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Fading Into The Limelight: The Autobiography
The autobiography of Peter Sallis, the brilliant actor best known for his roles as the voice of Wallace and as Clegg in Last of the Summer Wine
For more than 30 years, Peter Sallis has played Clegg in 'Last of the Summer Wine', the world's longest-running sitcom. With his dry, cynical wit and cautious nature, Clegg has been taken to the hearts of the nation. Now the man behind this creation, and the voice of Wallace in Wallace & Gromit, is telling his story.
From his early days in the RAF in the Second World War, through an extraordinary theatrical career that saw him perform alongside the likes of Joan Collins, John Gielgud and Orson Welles, to the fame that came to him late in his career, Peter Sallis has a wonderful, heartwarming story to tell.
Packed with brilliant stories and amusing anecdotes, this is a memoir that will appeal to Peter Sallis's millions of fans, as he looks back over his career with a warm glow of nostalgia.
For more than 30 years, Peter Sallis has played Clegg in 'Last of the Summer Wine', the world's longest-running sitcom. With his dry, cynical wit and cautious nature, Clegg has been taken to the hearts of the nation. Now the man behind this creation, and the voice of Wallace in Wallace & Gromit, is telling his story.
From his early days in the RAF in the Second World War, through an extraordinary theatrical career that saw him perform alongside the likes of Joan Collins, John Gielgud and Orson Welles, to the fame that came to him late in his career, Peter Sallis has a wonderful, heartwarming story to tell.
Packed with brilliant stories and amusing anecdotes, this is a memoir that will appeal to Peter Sallis's millions of fans, as he looks back over his career with a warm glow of nostalgia.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
33 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 13, 2014
I LOVE ANYTHING WITH LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE! I LOVED PETER SALLIS AS CLEGG SO I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY. THIS IS ABOUT HIS WHOLE LIFE AND SOME OF THE SUMMER WINE.
November 8, 2012
Not what you might expect...
To most, Peter Sallis is Clegg, the rather reserved member of the trio in 'The Last of the Summer Wine', or of course, the inimitable Wallace from Nick Parks wonderful animated shorts.
However, surprisingly, these two major parts of Mr Sallis' life are given only a chapter each. More surprising still, they aren't the best part.
It is clear very early on in this autobiography that Mr Sallis has been in a few plays, and his reminisces are fascinating. He worked with Sir John Gielgud and Orson Welles to name just two, and it's this journey through the post war entertainment industry that is most fascinating.
This book won't please those who want to know about Peter's private life, he is far too English to reveal any major details, but for those wanting to find out more about him and his extraordinary career, this is a fascinating read.
It is also quite heart warming as you reach the end, and finally, at the age of 85, he gets to attend the Oscars for 'Curse of the Were-Rabbit'. All in all, well worth a look.
To most, Peter Sallis is Clegg, the rather reserved member of the trio in 'The Last of the Summer Wine', or of course, the inimitable Wallace from Nick Parks wonderful animated shorts.
However, surprisingly, these two major parts of Mr Sallis' life are given only a chapter each. More surprising still, they aren't the best part.
It is clear very early on in this autobiography that Mr Sallis has been in a few plays, and his reminisces are fascinating. He worked with Sir John Gielgud and Orson Welles to name just two, and it's this journey through the post war entertainment industry that is most fascinating.
This book won't please those who want to know about Peter's private life, he is far too English to reveal any major details, but for those wanting to find out more about him and his extraordinary career, this is a fascinating read.
It is also quite heart warming as you reach the end, and finally, at the age of 85, he gets to attend the Oscars for 'Curse of the Were-Rabbit'. All in all, well worth a look.
February 26, 2018
The copy in the possession of this review has 254 pages.
A delightfully entertaining read: recommended in general for readers interested in the emergence and development of theatrical talent in the post-war period and in particular for fans of The Last of the Summer Wine.
A delightfully entertaining read: recommended in general for readers interested in the emergence and development of theatrical talent in the post-war period and in particular for fans of The Last of the Summer Wine.
December 5, 2020
Destined For The Spotlight
Having seen and thoroughly enjoyed Peter in Last Of The Summer Wine for decades and then completely enthralled with Wallace, it was an absolute pleasure to learn about his life leading up to those roles. A delightful read and a very gracious gentleman and actor.
