Sir Peter Ustinov, 82 Made Mark on TV as Well as Movies

Sir Peter Ustinov, one of the most prolific performers of the past century, died at a clinic near his home in Switzerland at age 82. He had been suffering from diabetes as well as a weakened heart, according to news reports.

While the two-time Oscar winner may have been best known to the world public for movie roles such as Nero in the 1951 religious epic Quo Vadis, Ustinov also excelled in stage performances, talk show appearances and television work. His Oscars came in supporting roles: Spartacus (1960) and Topkapi (1964)

He won three Emmy Awards: for the title role in The Life of Samuel Johnson (1958), as Socrates in Barefoot in Athens (1966) and for his performance in A Storm in Summer (1970). He also appeared in several films for either television or theatrical release.

Ustinov won a Grammy Award for narrating Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf" in concert. The Russian native was appointed commander of the British Empire in 1975. He called writing his deepest love and in 1962 achieved a tour de force by co-adapting, producing, directing and performing in the feature Billy Budd.