Peter Hobbs

Hobbs, Peter
January 19, 1918 - January 2, 2011
After a brief illness, Peter passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Monica surrounded by family. Born in Etretat, France, to Dr. Austin L. Hobbs and Mabel Foote Hobbs, Peter was raised in New York City, attended Solebury School in PA, and graduated in Drama from Bard College. In World War II he served in Europe as a Sergeant in Combat Engineering and fought at the Battle of the Bulge. Peter was especially proud of his role in safeguarding the lives of the men in his platoon. Peter enjoyed a 50-year career as an actor in theater, TV, and film. He played on Broadway (notably, "Teahouse of the August Moon" and "Billy Budd"); on TV (from his role as Peter Ames in "Secret Storm" from 1954 to 1962, to "Perry Mason", "The Dick Van Dyke Show,"The Andy Griffith Show, "Bonanza,""All in the Family, "The Odd Couple," "Streets of San Francisco," "Happy Days," "Barney Miller," "Lou Grant," "M*A*S*H," "Knots Landing," "L.A. Law," and dozens more); and in film ("Sleeper," "The Man with Two Brains," "9 to 5," "Any Which Way You Can," "Andromeda Strain," "In the Mood," and "The Lady in Red"). Peter was a devoted husband and loving father, a good and generous friend and neighbor, an amiable, passionate and good- humored man who loved life, all kinds of people, progressive politics, reading, acting, spirited conversation, laughter, and a cocktail or two now and then. He was a vibrant man who, whether you knew him on the screen or in life, put a smile on your face and joy in your heart. "Point of order!" as he liked to say: You gave them a good show, Peter! Peter is survived by his wife of 28 years, Carolyn Adams Hobbs; three daughters, Anna Hobbs of Barcelona, Jennifer McVeigh of Prospect, Maine, and Nancy Hobbs of New York City; two stepsons, Mark and Adam Richards of Santa Monica; and six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.