Gregory Peck was one of 20th Century Fox’s most popular actors from 1940 until the 1960s, portraying memorable roles such as Atticus Finch, Captain Ahab, and Sam Bowden. Born and raised in San Diego, CA, Peck was involved in various sports while in college, including track and university rowing. He first enrolled at what is now San Diego State University before gaining admission to University of California Berkeley. It was at Berkeley where Peck would go into theatre work.
Peck would graduate from Berkeley with a BA in English and then would head to New York City to study at the Neighborhood Playhouse. Despite the change of scenery, Peck was usually broke, taking odd jobs like working at the 1939 World's Fair and as’a tour guide for NBC. He would sometimes sleep in Central Park. He made his debut on Broadway as a lead in “The Morning Star” and then following up with “The Willow and I”.
Film audiences wouldn’t make Peck’s acquaintance until 1944 when he would first appear on the big screen. Other roles would follow and Peck was nominated five times for the Academy Award for Best Actor; four of these coming at the very beginning of his career - "The Keys of the Kingdom” (1944), “The Yearling” (1946), “Gentleman’s Agreement” (1947), and “Twelve O’clock High” (1949)
Gregory Peck is known to many due to his performances in memorable roles. His portrayal of Captain Ahab in the movie adaptation of “Moby Dick” is the most faithful to Herman Melville’s book; his role in “Cape Fear” as stalked lawyer Sam Bowden is notable for his onscreen fight with Robert Mitchum, as neither used stunt doubles. Peck would make appearances in the remakes of these movies – as Father Mapple to Patrick Stewart’s Ahab and as the lawyer to Robert Di Niro’s Max Cady.
Peck’s most remembered and famous role was his portrayal of Atticus Finch in the film adaptation of Harper Lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird” . Not only was this role a favorite of Peck himself, but it received rave reviews and attention from the author herself, critics, and the public. Currently, the character of Atticus Finch – notably the role that has made Peck famous – tops the American Film Institute’s list of greatest heroes of American films. Peck received his first Academy Award for Best Actor win. The film was released during the height of the civil rights movement within the United States and Peck - who was a civil rights activist – once said that he put everything into the role, including his feelings on racial justice, inequality, and opportunity.
Peck was an activist, fighting against the blacklist of alleged communists and being outspoken in regards to the Vietnam War. He even managed to get listed on former president Richard Nixon’s enemy list. While he never thought of entering politics, Peck was often sought to run for office, both as a candidate against Ronald Regan for the office of governor and as an ambassador under former president Lyndon Johnson. One of his sons, Carey, has run for political office twice, being defeated both times by a small margin.
Franck Benedittini
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