Biografía

In the early 1960s when TV-western mania reached its peak, an American magazine sponsored a contest for the actors who portrayed western heroes and villains. Since the climactic moment of so many shows was the classic quick-draw shoot-out, the actors had to acquire that skill to play their scenes. The magazine held a competiton among some of the stars of the shows, firing blanks, aiming not at each other but downrange, and using an electronic timer. Quite a number of cowboy stars showed up to "slap leather." He beat them all and won the title of the fastest gun in Hollywood.

Traditionally a dark-haired heartthrob of early 1960s TV, he became a peroxide blond for one of the leading surfer roles in Ride the Wild Surf (1964), co-starring Tab Hunter and Fabian.

Having studied acting with Jeff Corey, he was discovered pumping gas by none other than Jack L. Warner and handed a Warner Bros. contract.

Born in New York City but raised in Spokane, Washington, where he graduated from North Central High School. He took the stage name Brown from his stepfather Albert "Bud" Brown. His biological father, John Patton de Lappe, a journalist for the Hearst Corporation, died when he was four. Peter's initial inspiration in show business was his mother, Wilhelmina "Mina" Reaume, a radio and stage actress.

Used his real-life horse, Amigo, on the series Laredo (1965).