|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter Venkman |
 |
This article or section describes a work or element of fiction in a primarily in-universe style. Please rewrite this article or section to explain the fiction more clearly and provide non-fictional perspective. |
| Peter Venkman | |
|---|---|
 Bill Murray as Peter Venkman |
|
| First appearance | Ghostbusters (1984) |
| Last appearance | Extreme Ghostbusters Series Finale (1997) |
| Portrayed by | Bill Murray (Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters II) Lorenzo Music, Dave Coulier (Real Ghostbusters) Dave Coulier (Extreme Ghostbusters guest star) |
| Information | |
| Date of birth | 25 October 1954 |
| Occupation | Scientist Ghostbuster |
| Address | Manhattan |
| Religion | Christian |
| Nationality | American |
Peter Venkman, Ph.D. is a fictional scientist and member of the Ghostbusters, appearing in the films Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II and in the animated television series The Real Ghostbusters. In both the live action films, he was portrayed by Bill Murray, and was voiced in the animated series first by Lorenzo Music and then by Dave Coulier.
Coincidentally, Lorenzo Music and Bill Murray also shared another role. Music provided the voice of the popular cartoon cat Garfield in his animated specials and television series in the 1980s and 1990s. Murray later took over the role in two live-action feature films following Music's death.
Contents |
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Peter is one of three doctors of parapsychology on the team, though he also holds a PhD in psychology. In the movies, he is characterized by his flippant persona, his lackadaisical approach to his profession, and his womanizing demeanor; of the three doctors in the Ghostbusters, he is the least committed to the academic and scientific side of their profession, and tends to regard his field, in the words of Dean Yeager, his employer at "the University" in the first film, as "a dodge or hustle". However, he created from time to time inventions that help save the Ghostbusters but end up destroyed at the end, and he possesses more savvy and street-smarts than either Ray Stantz or Egon Spengler.
Venkman tended to serve as the front man for the group, and despite being less scientifically oriented, he made up for this with a greater degree of social ability than the more academically inclined Ray and Egon. He thus served as a link between the group and more normal reality.
With the possible exception of Winston Zeddemore, he is the most skeptical member of the team when dealing with paranormal activity. He is the comic relief Ghostbuster and also acts as the salesman of the group. The latter duty proves critical during the Gozer Crisis when Venkman manages to persuade the Mayor of New York City with masterful rhetoric to allow the Ghostbusters to attempt to stop Gozer. In Ghostbusters II, following the break-up of the team, he hosts a psychic-themed talk show on local television. His love interest in both films is Dana Barrett.
In The Real Ghostbusters series, Peter's womanizing is toned down somewhat (though he is still quick to approach attractive women), but he retains his dry wit and sarcastic demeanor, and his vanity is played up more. While not the official leader of the group, Venkman is the closest thing they have to one, and often makes the decision whether the Ghostbusters will take a case or not. He is originally opposed to the idea of Slimer living in the firehouse, but quickly develops a love-hate relationship with the ghost. The episodes "Venkman's Ghost Repellers", "Cold Cash and Hot Water", and "Treasure of the Sierra Tamale" feature Peter's father, a con artist/businessman who couldn't make an honest dollar and was often away on business during Peter's childhood, as mentioned in "X-mas Marks The Spot". He is depicted as a negligent, even manipulative father; his relationship with Peter often tumultuous. Peter has claimed to be a Scorpio, as mentioned in "Mean Green Teen Machine". In "Last Train to Oblivion", one of Peter's favorite hobbies is trains, and he used to dream about driving a big locomotive when he was a child (Peter even studied engineering in college for two years before finding out it had nothing to do with trains).
Only appearing in the two part series finale. After the closing down of the Ghostbusters, Peter moved out to California, with the intention of getting another Ghostbusters movie made, although he said he was holding out for Brad Pitt to play him.
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (June 2008) |
|
|||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |