Herbert Lom, best known as Inspector Clouseau’s frustrated boss in the Pink
Panther movies, died today at his home in London. He was 95. Lom appeared in more than 100 films, including Spartacus and El Cid, but his most memorable role came in the Pink Panther franchise as Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus, boss to the bumbling Clouseau played by Peter Sellers. His son Alec Lom said his father cherished the time he worked with Sellers. “He had many funny stories about the antics that he and Peter Sellers got up to on the set. It was a nightmare working with Peter because he was a terrible giggler and, between my father and Peter’s laughter, they ruined dozens and dozens of takes”, he told The Associated Press. Lom’s first major film role came in 1942 when he was cast as Napolean in The Young Mr. Pitt. His other film credits include The Seventh Veil, Night And The City, War And Peace, The Ladykillers and 1962′s The Phantom Of the Opera.


A loss of a great talent – to millions of course he’ll always be known as ‘Dreyfuss’ (‘The Pink Panther Strikes Again’ is the pinnacle of the Panther flicks in terms of comic brilliance). Of course, he did stellar work in the aforementioned movies as well.
I particularly enjoyed his dramatic turn in ‘The Dead Zone.’
Wouldn’t it be fun if reels of all of the Pink Panther flubs were uploaded on You Tube or somewhere?
RIP Mr. Lom
To some, he is known as the thoughftul Dr. Weizak in THE DEAD ZONE.
To others, he was an underrated PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.
But, to all, he will never be forgotten as Dreyfus: “I’m finished, washed up. Sanity is a thing of the past; madness reigns.” (from A SHOT IN THE DARK)
The voice, the presence, the dramatic intensity, the sly sense of humor…forever part of cinema history, Herbert Lom.
Herbert Lom was a terrific actor.
In a sense, Peter Sellers was the Roadrunner as Clouseau and Herbert Lom was Wylie Coyote as Dreyfuss.
Thank you, Mr. Lom, for so many side splitting laughs. Thinking of you always brings a smile.
RIP