Peter Sanderson

### Likes

Making movies, family, having a great time on movies, making money, finding new talent.

### Dislikes

Lousy actors, bad movies, not having fun with making films, financial turmoil.

### Date of death

October 19th 1996 (of Stomach Cancer) (Age 48)

## Appearances

### Quote

"If there's one thing that I strive for, it's to create as many classics while I am alive. Once I am dead, if there's an afterlife, I'll look down on everyone, and I'll hope to see loads of people finding enjoyment in my company's films."

**Peter Sanderson** was an American producer, film director and occasional actor, he is known for founding the Happy Wheels Studios, which he was also the president of, from 1974, until 1995, when he stepped down due to his battle with Stomach Cancer, he would die a year later in 1996.

## Biography

Peter Sanderson was born on April 19th, 1948, in New York City. His father, was an American Broadway director Nick Sanderson and his mother was Marilyn Sanderson, a actress on stage and film.

As a young boy, he often day dreamed of many adventures, and loved playing with his friends.

However, his life would change, after father got diagnosed with Lung cancer in 1955, Peter, only 7 when his father got diagnosed, he was very confused.

His father would die 4 years later in 1959, leaving an 11 year old Sanderson, very devastated. Sanderson talked about his father in one of his last interviews in 1996.

"My dad was the best. He could make any sad day better just with his smile. I still miss him dearly. And I think about him every day."

Sanderson would find solace in the movie theater, when he saw the movie Ben Hur, he realized, what he wanted to when he grew up, he desired to make movies.

In the 1965, Sanderson met who would become one of his best friends, the British actor Timothy Wiktor, who had recently moved from England to America. The two became friends instantly, and started making low budget movies, simply for fun.

Their big break would come in 1974, when Peter Sanderson founded the Happy Wheels Studios, and when the company's first movie got released, 2 Spies, One Terrorist, the film was a semi parody of James Bond, and was an unexpected smash success both critically and financially. The film's success led to it spawning a franchise, *Sean Fond*, which would continue running until 1993.

(Further details coming soon)

## Illness and Death

By the late 1980's, it became clear to everyone working with him, he was starting to become more ill, he often denied that he was ill.

In 1990, Sanderson was diagnosed with Lung Cancer, this happened during the production of Sean Fond 11, which he was producing, and reprising his role of Tommy Nichols. Sanderson started doing chemotherapy, in the hopes that he could beat cancer.

His cancer went into remission briefly in 1991, but returned in 1992, during the troubled production of Sean Fond 12. When he appeared on set, Sanderson looked extremely ill. It was then, when he admitted, he was struggling with Lung cancer. The cast and crew was shocked, the film's star, Timothy Wiktor, was absolutely shocked to hear.

He was so ill during the production, Timothy Wiktor himself had to take over production duties. Due to his cancer, Sanderson's role (as Tommy Nichols) in the film was decreased dramatically.

Sanderson seemed to be improving overall in 1994, Timothy Wiktor said in a 1996 interview shortly after Sanderson's death.

"It almost looked like he was going to beat his cancer. No joke, when me and him were talking to each other about new film ideas, he was full of energy, and very hilarious."

However, in 1995, during the production of *Wheelchair Guy 2*, Sanderson was diagnosed with terminal Stomach Cancer. He kept this secret to himself. However, Sanderson's more frail and skinny appearance was incredibly noticeable to everyone. And some days, he was so ill, he could barely get anything done, and Timothy Wiktor took over producing duties again. Sanderson told the crew, that he was unlikely to live to see the finished film.

On October 1996, Sanderson was admitted to the St. James hospital in Tylersdale, where he died.

Many of his friends and colleagues sent their condolences, and Timothy Wiktor was hit very hard by his death, saying.

"I'm going to miss Peter, he was one of my best friends ever. He was the one who got me to where I am now... [...] even though I am going to miss him badly, I at least now know he is no longer in pain. Goodbye, good friend."

*Wheelchair Guy 2*, would be released that December in 1996, it had his final film appearance, as his reoccurring character "Bobby Smith". The film would receive mixed reviews from critics, but would do well at the box office. The film was dedicated to his memory.

After he died, his character "Bobby Smith" also died, his character's death was mentioned in *Wheelchair Guy 3*.

## Personal Life

Sanderson was raised in a Christian household, but grew up to be Agnostic. Later in life, he stated that he was "pretty sure" he believed in God.

"I say yeah, I'm pretty sure. God does exist. I don’t have a religion, but I do believe in an afterlife, and a higher power."

He was a Democrat.

He could speak fluently in German, French and Spanish.

## Filmography

### Producer

Sean Fond: Two Spies, One Terrorist (1974)

Sean Fond 2: Double Trouble (1975)

Total Mess! (1976)

Sean Fond 3: The Ice Threat (1977)

Total Mess 2! (1978)

Legend Of Doom! (1979)

Sean Fond 4: 4 Times The Problems (1979)

Mystery Of The Lost Ruby (1980)

John Screws Up! (1981)

Sean Fond 5: The Gold Blood Heist (1982)

Tickets, Please! (1983)

Sean Fond 6: Low Ocean (1983)

The Day He Missed The Mark! (1984)

Sean Fond 7: Seven Cases (1985)

Sean Fond 8: The Diamond Mines (1986)

Deadly Dungeon (1987)

Sean Fond 9: 19 Hours & 88 Minutes (1988)

Total Mess 3! (1989)

Sean Fond 10: No Time To Spare (1990)

Sean Fond 11: The Crystal Maze (1991)

Mystery Meat (1992)

Sean Fond 12: The Case Of The Rapper (1993)

Hello, Goodbye! (1994)

Wheelchair Guy (1994)

Total Mess 4! (1994)

Non-Profit (1995)

Wheelchair Guy 2 (1996; released posthumously; dedicated to his memory)

Undo (1997; released posthumously; dedicated to his memory)

### Actor

Sean Fond: Two Spies, One Terrorist - Tommy Nichols

Sean Fond 2: Double Trouble - Tommy Nichols

Sean Fond 3: The Ice Threat - Tommy Nichols

Sean Fond 4: 4 Times The Problems - Tommy Nichols (Scenes deleted; later added onto the Director's Cut)

Total Mess! - John Ivan

Total Mess 2! - John Ivan

Tickets, Please! - The Ticketmaster

Total Mess 3! - John Ivan

Sean Fond 10: No Time To Spare - Tommy Nichols & Evil Robot

Sean Fond 11: The Crystal Maze - Tommy Nichols

Mystery Meat - The Butcher

Sean Fond 12: The Case Of The Rapper - Tommy Nichols

Hello, Goodbye! - Roger Topaz

Wheelchair Guy - Bobby Smith

Total Mess 4! - John Ivan

Non-Profit - Himself (cameo)

Wheelchair Guy 2 - Bobby Smith (Released posthumously; dedicated to his memory)