| Bushel of Talent |
16 June 2003
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Gregory Peck, RIP
Last week, this section discussed the American Film Institute's lilst of goodies and baddies in the films, and Atticus Finch, played by Gregory Peck, from "To Kill a Mockingbird" had been ranked number one good-guy. This week, good-guy Gregory Peck entered the green room in the sky. He was 87.
Mr. Peck was an actor. He never pretended to be anything else. Once, someone proposed that he run for office, "like a liberal Ronald Reagan." Mr. Peck declined saying, "An actor should stick to acting." Perhaps if Mr. Reagan had been a better Thespian, he might have stayed in that more benign profession.
However, Mr. Peck garnered the title of humantarian as well as movie star. Raising money for worthy causes, or as he put it "doing what was right," took up much of his free time. Regardless of "The Method" and its teachings, no actor can portray a character realistically without putting something of himself into the role. That was why Mr. Peck's weakness was playing roles like Josef Mengele in "Boys from Brazil." And why Atticus Finch was such a believable character. He did what was right.
The current generation of actors lack what Mr. Peck had in spades -- class. Perhaps the only screen star who could hold a candle to him would be Tom Hanks, and Mr. Hanks is more of a Gary Cooper type, more an everyman than the man everyman would like to be.
And it is with some jealousy that one watches "Roman Holiday." A fabulous residence in a city like Rome, with Audrey Hepburn as a companion. With everyman in the role, it is unbelievable, but with Mr. Peck playing the part, it is enthralling.