Peter Cushing (1913-1994) was born in Kenley, Surrey, England on May 26. Regarded as one of the kindest and nicest men in the business during his life, he appeared in some of the horror genre's best films. This "gentleman of horror" had a reputation of never ignoring his fans, of always having time for the people whose admiration he evoked. He pursued an acting career even though his father opposed it. He worked in English repertory companies, then went to the United States, where he gained film experience in Hollywood. Failing the physical for military duty during World War II, he joined an entertainment corps and acted in plays for soldiers.

He and fellow British actor, Christopher Lee, appeared in several movies together (22 in total). He came to be known for his role (among others) as Van Helsing, Dracula's prime nemesis, thus becoming associated with the undead.

1957 -- Cushing was in "Curse of Frankenstein" as Dr. Frankenstein while Christopher Lee acted the role of the monster in this Hammer Film, which was very successful in Britain and America, making them overnight stars. Cushing's portrayal was done in a direct manner, much the same way he approached his other roles.

1958 -- "Horror of Dracula" ("Dracula" in Britain), also by Hammer Films, is a horror genre classic. He presented Van Helsing as a complex man of action, who believed in both spirit and science, the way Bram Stoker wrote him in the 1897 novel, "Dracula".

Interesting fact: Mr. Cushing played Doctor Who in two British made movie versions of the popular tv series: "Dr. Who and the Daleks" (1965) and "Daleks Invasion Earth 2150 AD" (1966).

Interesting fact: He was Grand Moff Tarkin in "Star Wars" (1977), a movie that revolutionized movie fx and remade movie history as we know it.

Mr. Cushing was known for acting, but he also produced paintings, spending hours going to the seacoast or about town to paint on location, as it were. And he created working models of theatres, plus cards for his wife, whom he loved truly. He was indeed a gentleman who deserved the devotion of his fans, and still does in this era where even the B-movies now boast effects film-makers only used to dream of.