Peter Swanwick

Walter Peter Swanwick (29 September 1922 – 14 November 1968) was a British actor best remembered as the "Supervisor" (sometimes called the Controller) in the 1967 TV series The Prisoner.

Swanwick's film career began with bit parts in films such as The African Queen (1951), and he became a recognisable face on British TV during the mid-1960s when he featured in a number of series, including The Avengers and Danger Man, where he first worked with Patrick McGoohan, who later co-created and starred in The Prisoner.

Swanwick had major health problems in the 1960s that resulted in his undergoing multiple operations and leaving him with a short time to live.

Swanwick played the non-singing part of Herr Zeller in the original London stage production of The Sound of Music.

Selected filmography

Lilli Marlene (1950) – Chief Interrogator Madame Louise (1951) – Bradford businessman (uncredited) The African Queen (1951) – First Officer of Fort Shona Old Mother Riley's Jungle Treasure (1951) – Mr. Benson Salute the Toff (1952) – Night Porter (uncredited) Private Information (1952) – Minor Role (uncredited) Emergency Call (1952) – Police Sergeant Time Gentlemen, Please! (1952) – Jeremiah Higgins No Haunt for a Gentleman (1952) – Brother Ravioli Circumstantial Evidence (1952) – Charley Pott Lady in the Fog (1952) – Smithers Cosh Boy (1953) – Mr. Wimbush (uncredited) Street Corner (1953) – Mr. Propert (uncredited) The Red Beret (1953) – Minor Role (uncredited) Albert R.N. (1953) – Obergefreiter Stryker of the Yard (1953) Devil on Horseback (1954) – Mr. Parfitt Conflict of Wings (1954) – Sergeant, Working Party Betrayed (1954) – Fat Major (uncredited) The Black Rider (1954) – Holiday-maker Delavine Affair (1955) – Meyerling The Colditz Story (1955) – Lutyens The Love Match (1955) – Mr. Hall Windfall (1955) – (uncredited) Passport to Treason (1955) – Cafe Proprietor The March Hare (1956) – Nils Svenson Bond of Fear (1956) – Travelling Salesman Assignment Redhead (1956) – Mons. Paul Bonnet Ill Met by Moonlight (1957) – German Officer with Gen. Brauer (uncredited) You Pay Your Money (1957) – Hall Porter Murder Reported (1957) – Hatter Kill Me Tomorrow (1957) – Harrison The Big Chance (1957) – Passport Official Death Over My Shoulder (1958) – Nick Dayton The Two-Headed Spy (1958) – Gen. Toppe Operation Amsterdam (1959) – Peter Life in Danger (1959) – Dr. Nichols The Desperate Man (1959) – Hoad Circus of Horrors (1960) – German Police Inspector Knopf The Trunk (1961) – Nicholas Steiner Double Bunk (1961) – Freighter Pilot The Devil's Daffodil (1961) – Polizist (uncredited) Invasion Quartet (1961) – Gun Commander Fate Takes a Hand (1961) – Preeny Mystery Submarine (1963) – Lt. Lyncker The Gentle Terror (1963) – 1st Auditor Secrets of a Windmill Girl (1966) – Len Mason The Devil Rides Out (1968) – Satanist (uncredited) The Looking Glass War (1970) – Finnish Policeman (final film role)