Peter Sellers doing accents and talking Dr. Strangelove on NBC's Today Show interview (1980)

Excerpt from a 1980 interview with Sellers from NBC’s Today show, from Criterion Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb Blu-Ray.

[EzekielUSA]

The fact that Peter Sellers can look at Gene Shalit and not start laughing shows just how good of an actor he really was.

[pyrmontbridge]

There's something about old interviews like this which is kind of magic. There is a lack of modern day narcissism. There is an authenticity.

[gabrielashkar]

Peter Sellers was unique, irreplaceable, brilliant and a comedian of chameleonic qualities. We shall never see the likes of him again and the world was lucky to have had him.

[Orion]

Peter Sellers. Married 4 times, he was interviewed here in 1980 by Shalit. In real life he was erratic, compulsive, depressed, and insecure. He died of a heart attack in 1980. Shortly after this entertaining interview. A genius of an actor, with a troubled private life. He would clash with directors and co-actors on set. But he was a genius nevertheless. His role as inspector Clouseau stood out the most for me. Absolutely humorous. And brilliant.

[annadelf]

My favorite of his films is "Being There" and I only just learned through this interview how important it was to Peter Sellers, himself. I recommend it to all.

[dannydoc]

Peter Sellers was a miracle. If you ever get a chance to hear his comedy albums the man had NO limits. He could do every know accent, be a man or a woman, his humor was very sophisticated and hilarious, and he was a true chameleon, he could become anybody. I wish he had lived longer.

[jguttenberg]

Peter Sellers was a brilliant actor. Great in comedy and drama. Him not getting an academy award for Dr. Strangelove is a CRIME! His performances in Pink Panther, Lolita and Being There were brilliant. Died young and shortly after this interview (The same year, 1980)! Only 55 years old. Sad:-(

[tattyshoesshigure]

Dr Strangelove is one of the greatest anti-war satires ever, and Peter Sellers three roles in the movie were a work of true comic genius.

[RamZar]

One of the greatest actors of all time. Interview was just a month before his death on July 24, 1980 at age 54 from a heart attack.
So many great movies: Dr. Strangelove (he should’ve won the Oscar), Being There (another Oscar denied), The Party & the Pink Panther movies.

[shanesmith]

There has never been anyone like Peter Sellers. His presence has always been missed.

[dennisdivine]

Peter Sellars was a masterful mimic/dialectician: his understanding of London's accents is just this side of a linguist!

[dmontes]

What a talent! He even changes his posture and mannerisms with his accent! Brilliant!

[lowket]

Fondly remembered, dearly missed. Peter Sellers was like Robin Williams a league of their own, pure comedic geniuses.

[pawelos]

His clumsiness as Clouseau is so subtle and so hilarious that I often couldn't stop laughing.

[arturostevens]

He died shortly after this interview of a heart attack. What a genius. Being There is one of the funniest movies ever.

[AntifoulAwl]

the interviewer actually looks like a microphone.

[atbglenn]

Amazing actor. I wish he was still with us

[craige]

A true acting legend. I love everything he's ever done. He is sadly missed.

[donnythedingo]

You could tell Sellers was having a grand time playing Strangelove. It's one of the reasons I find it so fun to watch personally. Gone but not forgotten ❤

[mistofoles]

John Cleese said he once visited Peter at his house first thing in the morning, and when Peter appeared, he (Peter) had to go through several voices before "finding" his own.