Peter Allen

Former Son-in-law of Vincente Minnelli and Judy Garland. Former half-brother-in-law of Lorna Luft and Joey Luft.

Former nephew-in-law of Mary Jane Gumm and Virginia Gumm.

The musical "A Boy From Oz" is based on his life, with music written by him. The title role was portrayed by Hugh Jackman.

He is credited for part of the Arthur theme song, a movie that starred his ex-wife Liza Minnelli. The other songwriters included Christopher Cross and Carole Bayer Sager.

He wrote the song, "Quiet Please, Theres A Lady On Stage" as a tribute to his late mother-in-law, Judy Garland.

He was awarded the A.M. (Member of the Order of Australia) in the 1990 Queens Birthday Honours List for his services to the performing arts particularly as a song writer.

Was once member of "The Allen Brothers", a musical partnership with guitarist and singer Chris Bell (known in the duo as Chris Allen ).

His favorite operas were Verdis "Otello," Wagners "Tristan und Isolde" and Mussorgskys "Boris Godunov.".

During the 1973-74 season, he was hired as a substitute for Milton Cross, who had been the Met announcer since the 1930s. Mr. Allen sat through 25 Saturday matinees. Mr. Cross died on Jan. 3, 1975, a Friday. The next day, Mr. Allen was in the broadcast booth for Rossinis "LItaliana in Algeri.".

He grew up in Cleveland.

He was a commanding officer of minesweepers in the Navy during WWII. After the war, he attended Ohio State University, where he first got into announcing at the campus radio station. He was also the principal violist in the universitys symphony orchestra. He moved to New York and became an announcer on WQXR, as well as an actor, a film and TV announcer, and a narrator.

He was for 29 years the informative announcer on the Metropolitan Opera broadcasts on radio and TV. He had succeeded Milton Cross and was replaced by Margaret Juntwait.

Forgiveness is a funny thing, it warms the heart and cools the sting. .