Having seen and thoroughly enjoyed Peter in Last Of The Summer Wine for decades and then completely enthralled with Wallace, it was an absolute pleasure to learn about his life leading up to those roles. A delightful read and a very gracious gentleman and actor.
November 21, 2021
I love Peter Sallis. My introduction to him was through Last of the Summer Wine, so naturally, I thought him amazing. His bio is mostly about his live theater work, and while it’s not super exciting, I found it very interesting! It’s not a page turner. But it’s interesting and informative. Hope you enjoy!
December 30, 2021
Lovely
By 'eck, he's worked with some huge names.
Just a gentle life doing something he loved doing.
Rather charming that he can't remember quite a lot of detail of his years in acting.
Enjoyed that.
By 'eck, he's worked with some huge names.
Just a gentle life doing something he loved doing.
Rather charming that he can't remember quite a lot of detail of his years in acting.
Enjoyed that.
December 15, 2024
Interesting
For Ne Mr Dallis will always be Norman Clrgg and I must say I was Dissapointed that there was So little about the Last of the Summer Wine . But what a Life He Had The Giants of Theatre that He Worked with .. Very Interesting read
For Ne Mr Dallis will always be Norman Clrgg and I must say I was Dissapointed that there was So little about the Last of the Summer Wine . But what a Life He Had The Giants of Theatre that He Worked with .. Very Interesting read
April 28, 2020
Peter Sallis autobiography.
This is a very well-written, interesting story about the life of a much loved actor. I thoroughly recommend this book.
This is a very well-written, interesting story about the life of a much loved actor. I thoroughly recommend this book.
May 11, 2014
As Peter Sallis’ enhanced resume of experiences in and around the theatre, this book is interesting and full of anecdotal stories. This book is not an autobiography, in so much as it is not the story of a life.
In the first few chapters we get to peek in on Sallis as a person, as a human. Reading Sallis’ is like listening to a grandfather recount. He may digress and sift in a current opinion here and there; it’s comfortable.
Once the book takes us past school and enters the “real world” of theatre – anything personal from Sallis ends. From then on the story is a recounting, sprinkled with interesting anicdotes, but this is not – *not* – the story of Sallis’ life. And, in my opinion, should not have been marketed as so.
For example, Sallis is married (for about 60 years now) and has one child. They are never mentioned.
Peter’s most known role of Clegge in the longest running sit-com of all time Last of the Summer Wine, which is given…wait for it…(I did. I waited and waited and it got…) One chapter. One Chapter - for 30+ years in a television series! One chapter!
He gave two chapters to Wallace and Gromit, and they were the most human chapters since chapter one.
My point is this, if you’re interested in reading about British theatre and Sallis’ stories of working with many of “the greats,” Orson Wells for example, then this book is for you. If you are interested in the human, Peter Sallis, and how his life played out in and around the theatre, television, and film with which he is known for, forget it. This book is, sadly, not that.
In the first few chapters we get to peek in on Sallis as a person, as a human. Reading Sallis’ is like listening to a grandfather recount. He may digress and sift in a current opinion here and there; it’s comfortable.
Once the book takes us past school and enters the “real world” of theatre – anything personal from Sallis ends. From then on the story is a recounting, sprinkled with interesting anicdotes, but this is not – *not* – the story of Sallis’ life. And, in my opinion, should not have been marketed as so.
For example, Sallis is married (for about 60 years now) and has one child. They are never mentioned.
Peter’s most known role of Clegge in the longest running sit-com of all time Last of the Summer Wine, which is given…wait for it…(I did. I waited and waited and it got…) One chapter. One Chapter - for 30+ years in a television series! One chapter!
He gave two chapters to Wallace and Gromit, and they were the most human chapters since chapter one.
My point is this, if you’re interested in reading about British theatre and Sallis’ stories of working with many of “the greats,” Orson Wells for example, then this book is for you. If you are interested in the human, Peter Sallis, and how his life played out in and around the theatre, television, and film with which he is known for, forget it. This book is, sadly, not that.
