From His Point of View

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view ... 'til you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it." 

-- Atticus Finch ("To Kill a Mockingbird")

Gregory Peck (April 5, 1916) is one of America's finest actors and also happens to be one of my all-time favorite actors as well. He almost always played men of conviction and compassion, which I found very appealing even at a young age.

Peck's career took off in 1945, when he starred in Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound co-starring Ingrid Bergman. The 1950s saw numerous box office successes, such as The Gunfighter, The Snows of Kiliminjaro and Moby Dick. His final acting appearance came in 1998's Moby Dick mini-series, starring as Father Mapple (he played Captain Ahab in the 1956 version).

Throughout his illustrious career, Peck starred in many memorable and noteworthy films. Below are a few of my personal favorites.



-- To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)

Gregory Peck won a Best Actor Academy Award for his masterful performance as crusading lawyer Atticus Finch. Based on Harper Lee's novel, the film tells the story of Finch, his daughter Scout and son Jem in 1930s Alabama. 

-- Roman Holiday (1953)

A fun and sweet romantic comedy showcases the wonders of Rome through the eyes of a naive princess (Audrey Hepburn) and a slightly cynical journalist (Peck). 

-- The Guns of Navarone (1961)

Peck stars as Captain Mallory, who is unexpectedly put in charge of destroying German cannons on an Aegean island.  This film, also starring David Niven and Anthony Quinn, is a fast-paced and entertaining World War II thriller. 

-- Gentleman's Agreement (1947)

In order to get to write an expose on anti-Semitism in post-war New York City, a journalist (Peck) poses as a Jew. This assignment begins to take a toll on this widower and father in many of his relationships. Gentleman's Agreement won the Best Picture Academy Award in 1948. 

--Post by Tracy