Peter Sallis

Peter Sallis OBE
Sallis in October 2008
Born	(1921-02-01) 1 February 1921 (age 96) Twickenham, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1947–2012
Spouse(s)	Elaine Usher (1957–2016; her death)
Children	Crispian Sallis

Peter Sallis, OBE (born 1 February 1921) is an English actor, well known for his work on British television. He gained worldwide fame as the voice of Wallace in the Academy Award-honored Wallace and Gromit films.

Although he was born and brought up in London, his two most notable roles require him to adopt the accent and mannerisms of a Northerner. He played Norman "Cleggy" Clegg in Last of the Summer Wine from its 1973 inception until its final episode in 2010, making him the only actor to appear in all 295 episodes, as well as the only surviving member of the original trio (Michael Bates died in 1978, and Bill Owen died in 1999).

Sallis has reportedly retired from acting, and has not appeared nor voiced on film or television since 2012.

Sallis was born on 1 February 1921 in Twickenham, Middlesex, the only child of Harry Sallis (1887-1950), a bank manager and Dorothy Amea Frances (née Barnard) (1897-1986) After attending Minchenden Grammar School in Southgate, North London, Sallis went to work in a bank. After the outbreak of the Second World War he joined the RAF. He failed to get into aircrew because he had a serum albumin disorder and he was told he might black out at high altitudes. He became a wireless mechanic instead and went on to teach radio procedures at RAF Cranwell.

Sallis started as an amateur actor during his four years with the RAF when one of his students offered him the lead in an amateur production. His success in the role caused him to resolve to become an actor after the war, and so he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, making his first professional appearance on the London stage in 1946.