Eldred Gregory Peck was born April 6th, 1916 in La Jolla, California. He was a pre-med student when he changed his mind and decided to become an actor. He enrolled in the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York and made his Broadway debut soon after graduation. This was in 1942. A year later, Gregory found himself in Hollywood. He became a star with "Keys of the Kingdom" in 1944. He was nominated for his first Academy Award for this movie. In the 1940's, Peck became one of Hollywood's biggest leading men, because he had the talent to play any role.
In 1945, Gregory starred in Alfred Hitchcock's "Spellbound", which also starred Ingrid Bergman and Leo G. Carroll. This is one of my favorite movies. The only thing I can't understand is why Ingrid Bergman's character, Constance, always turns away when Gregory's character, John, kisses her. I most certainly wouldn't push him away!
That same year, Peck made "The Valley of Decision", co-starring Greer Garson. This is a magnificent movie, which was nominated for two Oscars. In 1946, Gregory starred as Pa Baxter in "The Yearling", which also starred Jane Wyman and Henry Travers. Gregory was once again nominated for an Academy Award for his work, but lost. Later that year, Gregory starred with Jennifer Jones, Joseph Cotten, Lillian Gish, and Lionel Barrymore in one of my favorite movies: "Duel in the Sun". This was very un-Gregory-like, because he played bad guy Lewt McCanles. Why is he bad? He blows up a railroad and kills a man who wants to marry Pearl (Jennifer). Lewt has no intention of marrying Pearl! He also shoots his own brother, Jesse. (Joseph) So overall, he's just a great guy!~
(both pictures) Jennifer and Gregory
The next year, Peck starred in another Hitchcock work: "The Paradine Case", which also featured Leo G. Carroll, Ethel Barrymore, and Louis Jourdon. Also in 1947, Gregory starred in one of his greatest and most famous movies: "Gentleman's Agreement". In this, he is Phil Green, a journalist who writes an expose about the treatment of Jews. This movie also stars Celeste Holm, Dorothy McGuire, and John Garfield. Gregory again was nominated for an Oscar, but once again the Academy snubbed him. He deserved the award!!~
In 1949, Gregory was in another classic, a war movie called "Twelve O'Clock High". This film also stars Gary Merrill, Hugh Marlowe, and a great cast. Gregory was nominated for an Oscar, but lost. This is a spectacular movie, and a personal favorite of my dad's.
Links to other sites on the Web
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Elizabeth's Joseph Cotten Page
Elizabeth's Jennifer Jones Page
Duel in the Sun
Elizabeth's Leo G. Carroll Page
Phillip's Jennifer Jones Page
people have visited this site since May 1st, 1999
Thanks to Phillip Oliver for the "Duel in the Sun" pictures! A link to his wonderful Jennifer Jones page has been provided above.
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