GREGORY PECK

Born – Eldred Gregory Peck, 5 April 1916 , La Jolla Ca. Married 1 – Greta Rice (1942-1955) Children – Two Sons and a daughter. Married 2 – Veronique Passani (1955 – ) Children – Son Tony and daughter actress Cecilia. Died - 12 June 2003, from natural causes in Los Angeles,              California. USA.

While studying for pre-MEd, Peck got the acting bug and decided to change the focus of his studies. He enrolled in the Neighbourhood Playhouse in New York and after graduation, made an impressive debut on Broadway in 1942, before heading for Hollywood . He was soon established as a leading star in the absence of many of the veteran personalities in the waning years of WW 11. Gregory was barred from military service by a spine injury he had incurred in a college-rowing match. He has since remained a popular film hero, a likeable, dependable leading man whose forthright personality has dominated the screen in a variety of genres. His tall, dark and handsome figure has graced Hollywood films for three decades of filmgoers.

Among Hollywood ’s leading citizens, Gregory has been active in many charitable, liberal politics and film industry causes. In 1965 he became a member of the National Council on Arts and the following year was elected chairman of the American Cancer Society. He also produced a few films. Always politically liberal, Gregory has been active in causes dealing with charities, politics or the film industry.

Gregory is the recipient of several awards.

1950     The New York Film Critics - Best Actor

1966     The Medal of Freedom Award

1967     The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award

1979     Elected to the Cowboy Hall of Fame

1989     American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award

1990     The New York ’s Museum of Modern Art

1991     The John F. Kennedy Award

1991     Film Society of Lincoln Centre

Personal Quotes: “I never liked the name Eldred. Since nobody knew me in New York , I just changed to my middle name."

Trivia: One Academy Award best actor and four nominations.

•    Little photo from Players cigarette cards.

During a career spanning 56 years Gregory appeared in 77 films.

Featured in the following collective films:

1944     The Keys of the Kingdom with Thomas Mitchell. AAN best actor

1945     Valley of Decision with Greer Garson

1945     Spellbound with Ingrid Bergman

1946     Duel in the Sun with Jennifer Jones

1946     The Yearling with Jane Wyman. AAN best actor

1947     Gentleman’s Agreement with Dorothy McGuire. AAN best actor

1948     The Paradine Case with Charles Laughton

1949     Twelve O’ Clock High with Hugh Marlowe. AAN best actor

1951     David and Bathsheba with Susan Hayward

1952     The World in His Arms with Ann Blyth

1952     The Snows of Kilimanjaro with Susan Hayward

1953     Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn

1957     Designing Woman with Lauren Bacall

1958     The Big Country with Jean Simmons. Also co-produced.

1959     On the Beach with Ava Gardner

1961     The Guns of Navarone with Anthony Quinn

1962     To Kill a Mockingbird with Mary Badham. AA best actor

1962     How the West Was Won with Henry Fonda                                        

1965     Mirage with Walter Matthau

1966     Arabesque with Sophia Loren

1968     Mackenna’s Gold with Omar Sheriff

1978     The Boys from Brazil with Laurence Olivier

1980     The Sea Wolves with David Niven

1983     The Scarlet and the Black with Christopher Plummer

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