Peter Graves was best known for his role as Jim Phelps in the TV series "Mission: Impossible," for which he won a Golden Globe in 1971. He also made his mark as a Nazi spy in "Stalag 17," the smug pilot in "Airplane!" and the rumbling voice of A&E's "Biography." During the 1990s, he hosted the documentary series Biography on A&E. He also acted in a number of films featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000.

In 2009, AirTran Airways featured Peter Graves in a series of web-only "Internetiquette" videos in which Graves appeared in a pilot's uniform and references classic Airplane! lines. The videos were part of an AirTran Airways campaign to promote their in-flight WI-FI internet access.

Graves was awarded a Golden Globe Award in 1971 for his role as Jim Phelps in the series Mission: Impossible. He also received nominations for an Emmy Award and Golden Globe awards in other seasons of that show. Graves also won a Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding informational series in 1997 as host of Biography. On October 30, 2009 Graves was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.