Peter Burton Biography
Peter Burton was an English actor best known for his role as Major Boothroyd, the firearms expert in the first two James Bond movies. Born in London on October 31, 1930, Burton had a long and distinguished career in film and television which began after he left school at
15.
Burton’s big break came in 1958 when he was cast as PC Tearle in the iconic police drama Dixon of Dock Green. Over the next two decades he appeared in many hit TV shows before making his debut as Major Boothroyd opposite Sean Connery’s James Bond in 1962’s Dr No. He reprised this role in From Russia With Love (1963) and cemented his place as one of the most recognizable faces from the 007 franchise.
Outside of acting, Burton was also heavily involved with music and wrote two operas – The Rose and The Fingerbowl – both of which were performed at Westminster Cathedral. He also composed scores for several films including That Riviera Touch (1966) and Suomisen Ollin Espanjassa (1974).
Peter Burton passed away on March 10th 2003 aged 72 but is remembered by many Bond fans for his performance as Major Boothroyd. His legacy lives on through various tributes online; be it through memes or articles detailing his contribution to British film and television over a period of five decades.
