Which 1963 comedy introduced the character Inspector Clouseau, played by Peter Sellers?

The 1963 comedy that introduced Inspector Clouseau, played by Peter Sellers, is The Pink Panther. Directed by Blake Edwards and written by Edwards and Maurice Richlin, the film is a stylish caper built around the attempted theft of a priceless diamond.

David Niven stars as Sir Charles Lytton, a celebrated jewel thief known as “the Phantom,” while Sellers plays the bumbling French detective Jacques Clouseau. Clouseau is assigned to protect Princess Dala and catch the thief, but his exaggerated accent, misplaced confidence, and chaotic investigative methods repeatedly create trouble.

Although Clouseau became the defining character of the later franchise, he was initially part of an ensemble. The original film centers more heavily on Niven’s jewel thief, with Claudia Cardinale, Robert Wagner, and Capucine also playing major roles. The character’s popularity led to a much larger role in the sequel, A Shot in the Dark, released in 1964.

Another memorable element is Henry Mancini’s instantly recognizable jazz theme. The animated pink panther was created for the opening credits and became a separate pop-culture icon, even though it is not the detective Clouseau.