Name: Gregory Peck
Known for: Prolific acting career spanning six decades.
Career highlights: Known for his portrayal of Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird (1962). Other notables include The Keys of the Kingdom (1944), The Yearling (1946), Gentleman’s Agreement (1947), and Twelve O’Clock High (1949). Served as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; won Academy Award for Best Actor for To Kill A Mockingbird (1962).
Connection to San Diego: Born in La, Jolla, CA; Attended San Diego High School; Attended San Diego State University briefly; Founded the La Jolla Playhouse theatre.
Analyzing Peck: In his movies, with a few exceptions Peck has always played the upstanding, imposing yet, sensitive hero. In his most famous and favorite role as Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird (1962), Peck was all three. Upstanding for his defense of Tom Robinson played by Brock Peters; a sensitive yet, firm father to his two children and imposing in the courtroom. But Peck as both the actor and the man was so much more. He was cool, calm and always collected. As he did in his movies, Peck in real life also stood by those without a voice, so much so that he earned himself a spot on Richard Nixon’s infamous “Enemy’s List”. Which is why his car counterpart is…
Peck’s car: A 1965 Aston Martin DB5. The DB5, like Peck in his roles is; suave, cool, classic, understated and most importantly, heroic. Why is it the latter? Because of a man known internationally by three numbers — 007. Peck, in many ways, specifically in To Kill A Mockingbird, was like James Bond in all 22 films, without the womanizing. The DB5 changed the way we thought of Aston Martin, yes, it had always been a luxury sports brand but, the DB5, probably because of Bond gave it sophistication. Peck gave the film industry the same. The DB5 has since been eclipsed by newer models such as the DB7 and the smooth, fast and very good looking DB9, but to a certain generation it will always be their icon. Similarly, Hollywood has since produced a number of perennial hero stars but, to the Baby Boom generation, Peck has left his mark, and to those who don’t know of him, yet — they will, and if they appreciate great cinema they too will see why he and his car are both legends.
So, what do you think? Right choice?
