RIP Herbert Lom, Star Of The ‘Pink Panther’ Films

Herbert Lom attempts to strangle Peter Sellers

Herbert Lom, the veteran actor best known for playing the twitchy, hate-fuelled Charles Dreyfus in the Pink Panther films, has died aged 95.

Born and raised in Prague, in what is now the Czech Republic, Herbert came to London at the beginning of the Second World War. He had already begun acting while in Prague, and studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, securing his first film work in 1940.

During his impressive 60-year career he appeared in over 100 films, including Spartacus, The Ladykillers, Fire Down Below and the 1954 War and Peace, in which he played Napoleon Bonaparte.

Here’s his finest hour, comedically speaking, Drefus and his slow descent into twitching madness, amid self-inflicted wounds and rampaging scorn for Peter Sellers’ Inspector Clouseau.

*Goes to fly flag at half mast, trips over*