Press Agency Ltd
bromide press print, 21 January 1971
NPG x137603
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