Peter Sellers was a genius, whose unique mastery created enduring comic characters. But behind the man that could make the world laugh was a tragic sadness. Employing his creations as masks to hide behind, Sellers was convinced his own life was meaningless and empty.

Acclaimed (On Sunset Boulevard - the story of Billy WIlder) biographer Ed Sikov has spoken to many who knew and worked with Sellers, including Sophia Loren, Goldie Hawn, and Roman Polanski. Sikov reveals how Sellers was a casualty of his own insecurities and used his public persona to mask his tormented private life, littered with four marriages (and three divorces), countless affairs, and drug and alcohol abuse.

This is the authoritative and touching story of a majestic comedian, showing the very private face of a man whose world was lived through the public arena.

'An authoritative biography and a compulsive page turner.' Michael Palin, New York Times

'Sikov's book is often melancholy, but always informative, and entertaining... They don't really make 'em like that any more - you can't get the wood you know' Simon Louvish, Guardian