Jeremy Brett was the definitive Sherlock Holmes.  He was born Peter Jeremy Willaim Huggins on November 3, 1933.  His father forbade him from using the family name when he became an actor  and so his last name came from the name of the maker of his suit, "Brett & Co."  He suffered from Bipolar Disorder and cancer.  He died September 12, 1995 in his sleep in his home in Clapham Common, South London.  He is sorely missed.  Requiescat in pace, Jeremy.