Episode # 246: Peter Knego (Peter Coe, Rosalee Calvert)

Today on another encore edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to Peter Knego, son of actor Peter Coe and model Rosalee Calvert. Peter doesn’t pull many punches on this episode as we discuss the mercurial character that was his father. Known for his roles in films from the 1940s onward, be it Gung Ho!, Gypsy Wildcat or Louisiana Hussy, Coe is best remembered for his for his wild offscreen ways, his dark good look, his many wives and more. In fact, many will remember Peter Coe best for his horror film career in films like House of Frankenstein & The Mummy’s Curse both which starred Lon Cheyney Jr. However it might be his lasting friendship at the very end of his life with b-movie director Ed Wood that piques the most interest with fans. In fact, Wood died in Coe’s apartment. And our guest Peter was there to witness it all believe it or not. We discuss this fascinating and disturbing story coming up.  

We also discuss Peter’s mother, model Rosalee Cavlert who might have been the most famous model of the 1950s and 1960s. In fact, while she did act, she often played a model in films like Made in Paris and The Oscar, both starring host Josh Mills’ mother, Edie Adams. We talk about Peter’s time with his mother growing up pretty much in poverty while somehow living in an exclusive enclave of Los Angeles. The story Peter weaves about how this happens is fascinating.

Along the way we discuss couture designer James Galanos, Atlantic Records music mogul Ahmet Ertegun, how Coe escaped the Nazi’s, the cult rock band Sparks, Bela Lugosi, having dinner with Mel Brooks, grade Z actor Paul Marco & much more. Peter is nothing if not self-effacing, straight forward, funny, matter of fact and quite happy to tell us both the good and the bad of growing up the child of a celebrity. Take a listen. Everyone has a story. Rarely are they this unique.