Biografia
Executive Producer, Writer, Director, Actor, Singer. Peter began his career on camera, guest-starring in iconic series such as Murphy Brown, Beverly Hills 90210, The Facts of Life, Dynasty, Too Close for Comfort, Booker, Matlock, as well as lesser-known shows that secured his medical insurance. He also appeared in films like Spread, Movers and Shakers, GORP, and other notable projects. Peter won the Drama-Logue Award for Best Actor for his role as Danny Zuko in a Los Angeles production of GREASE. After fifteen years of unsold pilots, SAG dues, and therapy bills, he and his Encino therapist agreed it would be healthier for him to work behind the camera. So he did. Alongside his then-wife, Fran Drescher, he created, wrote, and executive produced The Nanny for CBS, which ran for six years and became one of the most sought-after series in television syndication. He had a great therapist!
Peter co-wrote The Nanny Animated Christmas Special, Oye to the World, and the Chatter Box. He wrote the CBS pilot DIVA, executive produced, wrote, and created CCPD, a FOX pilot starring Dan Aykroyd, and co-created Charmed Lives for Embassy with Eve Brandstein. He also executive produced the Paramount film Beautician and the Beast and co-wrote the Disney film Mama Mia with Frank Lombardi, which earned him a lovely beachside home.
After The Nanny ended, Peter returned to his hometown, New York City—but this time to Tribeca, not Flushing. He secured a spacious loft on a low floor without a view. While in New York, Peter and writing partner Michael Scalisi wrote the film Who I Did On My Summer Vacation, which was slated to star Scarlett Johansson. However, when the German economy faltered, funding for the project disappeared along with Scarlett’s involvement.
Instead of despairing, Peter returned to television and, with Nick Scotti, created, produced, and wrote the cult reality series New York Nick for E!'s Style Network. But Hollywood soon called again—and the harsh New York winters were a factor—so Peter sold his loft and relocated to the Sunset Hills of Beverly. He found a stunning house that was featured on a season of Bobby Flay’s Food Channel show, which helped cover the mortgage during the writers' strike.
While directing episodes of the Joey Lawrence sitcom Run of the House, Caryn Lucas offered him a position as Co-Executive Producer on WB's What I Like About You, where he stayed for two seasons and directed multiple episodes. Peter also directed episodes of Hope and Faith, Rita Rocks, and the web series Tease.
TV Land aired Happily Divorced, a series he co-created with Fran Drescher, inspired by their 18-year marriage that ended after Peter came out as gay. He served as Executive Producer and writer on the show. At the same time, Queen of Harts, a sitcom he created, was in development with LOGO as their first comedy series.
