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Gregory Peck: A Charmed Life
His first screen test was a disaster, his features were large and irregular, his left ear outsized the right, yet he would one day be headlined as the Most Handsome Man in the World. And most of his leading ladies—among them, Ingrid Bergman, Jennifer Jones, Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, and Ava Gardner—would not disagree. Irreverent, candid, refreshingly honest, Lynn Haney's carefully researched biography not only charts the remarkable career of the Oscar-winning star but also plumbs Peck's frequently troubling complexity in his off-screen roles as husband, father, lover, and son. About the tough times, Haney minces no words; but the misfortunes by no means eclipse the energy, intensity, and excitement that characterized Peck's five decades of moviemaking. This is a book filled with telling photographs, and a story cast with movie moguls from Louis B. Mayer to Darryl Zanuck, with directors from Hitchcock and Walsh to Huston and Wyler, with nearly every major luminary in Hollywood, and, starring for the first time in toto, Gregory Peck.
496 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 9, 2008
I love me some Gregory Peck! I've always admired him as an actor (especially since he was the male lead in the movie that first opened my world to the wonders of "classics", Roman Holiday), and from what I've read of how others perceived him, I had always thought he was a class-act kind of a guy.
I was pleased to see that, at least as he was represented in this novel, my perceptions of him were true. And, he grew up in my home town, which, I won't lie, made me giggle a little.
I was pleased to see that, at least as he was represented in this novel, my perceptions of him were true. And, he grew up in my home town, which, I won't lie, made me giggle a little.
January 4, 2023
Enjoyed reading about Peck's life and work. Seemed like he was a good man, a fine and dedicated actor though his life wasn't quite what I would call "charmed" as he had a difficult childhood and had to deal with the tragic death of his first born son by suicide. He was considered a heart throb, though, I never thought he was as handsome as others such as Paul Newman. But what a voice! And I don't think anyone can think of a better actor to have portrayed the great Atticus Finch. I also was not aware how ahead of his time he was with all his liberal causes.
I would have liked this book better if the author were a better writer. Lot's of repetition and even some fact errors. Should have had a better editor and proofreader.
I would have liked this book better if the author were a better writer. Lot's of repetition and even some fact errors. Should have had a better editor and proofreader.
May 23, 2014
Gregory Peck occupied a unique position as an actor and American icon. Many critics thought he was stiff and unconvincing yet he played such classic roles as Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird (for which he won an Oscar) and other classics like Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn, John Huston's Moby Dick, The Guns Of Navarone, Hitchcock's Spellbound, Duel In The Sun, Horatio Hornblower, The Snows Of Kilimanjaro, The Man In The Grey Flannel Suit, Twelve O'Clock High, The Paradine Case, Gentleman's Agreement, The Big Country, The Stalking Moon, Cape Fear, Arabesque, Old Gringo, The Omen, and even The Boys From Brazil. He was a very private, yet apparently down-to-earth person, who was very Liberal (even for Hollywood) and outspoken about causes he believed in. He championed anti-nuclear causes, The National Endowment For The Arts, gay rights, gun control, support for homeless veterans and many others long before they were fashionable. While he played Hollywood politics, he was always his own man, never signing an exclusive contract with any one studio, fighting to have more control of the pictures he made, and living much of his life abroad in France for six months of the year. He had many crises, which would have sunk other careers: marital problems, battles with the bottle, the suicide of a son, yet he kept working and improving his craft until he became many people's notion of an American actor as well as an honest, upright citizen.
Haney tackles the whole life, private and public, in the most detailed biography yet written on the subject. It's critical as well as sympathetic but always trying for the truth. There's a few glitches (a mislabeled photo credit where she identifies Adrian Pasdar as Adrian Passer), some other misspellings that make it into the final copy, and some odd opinions (that nobody remembers Greer Garson today???) but, on the whole, its probably as close as anyone's going to get to the familiar yet mysterious icon that was Gregory Peck. A good solid attempt. - BH.
Haney tackles the whole life, private and public, in the most detailed biography yet written on the subject. It's critical as well as sympathetic but always trying for the truth. There's a few glitches (a mislabeled photo credit where she identifies Adrian Pasdar as Adrian Passer), some other misspellings that make it into the final copy, and some odd opinions (that nobody remembers Greer Garson today???) but, on the whole, its probably as close as anyone's going to get to the familiar yet mysterious icon that was Gregory Peck. A good solid attempt. - BH.
February 16, 2017
I went to great lengths to find this book owing to it being out of print, and it definitely didn't disappoint. I would consider myself a Gregory Peck super fan, but there was so much in this that I hadn't known. I really loved reading this - from his first girlfriend to the story of how he died (I cried) - and it's a definite must read for any Gregory Peck fan!
March 1, 2019
Probably the very best of the leading men who came to the forefront during the World War II years
when many were in military service, Gregory Peck's film career gradually slowed down during the
80s due to age and infirmity.
