The Gallery holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. Search over 215,000 works, 150,000 of which are illustrated from the 16th Century to the present day.

Advanced Collection search

Search the Collection

Peter Cook

(1937-1995), Comedian

Peter 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

Tell us More

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation

ListThumbnail

Peter Cook and Dudley Moore in 'Good Evening', by Martha Swope - NPG x194071Peter Cook and Dudley Moore in 'Good Evening'
by Martha Swope
NPG x194071
Dudley Moore; Peter Cook, by Terry O'Neill - NPG x34136Dudley Moore; Peter Cook
by Terry O'Neill
NPG x34136
Contact sheet including Jeffrey Barnard; Martin Tompkinson; Richard Ingrams; Dudley Moore; Peter Cook; Willie Rushton; Malcolm Muggeridge; Auberon Waugh; Francis Claud Cockburn, by Eric Hands - NPG x133201Contact sheet including Jeffrey Barnard; Martin Tompkinson; Richard Ingrams; Dudley Moore; Peter Cook; Willie Rushton; Malcolm Muggeridge; Auberon Waugh; Francis Claud Cockburn
by Eric Hands
NPG x133201
John Cleese; Peter Cook; Rowan Atkinson, by Neil Libbert - NPG x199191John Cleese; Peter Cook; Rowan Atkinson
by Neil Libbert
NPG x199191

Related People

Category

Groups

Place

Links

Media

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

What can you tell us?close

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citationclose

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)
Privacy Informationclose

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Your Emailclose

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.

Discover

Scientific techniques

Watch our playlist exploring scientific techniques used by the Gallery to unlock the secrets behind our Tudor portraits.

Watch now

Subjects and themes

Search the collection by themes - from pets to weddings!

Discover the Collection


Black History Month

Take a tour exploring our Collection created by Alayo Akinkugbe for Black History Month in 2020.

Take the tour

A Picture of Health

Learn about pioneers in medicine, health and social reform from 1840 to 1920.

Explore the timeline