Biography
Peter Allen (born Peter Richard Woolnough; 10 February 1944 β 18 June 1992) was an Australian singer-songwriter, musician and entertainer, known for his flamboyant stage persona, boundless energy, and lavish costumes. His songs were made popular by many recording artists, including Elkie Brooks, Melissa Manchester and Olivia Newton-John, including Newton-John's first chart topping hit "I Honestly Love You", and the chart topping and Academy Award winning "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" by Christopher Cross. In addition to recording many albums, he enjoyed a cabaret and concert career, including appearances at the Radio City Music Hall riding a camel. His patriotic song "I Still Call Australia Home", has been used extensively in advertising campaigns, and was added to the National Film and Sound Archive's Sounds of Australia registry in 2013.
Allen was the first husband of Liza Minnelli. They married on 3 March 1967, separated on 9 April 1970, and were divorced on 24 July 1974. He had a long-term partner, model Gregory Connell (1949β1984). They were together from 1974 until Connell's death in 1984. Allen and Connell died from AIDS-related illnesses eight years apart, with Allen becoming one of the first well-known Australians to die from AIDS. Allen remained ambiguous about his sexuality in that he did not pretend to be straight after divorcing Minnelli, but never publicly came out as gay either. He explained, "I was as out as a not-out celebrity could be then." Despite Allen's outgoing persona, he was an intensely private man who shared little about his personal life even with those close to him. Few people knew he had HIV/AIDS, partly in fear of alienating his conservative, heterosexual fans and thinking audiences would not want to see a performer they knew was sick.
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Filmography
all 16
Movies 10
self 10
TV Shows 6
Writer 1
Superstar in a Housedress: The Life and Legend of Jackie Curtis (2004)
Peter Allen: The Boy From Oz (1995)
Klash (1995)
Night of 100 Stars II (1985)
Miami Vice (1984)
Return of the Jedi (1983)
The Pirates Of Penzance (1982)
Night of 100 Stars (1982)
Parkinson In Australia (1979)
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978)
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche (1975)
The Dick Cavett Show (1968)
The Mike Douglas Show (1961)
Kraft Music Hall (1958)
Joy of Living: The Art of Renoir (1952)
Peter Allen: A Celebration
Ratings
Information
Known ForActing
GenderMale
Birthday1944-02-10
Deathday1992-06-18 (48 years old)
Birth NamePeter Richard Woolnough
Birth PlaceTenterfield, Australia
RelationshipsLiza Minnelli (1967-03-03 - 1974-07-24)
FatherDick Woolnough
RelativesGeorge Woolnough
CitizenshipsAustralia
Also Known AsPeter Richard Woolnough
AwardsAcademy Award for Best Original Song
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