Some facts to learn about Gregory Peck. First a product of divorced parents he was a serious Catholic
his whole life and a great believer in the modernizing influence that John XXIII had on his church. He
went to a Catholic military academy, but a love of the theater overtook him.
Throughout the late 30s into the 40s Peck was like any other struggling young actor. He was lucky
enough to get super agent Leland Heyward who got him his first film break as an unknown cast in
the lead in an RKO film Days Of Glory about the Russian front. The film was a bust, but it got Peck
exposure and his next film The Keys Of The Kingdom where he played a priest got him the first of
five Oscar nominations. It's a phenomenal film and Peck is brilliant.
Peck injured his back in of all places a dance class given by Martha Graham while he was a struggling young actor as he sought to broaden his talents. It gave him a legitimate 4F and kept
him from military service. Given his military school background he probably would have gotten
a commission. What I found funny was Leland Hayward's concern that the source of the injury
be kept secret because you know what kind of people are into classic dancing.
Four of his nominations for Best Actor came in the 40s. Besides The Keys Of The Kingdom Peck was up for The Yearling in 1945, Gentlemen's Agreement in 1947, and Twelve O'Clock High in 1949.
He led a scandal free life. Even his divorce from first wife Greta in the 50s was kept out of the
tabloids. His marriage to Veronique Passani was a happy one. He had 3 boys from the first
marriage and a boy and girl from the second. In fact he became a kind of father confessor to a lot
of his colleagues.
Gregory Peck was in so many films that I like and have become classics. Think about it, he had
very few turkeys in his career. Even in bad films he was always good.
The height of his career is of course To Kill A Mockingbird. He was so perfect, so right as Atticus
Finch the single parent widower father raising two kids in an Alabama town in the 30s. That's the
one that got him the Oscar for Best Actor in 1962.
He slowed up in the 80s taking fewer and fewer roles. One he was very proud of was that he got to
play Abraham Lincoln in the TV mini-series The Blue And The Gray. He was a devoted Lincoln
admirer his whole life.
His last part was as Father Mapple in 1998 in a made for TV version of Moby Dick. Back in 1956
Peck had starred as Captain Ahab in a feature film directed by John Huston. It got a so so reception
and I always liked it, but Peck felt he should have done it when he was older. After that his back
didn't permit any more work.
Gradually over decades the back crippled him. He died in 2003 at the age of 87. A remaining pillar
of old Hollywood. To me Gregory Peck always represented class on the screen and off.
when many were in military service, Gregory Peck's film career gradually slowed down during the
80s due to age and infirmity.
Some facts to learn about Gregory Peck. First a product of divorced parents he was a serious Catholic
his whole life and a great believer in the modernizing influence that John XXIII had on his church. He
went to a Catholic military academy, but a love of the theater overtook him.
Throughout the late 30s into the 40s Peck was like any other struggling young actor. He was lucky
enough to get super agent Leland Heyward who got him his first film break as an unknown cast in
the lead in an RKO film Days Of Glory about the Russian front. The film was a bust, but it got Peck
exposure and his next film The Keys Of The Kingdom where he played a priest got him the first of
five Oscar nominations. It's a phenomenal film and Peck is brilliant.
Peck injured his back in of all places a dance class given by Martha Graham while he was a struggling young actor as he sought to broaden his talents. It gave him a legitimate 4F and kept
him from military service. Given his military school background he probably would have gotten
a commission. What I found funny was Leland Hayward's concern that the source of the injury
be kept secret because you know what kind of people are into classic dancing.
Four of his nominations for Best Actor came in the 40s. Besides The Keys Of The Kingdom Peck was up for The Yearling in 1945, Gentlemen's Agreement in 1947, and Twelve O'Clock High in 1949.
He led a scandal free life. Even his divorce from first wife Greta in the 50s was kept out of the
tabloids. His marriage to Veronique Passani was a happy one. He had 3 boys from the first
marriage and a boy and girl from the second. In fact he became a kind of father confessor to a lot
of his colleagues.
Gregory Peck was in so many films that I like and have become classics. Think about it, he had
very few turkeys in his career. Even in bad films he was always good.
The height of his career is of course To Kill A Mockingbird. He was so perfect, so right as Atticus
Finch the single parent widower father raising two kids in an Alabama town in the 30s. That's the
one that got him the Oscar for Best Actor in 1962.
He slowed up in the 80s taking fewer and fewer roles. One he was very proud of was that he got to
play Abraham Lincoln in the TV mini-series The Blue And The Gray. He was a devoted Lincoln
admirer his whole life.
His last part was as Father Mapple in 1998 in a made for TV version of Moby Dick. Back in 1956
Peck had starred as Captain Ahab in a feature film directed by John Huston. It got a so so reception
and I always liked it, but Peck felt he should have done it when he was older. After that his back
didn't permit any more work.
