Gregory Peck, born in San Diego in 1916, went on to become one of the best performers of the Golden Age of Hollywood, ranking 12 on the American Film Institute’s list of the Greatest Male Stars of Old Hollywood Cinema. His acting was superb, his attractive looks and deep, booming voice were flawless, and his film choices were brilliant.
Unlike many stars today, Gregory Peck had a soul. The guy has class, which is uncommon in Hollywood anymore.
With his enticing eyes, the California native began his career in theater. After appearing in around 50 plays, Peck was cast in Days of Glory, a 1944 war-romance film.
But his major break came with his second film, The Keys to the Kingdom, in which he portrayed an 80-year-old Roman Catholic priest reflecting on his 50-year career as a missionary in China. The film is a truly poignant narrative of faith and love, and it earned Peck an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
The famed actor then collaborated with Alfred Hitchcock on Spellbound, co-starring with the legendary Ingrid Bergman. Peck and Bergman had an immediate connection, and despite the fact that they were both married at the time, they began an off-screen love affair. During an interview in 1987, the actor tacitly confirmed the claims, but he refused to divulge any specifics.
While Peck and Hitchcock’s friendship was strained, they collaborated on another film, The Paradine Case. Even though Peck was unskilled and required a lot of guidance, Hitchcock didn’t give him any assistance.
Hitchcock said that Peck was not the finest actor, yet the San Diego native got five Academy Award nominations for Best Actor. His performance as Atticus Finch in the play To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) garnered him the coveted Academy Award.
To Kill a Mockingbird is undoubtedly his most well-known film, although he also starred in Moby Dick (1956), The Great Country (1958), and How the West Was Won (1962).
“There’s a lot of ugly things in this world, son. I wish I could keep ‘em all away from you." – Atticus Finch #HappyFathersDay
Posted by To Kill a Mockingbird on Sunday, 21 June 2015
Peck also undertook significant humanitarian activities. President Lyndon B. Johnson awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969 for his lifelong humanitarian achievements.
Gregory Peck married Greta Kukkonen, who was born in Finland, in 1942. Jonathan, Stephen, and Carey Paul were the couple’s three sons. Jonathan died in 1975, but Stephen and Carey Paul are still living.
When Peck and Greta divorced in 1955, he fell in love with news reporter Véronique Passani. Véronique had interviewed him before traveling to Italy to film Roman Vacation. The couple had a son, Antony, and a daughter, Cecilia. Gregory and Véronique were married until Peck died in 2003.
Gregory Peck’s acting genes seem to have jumped a generation, arriving in Gregory Peck’s grandson, Ethan Gregory Peck. Stephen Peck, one of Gregory Peck’s three kids from his first marriage, is Ethan’s father. Stephen is a Vietnam veteran who formerly served as president and CEO of US VETS.
His son Ethan was born in 1986 and was only nine years old when he first appeared on television as Jimmy Smits’ son in the film Marshall Law.
Ethan appeared in That ’70s Show as the younger version of Michale Kelso (played by Ashton Kutcher). In 1999, he co-starred in the film Passport to Paris with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. After that, he was cast in Tennessee among stars such as Adam Rothenberg and Mariah Carey.
The young actor clearly acquired more than his grandfather’s acting ability. Many individuals believe the two resemble each other. Ethan inherited George’s prominent black brows and eyes, which gave him an appealing appearance.
Ethan had a good connection with his grandpa, but he didn’t feel particularly close to him.
Ethan’s ability was acknowledged in 2009 when he received the “Best Actor” award at the Sonoma International Film Festival for his depiction of “Sailor” in Adopt a Sailor.
Peck had a major part in the second season of Star Trek: Discovery. It was revealed that the actor will reprise his role in Star Trek: Strange New Planet, a spin-off (2022).
Obviously, having such a renowned grandfather has certain drawbacks. The name carries a great deal of weight and expectation, but Ethan insists he doesn’t feel the “weight” of his grandfather’s past.
The bright, good-looking actor, like his grandpa, is undoubtedly a major celebrity, and we hope to see more of him in the future!
