(Gregory Peck)
As a child, his grandmother often took him to the movies. However, after watching “The Phantom of the Opera” at the age of nine, he was so terrified that he slept in his grandmother’s room for comfort.
He was known for his deep voice and commanding presence.But he also had a knack for comedy, which he showcased in lighter roles like Roman Holiday alongside Audrey Hepburn.
During the filming of “The Guns of Navarone“, he narrowly escaped injury when a prop cannon misfired. His calm demeanor during the incident impressed the crew.
Gregory Peck, was born as Aldred Gregory Peck on April 5, 1916 at La Jolla, California, U.S.
He was a tall, imposing American actor with a deep, mellow voice. He was best known for portraying characters with honesty and integrity.
Gregory Peck, a pharmacist’s son, initially trained in the military and attended San Diego State College. Later he enrolled as a premed student at the University of California at Berkeley. He was five when his parents divorced, leaving his grandmother to raise him. He cherished memories of weekly movie outings with her and his loyal dog. Curiously, however he described his early years as unstable.
Upon graduating, Peck pursued his passion for acting in New York. He worked at the 1939 World’s Fair and as an usher at Radio City Music Hall to sustain himself while attending the Neighborhood Playhouse. His Broadway debut in “The Morning Star”(1942) marked the start of his journey, though it took time for success to follow.
Gregory Peck’s career took a turn when he was invited to Hollywood. His debut film Days of Glory (1944) established him as a leading man, partly due to his spinal injury exempting him from military service during World War II. His performance in “The Keys of the Kingdom” (1944) earned him his first Academy Award nomination.
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In the late 1940s, Peck starred in quite a few acclaimed films.Some of them were “Gentleman’s Agreement” (1947), which brought him another Oscar nomination, and other classics like “Yellow Sky”(1948) and “Spellbound” (1945).These contributed in solidifying his status as one of the decade’s most admired leading men.
Peck’s work with directors such as Henry King yielded profound results. In films like “Twelve O’Clock High” (1949) and “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” (1952), he portrayed conflicted, authoritative figures. His portrayal of Atticus Finch in “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962) remains an iconic role that won him an Academy Award.
Peck could easily get under the skins of a wide array of character types.
From playing a grieving father in “The Omen”(1976) to the villainous Nazi Joseph Mengele in “The Boys from Brazil” (1978), Peck demonstrated his range.His films of the 1990s were less memorable though.He had declared himself semi-retired by then.
Peck excelled in roles as stoic men driven by a sense of justice.But his emotional depth eluded some performances, such as Moby Dick (1956). Beyond acting, he was celebrated for his humility and advocacy for social, political, and charitable causes, leaving behind a legacy of grace and integrity.
Gregory Peck died at age 87 on June 12, 2003 in Los Angeles, California.