Gradually over decades the back crippled him. He died in 2003 at the age of 87. A remaining pillar
of old Hollywood. To me Gregory Peck always represented class on the screen and off.
August 22, 2025
I have mixed feelings because on the one hand after finishing this I felt that I learned a lot more about Gregory Peck as well as his movies than before I read it.
On the other hand there were a few things that annoyed me.
At times I found the writing to be lacking and occasionally all over the place and I personally would have enjoyed more about the making of his movies.
The biggest thing to annoy me though was anytime somebody new was introduced such as a co-star or director on one of movies the author would segue into their life story which I can sort of understand the reasoning behind doing so, but after awhile it became distracting and annoying because I picked this up to read about Gregory Peck specifically. Not to read the personal histories of every single person he ever interacted with.
On the other hand there were a few things that annoyed me.
At times I found the writing to be lacking and occasionally all over the place and I personally would have enjoyed more about the making of his movies.
The biggest thing to annoy me though was anytime somebody new was introduced such as a co-star or director on one of movies the author would segue into their life story which I can sort of understand the reasoning behind doing so, but after awhile it became distracting and annoying because I picked this up to read about Gregory Peck specifically. Not to read the personal histories of every single person he ever interacted with.
October 1, 2025
Gregory Peck
Overall a good account of his life and career. Although Peck seems to be an overall good guy in Hollywood. I feel this book may overlook incidents of his not so gentlemanly behavior. Some of his early womanizing, bad behavior caused by drinking or Diva like behavior that his ego might have caused. If these incidents do exist, they might have humanized him a little more. He seems a complicated man and comes off a little pompous sometimes. Still even though he seemed to have a limited acting range, I do think he has a place among the great stars of Hollywood
Overall a good account of his life and career. Although Peck seems to be an overall good guy in Hollywood. I feel this book may overlook incidents of his not so gentlemanly behavior. Some of his early womanizing, bad behavior caused by drinking or Diva like behavior that his ego might have caused. If these incidents do exist, they might have humanized him a little more. He seems a complicated man and comes off a little pompous sometimes. Still even though he seemed to have a limited acting range, I do think he has a place among the great stars of Hollywood
September 18, 2024
I found the contents of this book very interesting and well-researched. I thought the author painted a balanced, honest view of Peck. However, the text was not as well-written as I would have liked. The sentences were sometimes awkwardly written, with misplaced commas. In addition, the author's political beliefs were quite obvious, which distracted from the narration about Peck. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book about one of my favorite actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood!
November 27, 2023
An amazing talent, however one dimensional in the extremes of "types" he could play. Although the subtitle is "A Charmed Life" one could interpret that phrase as being ironic, even sarcastic. The trials, though not multitudinous, were significant in their impact.
April 26, 2025
Oh, I loved this book. I am a fan of Gregory Peck and thoroughly enjoyed reading this biography. The author reveals to the reader the incredible life of Gregory Peck, along with the actors, producers, executives, and friends.
if you love the movies, you will certainly enjoy this book.
if you love the movies, you will certainly enjoy this book.
July 16, 2019
Excellent! Well researched, well written & very thorough telling of life of a remarkable & admirable man.
November 6, 2021
One of my favorite actors--I liked that he usually played the part of a good guy. The book was better than another one I read--more details.
October 21, 2025
Very good read.
September 26, 2009
The book contains interesting minutia such as Peck considered becoming a priest as a youth and one of his friends late in life was Michael Jackson. Haney dwells too much on rabbit trails such as Lyndon B. Johnson's policies and the potential factors in the suicide of Peck's son Jonathan. Still, the book gives insights into what made Peck an effective actor and a complex person. In many ways, his signature role as Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird" defined him for the last 40-plus years of his life. Haney annoyingly refers to Peck as the overly familiar "Greg" throughout. Disturbingly, the book is drawn virtually entirely from other books and magazine articles. There's no indication of any first-person interviews.
February 7, 2017
love the book very easy to read , and lots of quotes about others Hollywood actors.
and i learn he was a big fan of Lincoln like me . he have 1000 books about him .
well done .
and i learn he was a big fan of Lincoln like me . he have 1000 books about him .
well done .
December 19, 2013
Extremely well written (save for the fact that the author insists on calling her subject 'Greg' throughout) and well researched biography about Gregory Peck. It's respectful and warm, but well balanced too, with lots of information about Peck's films. Highly recommended for any fans!
May 6, 2015
Made it halfway and finally had to give it up. Too much was discussed about other people and dragged on. :( I wanted to know about Gregory Peck, not the myriad of other people on the sidelines of his life.
March 18, 2009
A bit thin, but still enlightening.
July 20, 2010
Love the topic, just not the writing.
December 15, 2010
Interesting read on a film icon's life.
October 31, 2013
Good Biography on a great actor!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews