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RIP Peter Breck

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–Actor Peter Breck, best remembered as Victoria Barkley’s (Barbara Stanwyck) hot-tempered, middle son Nick in the popular 1960s Western “The Big Valley,” died here February 6 after a long illness. He was 82.
MSTies will remember him as Mooney in the movie in episode 415- THE BEATNIKS and Steve Curan in the movie in episode 106- THE CRAWLING HAND.

The Hollywood Reporter has the story.

Thanks to Wendy for the heads up!

21 Replies to “RIP Peter Breck”

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  1. trickymutha says:

    He was one of my favorites from the series. I also saw “Shock Corridor.” His role as Mooney is up there with J.C., Torgo, Rowsdower and a host of other film stealing performances. He killed that fat barkeep, and, in my memory, he will keep. RIP

       5 likes

  2. LaFong says:

    Rest in peace.
    He’s now joined that fat barkeep in the roadhouse beyond.

       6 likes

  3. fonyo says:

    Boy Howdy, Nick. You were great on The Big Valley. RIP.

       4 likes

  4. briizilla says:

    He’s awesome in The Beatniks.

       1 likes

  5. Hollysdower says:

    I bet he’s killing fat barkeeps and mooning people in the big valley in the sky. RIP, Moony!

       8 likes

  6. Timmy says:

    RIP to a pretty distinguished MST3K actor. I have seen a few Big Valley episodes recently–it still runs on cable!–and it holds up pretty well & he holds his own with the generally very good co-stars (other than Linda Evans…) and guest stars.

       1 likes

  7. Cabbage Patch Elvis says:

    I’m going mooning in his honor. Anyone wanna join in? All you need is an ass!

       6 likes

  8. Hollysdower says:

    Well, that’s better than my idea. I was gonna kill fat barkeeps in his honor!

       10 likes

  9. hellokittee says:

    Bummer. The Beatniks is for sure in my Top 20 MST movies of all time. And let face it, Mooney completly stole the show. RIP.

    “I’m gonna Moon you man!”

       2 likes

  10. Cornjob says:

    Today I will solemnly moon someone, even if it’s myself.

       2 likes

  11. DICKWEED 1 says:

    NICK! HEATH! JARROD! Fire in the barn!!!!

       2 likes

  12. Neptune Man says:

    Rest in peace, killer of barkeeps of rotund complexion, you finally went to that Mexico in the Sky.

       0 likes

  13. Crow T Robert says:

    Alas poor Peter Breck. His Steve Curan made me appreciate his Mooney more.

       1 likes

  14. Ang says:

    Yesterday afternoon I watched several Big Valley episodes in a row (it’s one of my favorite shows) and then I got on the computer to check some of my fave sites and saw that he had died. I knew he was in his 80s but it’s hard for me to picture him as anything other than how he looked in the 60s. He and Barbara Stanwyck are my fave Big Valley characters and The Beatniks is one of my fave eps. He was married to the same woman for 51 years and by all accounts was a really nice guy. I hope he’s happy in that big valley in the sky chasing down wranglers and fat barkeeps.

       4 likes

  15. Kathy says:

    One of the better actors to be featured in a MST3K episode.

    We were lucky to have him.

       4 likes

  16. MSTie says:

    I can’t say it better than Kathy. So I won’t.

       1 likes

  17. lancecorbain says:

    Grew up watching reruns of The Big Valley and Maverick, so he was fun to spot on MST. Thanks for the memories!

       1 likes

  18. Mrs. Dick Courrier says:

    Never seen The Big Valley, but this thread makes me want to.

    Love his over the top performance in the Beatniks. He uttered three of the best quotes ever in MST history.

    RIP Peter

       0 likes

  19. Breck was great in Sam Fuller’s “Shock Corridor”. He plays a reporter who goes undercover to investigate a murder in an insane asylum. Memorable scene: Breck gets caught in the “nympho” ward. Talk about addicted to love!

       1 likes

  20. Cabbage Patch Elvis says:

    Shock Corridor also features a meeting of the MST’d: Peter Breck meets James Best!

       1 likes

  21. PALADIN says:

    Peter Breck gets some flack for some of his more ‘out there’ performances (‘Mooney’ for example), but I`ve seen him in a couple of eps of ‘Have Gun-Will Travel’ where he turned in exceptionally-powerful…and surprisingly understated showings.

    In one, he`s portraying a Civil War vet who is obviously shaken by his experiences in the war. Breck has barely a line of dialogue, but his facial reactions and mannerisms as he reacts to the dialogue being spoken near him speak volumes. He conveys a particularly ‘haunted’ aura as the shell-shocked vet.

    In another episode, he plays a peaceful, friendly young man who has been bullied out of his home town by a local loudmouth gunman. He then learns to fast draw a gun so he can return and face his tormentor.
    Unfortunately, after winning the showdown, he becomes seduced by the sense of power he now has with his fast draw shooting skill. He ends up being exactly like the bully he despised; taunting others into challenges so he can gun them down.
    Breck`s performance in this takes him from a troubled and very likeable fellow to a snide, over-bearing killer. In the interim, after the showdown with his tormentor, when he is advised to take off his gun, as he no longer needs it…He does so, but only for a few moments…then his hand reaches for the gunbelt, quavering as he touches it…and he quickly straps it on, and then pats it, as if it were his best friend in the world. From there, it`s all downhill. When next you see him, he is drinking hard and ready to gun down an unarmed bartender over a deck of cards he requested.

    The episode is titled; ‘The Protege’. If you ever get the chance, see that episode of ‘Have Gun-Will Travel’ Breck really pulls it off.

       2 likes

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