Peter Coyote, a versatile American artist, has left an indelible mark on the realms of acting, directing, screenwriting, authorship, and narration across film, theatre, television, and audiobooks. Born on October 10, 1941, as Robert Peter Cohon, his multifaceted career showcases a profound commitment to storytelling.
Coyote’s cinematic journey includes iconic roles in films such as “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Cross Creek,” “Jagged Edge,” “Bitter Moon,” “Patch Adams,” “Erin Brockovich,” “A Walk to Remember,” and “Femme Fatale.” His distinctive voice became a hallmark as he lent his narration skills to the opening ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympics and the PBS series “The Pacific Century,” earning him an Emmy.
Not confined to the screen, Coyote co-founded the Diggers, an anarchist improv group that flourished in Haight-Ashbury during the mid-1960s, coinciding with the Summer of Love. Beyond the glitz of Hollywood, Coyote has delved into the world of poetry. In 2021, Four Way Books released “Tongue of a Crow,” a collection spanning five decades that encapsulates his experiences as an activist, actor, and Zen Buddhist priest.
His narratorial prowess garnered further acclaim with a Primetime Emmy Award in 2015 for his compelling work on Ken Burns’s documentary miniseries “The Roosevelts: An Intimate History.” Peter Coyote’s artistic journey not only encompasses the magic of cinema but also reflects a profound engagement with activism, improvisation, and the timeless art of storytelling.