Peter Sellers

Birth Name: Richard Henry Seller

Date of Birth: 8 September, 1925

Place of Birth: Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, U.K.

Date of Death: 24 July, 1980

Place of Death: London, England, U.K.

Ethnicity:
*father – English
*mother – Sephardi Jewish, Ashkenazi Jewish

Peter Sellers was a British actor, comedian, and singer. His roles included the films Mr. Topaze, The Road to Hong Kong, Lolita (1962), The Pink Panther (1963), Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, The World of Henry Orient, A Shot in the Dark, What’s New Pussycat?, Casino Royale (1967), Woman Times Seven, The Party (1968), I Love You, Alice B. Toklas; The Magic Christian, Simon, Simon; There’s a Girl in My Soup, Where Does It Hurt?, Ghost in the Noonday Sun, The Blockhouse, Soft Beds, Hard Battles; The Great McGonagall, The Return of the Pink Panther, Murder by Death, The Pink Panther Strikes Again, Revenge of the Pink Panther, The Prisoner of Zenda (1979), Being There, and Trail of the Pink Panther.

He was the son of Agnes Doreen (Marks), known as “Peg Ray,” and William “Bill” Seller, later Sellers. His parents were variety entertainers. His father was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, and was Protestant. His mother was born in Hackney, London, and was Jewish, of Sephardi [Dutch Jewish, Italian Jewish, Spanish Jewish, and Portuguese Jewish] and Ashkenazi descent.

Peter was married to actress Lynne Frederick, until his death. He had two children with his former wife, actress Anne Howe; and a daughter with his former wife, Swedish actress and singer Britt Ekland.

Peter was a sixth cousin, three times removed, of Australian actor Heath Ledger. Peter’s maternal five times great-grandparents, Daniel de David de Mendoza and Esther Lopez, were also Heath’s maternal eight times great-grandparents. Daniel and Esther were Sephardi Jews.

Through his Mendoza line, Peter was also a relative of boxer Daniel Mendoza, who was boxing champion of England in 1792–1795.

Peter’s paternal grandfather was Richard Seller (the son of William Seller and Deborah Chadwick). Peter’s grandfather Richard was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England. William was the son of Richard Sellars/Seller and Margaret Beanland. Peter’s great-grandmother Deborah was the daughter of Jeremiah Chadwick and Mary.

Peter’s paternal grandmother was Alice Vollum (the daughter of William Henry Vollum and Priscilla Taylor). Alice was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England. William was the son of John Brigham Vollum and Elizabeth Anderton. Peter’s great-grandmother Priscilla was the daughter of Jonas Taylor and Emma Haigh.

Peter’s maternal grandfather was Solomon Marks (the son of George Joel Marks and Elizabeth Betsy Samuels). Solomon was born in East London, London, England. George was the son of Solomon Marks and Amelia Joel. Elizabeth was the daughter of Moses Samuels/Samuel and Sarah Davis.

Peter’s maternal grandmother Welcome Mendoza (the daughter of Israel Mordechai/Mordecai Mendoza and Elizabeth Bilha Bathsheba/Betsy Lesser). Welcome was born in Marylebone, London, England, and formed a touring variety company, where she used the name “Belle Ray.” Israel was the son of Mordechai Moses Mendoza and Sipora/Zipporah Sophia Levy/Levey, who was born in Amsterdam, Holland. Peter’s great-grandmother Bilha was the daughter of Abraham Eliezer/Isaac Leser.

Sources: Genealogies of Peter Sellers – http://www.geni.com
https://www.findagrave.com