Gregory Peck
Gregory Peck (April 5, 1916 - June 12, 2003) was an American film actor.
Born Eldred Gregory PeckLa Jolla, California, he wasson ofMissouri mother andchemist called Gregory Peck, whose mother, Catherine Ashe, was an Irish immigrant from County Kerry. Catherine Ashe was related toIrish patriot Thomas Ashe, who took part inIrish Easter Rising inyearPeck's birthwho died on hunger strike1917. Peck's parents divorced when he was fivehe was reared by his grandmother. Peck was sent toRoman Catholic military schoolLos Angeles atage10. When he graduated, he wentSan Diego State University, but dropped outyear later. Forshort time, he tookjob drivingtruckan oil company. In 1936, he enrolled aspre-med student atUniversityCalifornia, Berkeley. He majoredEnglishrowed onuniversity crew. He was recruited byschool's Little Theaterappearedfive plays his senior year.
After graduation, Peck droppedname "Eldred"headedNew York City1939study atNeighborhood Playhouse. He was often brokesometimes sleptCentral Park. He worked at1939 World's Fairastour guideNBC television. He made his Broadway debut asleadEmlyn Williams' "Morning Star"1942. Peck's acting abilities werehigh demand during World War II, since he was exempt from military service due toback injury suffered while receiving dancemovement lessons from Martha Graham as parthis acting training. Twentieth Century Fox claimed he had injured his back while rowingboat at university. In Peck's words, "In Hollywood,didn't thinkdance class was macho enough, I guess. I've been tryingstraighten out that storyyears."
Peck's first film was DaysGlory, released1944. He was nominated forAcademy AwardBest Actor five times, fourwhich camehis first five yearsfilm actingKeys ofKingdom (1944), The Yearling (1946), Gentleman's Agreement (1947), Twelve O'Clock High (1949).
Peck as Atticus Finch
In 1947 while many Hollywood figures were being blacklistedsimilar activities, he signedletter deploringHouse Un-American Activities Committee investigationalleged communists infilm industry. He was outspoken againstVietnam War, while remaining supportivehis son, Jonathan, who was fighting there. In 1972, Peck producedfilm versionPhilip Berrigan's play, The Trial ofCatonsville Nine aboutprosecution ofgroupVietnam protesterscivil disobedience.
In1980s he movedtelevision, where he starred inmini-series The Blue andGray, playing Abraham Lincoln. He also starred inTV film, The ScarletThe Black, aboutreal-life Catholic priest inVatican who smuggled Jewsother refugees away fromNazis during World War II.
Peck retired from active film-making inearly 1990s, having receivedLifetime Achievement Award fromAmerican Film Institute1989. A lifelong supporter ofDemocratic Party, he was suggested once aspossible Democrat candidaterun against Ronald Reagan forpostGovernorCalifornia. In an interview withIrish media, Peck revealed that former President ofUnited States Lyndon Johnson had told him that had he sought re-election, he intendedoffer PeckpostUS ambassadorIreland,post Peck, on accounthis Irish ancestry, said he might well have taken saying "it would have beengreat adventure".
In 2000, he was madeDoctorLetters byNational UniversityIreland. He wasfounding patron ofUniversity College Dublin SchoolFilm, where he persuaded Martin Scorsesebecome an honorary patron.
He diedhis sleep atage87his Los Angeles home,his second wife, Veronique, at his side. He was survived by Veronique, their two childrenonehis children from his earlier marriage. His oldest son, Jonathan, had killed himself1975.
External links
- Internet Movie Database (IMDb) - Gregory Peck
- Oscar-Winner Gregory Peck Dies at 87, Associated Press, June 12, 2003
- Actor Gregory Peck Dies at 87, Washington Post, June 12, 2003
- Top movie heroes