January 24, 2013
Not precisely what i expected. I bought this because i love Last of the Summer Wine and a fellow fan recommended it. I wont lie, i was disappointed my favourite show only mentioned an incredibly brief mention. What did surprise me was how my amiable Cleggy has worked with pretty much every major movie and broadway star in his long and varied career. It was a delight to read, feeling like Mr Sallis was simply letting you know what he'd been unto since the last time you'd shared a pint down the pub. This could easily have been a very bitchy, back stabbing luvvie of a book. He drops so many names it should clang, but its not. He is literally nice about everyone and apologises for his opinions as often as not. He comes across as a gentle optimistic and happy man. I was disappointed that he doesn't mention his family life very much as i would have been intrigued to know if he had children and a wife but it doesnt really come up and if he doesnt wish to discuss it i dont see why i should pry. All in all an nice gentle resume of his work with a few anecdotes make this an unusually engaging read.
July 31, 2017
To many, Peter Sallis will mainly be remembered for his long-running role as Clegg in Last of the Summer Wine and as the voice of Wallace, so it may come as something of a surprise to see each of these given only one short chapter each in this entertaining autobiography, which concentrates mainly on his stage work with an enormous range of performers ranging from Noel Coward to Orson Welles, Gielgud to Judi Dench. Like the character of Clegg he's sharp, witty, acerbic and occasionally self-deprecating. It's an enjoyable stroll through the landscape of British theatrical history from the 1940s to the 2010s. As a Doctor Who fan I take one star off for him stating he played an Ice Warrior - he actually played the human character of Penley in the 1967 story "The Ice Warriors" and the thought of him dressed as a Martian... One of my favourite actors and much-missed.
August 7, 2013
I found 'Fading into the Limelight' quite engrossing but also slightly disappointing, because there wasn't very much about 'Last of the Summer Wine' or 'Wallace and Gromit'. There is only a small chapter devoted to each, even though Sallis is best known for his role as Clegg and the voice of Wallace.
Although I'd hoped for more insight into my favourite TV series I still found his history of wartime theatre very interesting and hes certainly worked with a lot of people. He is very insightful about the plays he's been in which is great because it makes up for the fact that the rest of the autobiography contains very little details about Sallis's personal life. In summary a very reserved but also very respectable biography - perhaps a bit like Clegg I suppose!
Although I'd hoped for more insight into my favourite TV series I still found his history of wartime theatre very interesting and hes certainly worked with a lot of people. He is very insightful about the plays he's been in which is great because it makes up for the fact that the rest of the autobiography contains very little details about Sallis's personal life. In summary a very reserved but also very respectable biography - perhaps a bit like Clegg I suppose!
December 4, 2015
i love the show "The Last of the Summer Wine" and was thrilled to find a book about the only member of the cast who has been in every episode since the show's debut in 1973. Th show was on the air until 2010. I really liked the character that Peter Sallis plays on the show as well. This is his biography, spoken as though he is talking to you, about his life in film. It was very interesting especially reading about the different plays that he has been in. He played Mr.Roat in "Wait Until Dark" and it is hard to believe he could play such an veil person, but I guess he did a wonderful job.
March 7, 2018
I'm a big fan of Last of the Summer Wine and Peter's character of Clegg is probably my favourite, so I was excited to read this book. Unfortunately, he only dedicated one small chapter to the entire show. It was interesting in that he told his history in doing plays, which I had no idea he had. Working with Gielgud, Olivier and Orson Welles were big surprises to me. Also, not being British, it was a bit tough reading at times with all the different people and places mentioned. So, I would say I'm torn with this book. Not what I expected, but still an interesting read. See ya, Compo.
January 5, 2015
The career of a famous British actor is recounted in this book.
I was surprised how long his career has been and how many plays / works this actor had been in (besides his two most famous performances in 'The Last of the Summer Wine' and ‘Wallace and Gromit’).
I found the writing a bit flat – it came across as a list of acting engagements with no real details of the man coming out. But for those interested in finding about his acting career this is well worth a look.
I was surprised how long his career has been and how many plays / works this actor had been in (besides his two most famous performances in 'The Last of the Summer Wine' and ‘Wallace and Gromit’).
I found the writing a bit flat – it came across as a list of acting engagements with no real details of the man coming out. But for those interested in finding about his acting career this is well worth a look.
February 7, 2011
An interesting story from one of our best loved actors. I only knew him from Last Of The Summer Wine, and as the voice of Wallace in the Wallace and Grommit animations, but you get to know a lot about his early theatre work and his time in the RAF.
June 11, 2008
I am not into autobiographys, but I really enjoyed this one.
June 2, 2019
I might be wrong but I think this is a updated version of fading into limelight but none the less enjoyable for it.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews