By Travis Johnson
Veteran Australian actor Peter Sumner was a familiar face from a huge number of movies and television series, such as Play School, Homicide, Division 4, Matlock Police, Boney, The Sullivans, Cop Shop, Neighbours, and Home and Away, but he was an even more familiar voice to generations of science fiction fans, having uttered the phrase “TK-421, why aren’t you at your post?” in the original Star Wars.
It was only one line, and indeed only a couple of days work, for the jobbing actor, but it has garnered him more attention than any of his other roles. Like many other SF performers, Sumner became a regular on the convention circuit.
Sumner also worked extensively on stage, and appeared in such films as Color Me Dead, Ned Kelly, The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, The Survivor and Bush Christmas. He is survived by his wife and three children.
Peter was a dear friend of mine, having met him in India in the 90s.We are /were both actors & followers of Avatar Meher Baba & so had a lot in common. Every time I would return to my home town of Sydney I always made sure to spend time with him. Last July he told me he had licked the demon cancer & was given the good news that if his blood work stayed this good for 5 years, he could be declared free of it for ever. He was a wonderful love filled man & I shall miss him greatly. Rest in peace my dear friend.
Dear Peter, we didn’t see each other for more years than I care to remember but what I do remember and always will is a talented and thoughtful loving man. A deep thinker and intelligent man with a good heart. RIP. ? Olga