Peter Barbour

On April 11, 1953, Peter was born to Russell and Rhoda Barbour in Houston, and as a toddler lived in Johnsue Crossing in a 4- house Humble Oil Camp outside of Katy. He lived in 5 houses and 3 towns in his first 4 years until his father’s death when Peter and his family moved to Austin where his mother grew up and her parents lived.

He had a wonderful childhood and life in Austin where he loved playing sports and making lifelong friends. Peter attended The University of Texas where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta and the Silver Spurs.

Always a natural storyteller, he was drawn to Hollywood to become a movie star. Once there he magnanimously opened his house and his heart to others looking for their own creative outlets.

Peter studied acting with TV actor and UCLA instructor, Rudy Solari. Peter acted in small theatre productions such as Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors” done “western style” at West Hollywood’s Globe Theatre. But perhaps his most lucrative acting performance was as an extra on “General Hospital” playing such roles as a corpse during a pandemic which earned him $150 a day, day after day, just to lay still on a gurney.

Multi-talented, Peter was a theatrical producer, director, and screenplay writer. In 1980, He produced an award-winning stage play called "Transgressor” by David Steininger. He co-wrote with David on projects including (1) a commissioned screenplay about the Texas oil boom in 1920s, (2) a limited TV series about the Doolittle Tokyo Raid in WWII based on the writings of Col. C.V. Glines, official historian of the U.S. Airforce, from whom Peter had received exclusive rights, and (3) a film project in collaboration with rock legend, Joe Walsh of the Eagles, based on the musician’s solo hit, “Life’s Been Good.”

Working as an assistant to an Academy Award winning sound editor, Peter received credits as an assistant sound editor on such movies as “When Harry Met Sally “, “Back to the Future II” and “Back to the Future III.” He worked on many film projects including movies associated with directors Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis and Rob Reiner.

Returning to the Austin area after 27 years in Los Angeles, he built a writer’s cabin on his property in the country between Blanco and Johnson City. There he wrote several books, including “Around the Horn,” “The Hogan Brothers,” with Jacque Hogan Towery, and “Charles Dickens’ American Road Show” with John Edson.

He founded Palookaville Records and was the executive producer on several albums for his good friend Phil Lee.

Peter is survived by his brothers, David and Larry, and his beloved nieces and nephews as well as a lifetime of loyal friends.

Peter helped jump-start the Save Muny cause in 2008 when he produced and financed the Save Muny Concert and Benefit bringing attention to the historic Lions Municipal Golf Course in Austin, and he was an ardent supporter ever since. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Peter’s memory with a donation to the Muny Conservancy by going to SaveMuny.com to learn more about how to give.

There will be a celebration of Peter’s life at his favorite restaurant, Fonda San Miguel, 2330 W North Loop Blvd., Austin, on Saturday, April 20, from 3 to 5 pm.