'Mission Impossible' star Peter Graves dies

By the Associated Press

Peter Graves, star of the television series"Mission Impossible" and the "Airplane" films, has died.

Graves' publicist, Sandy Brokaw, says the actor died Sunday shortlyafter returning to his Los Angeles home from brunch with his family. Hewas 83.

Graves was best known for his portrayal of Jim Phelps, leader of a gangof special agents who battled evil conspirators in the long-runningtelevision series "Mission: Impossible."

Normally cast as a hero, he turned in an unforgettable performance earlyin his career as the treacherous Nazi spy in Billy Wilder's 1953prisoner-of-war drama "Stalag 17."

He also masterfully lampooned his straight-arrow image when he portrayedbumbling airline pilot Clarence Oveur in the 1980 disaster movie spoof"Airplane!"