It is often said that success in the entertainment industry is easier to achieve if one has a family member who is already established in the field. This seems to be the case for Ethan Peck, the grandson of the legendary actor Gregory Peck, who has not only inherited his grandfather’s talent but also his striking good looks.
Born in San Diego in 1916, Gregory Peck rose to become one of the most renowned actors of the Golden Age of Hollywood. He was ranked number 12 on the American Film Institute’s list of the Greatest Male Stars of Classic Hollywood cinema. Peck was not only a skilled actor, but also possessed a captivating appearance and a deep, resonant voice. He was also known for his impeccable choice of film roles.
Unlike many stars of today, Gregory Peck had a soul and exuded class. These qualities were evident in his work and made him stand out in the competitive world of Hollywood.
Peck began his career in theater and appeared in approximately 50 plays before making his silver screen debut in the war-romance film “Days of Glory” in 1944. However, it was his second film, “The Keys of the Kingdom,” that catapulted him to stardom. In this movie, Peck portrayed an 80-year-old Roman Catholic priest reflecting on his 50 years as a missionary in China. The film was a moving story of faith and love, and earned Peck a nomination for Best Actor at the Academy Awards.
He went on to work with the renowned director Alfred Hitchcock in ”Spellbound,” where he co-starred with the legendary Ingrid Bergman. Peck and Bergman had an instant chemistry, and despite both being married at the time, they engaged in a love affair off-screen. In a 1987 interview with People magazine, Peck indirectly confirmed the rumors, though he refused to divulge any details.
Peck and Hitchcock’s relationship was not the best, but they collaborated on another film, “The Paradine Case.” Despite Peck’s inexperience and need for direction, Hitchcock did not offer much guidance. In fact, the director was known to say things like, “I couldn’t care less what your character is thinking. Just let your face drain of all expression.” Despite Hitchcock’s opinion of Peck’s acting abilities, the San Diego native received five nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actor. He finally won the coveted Oscar for his role as Atticus Finch in the 1962 drama “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
“To Kill a Mockingbird” is perhaps Peck’s most well-known film, but he also appeared in other great movies such as “Moby Dick” (1956), “The Big Country” (1958), and “How the West Was Won” (1962).
In addition to his successful acting career, Peck was also known for his humanitarian work. In 1969, he was honored by President Lyndon B. Johnson with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his lifetime of philanthropic efforts.
Peck was married to Finnish-born Greta Kukkonen from 1942 to 1955, and they had three sons together: Jonathan, Stephen, and Carey Paul. After their divorce, Peck fell in love with news reporter Véronique Passani, whom he met while she was interviewing him before he left for Italy to film “Roman Holiday.” They had a son, Antony, and a daughter, Cecilia, together. Peck and Véronique remained together until his death in 2003.
Peck’s grandson, Ethan Gregory Peck, seems to have inherited his grandfather’s acting genes. Ethan’s father, Stephen Peck, is one of Gregory Peck’s three sons from his first marriage. Stephen is a veteran who served in Vietnam and has worked as President and CEO of U.S. VETS. Ethan was born in 1986 and made his acting debut at the age of nine in the film “Marshall Law,” where he played Jimmy Smits’ son.
Ethan also appeared on “That ’70s Show” as the younger version of Michael Kelso (played by Ashton Kutcher). He also starred in the movie “Passport to Paris” (1999) with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and “Tennessee” (2008) alongside Adam Rothenberg and Mariah Carey.
Aside from his acting talent, Ethan has also inherited his grandfather’s striking features. He has the same strong, dark eyebrows and captivating eyes that made Gregory Peck so irresistible. However, Ethan has stated that he did not have a particularly close relationship with his grandfather, who passed away when he was 17. He regrets not having had the opportunity to discuss acting with him.
In 2009, Ethan’s talent was recognized when he won the “Best Actor” award at the Sonoma International Film Festival for his role in “Adopt a Sailor.” He also played a significant role in the second season of “Star Trek: Discovery” and will reprise his role in the spin-off series “Star Trek: Strange New World” (2022).
Having such a famous grandfather can come with its challenges, but Ethan claims he does not feel the weight of his grandfather’s legacy. He credits his father for instilling in him the qualities that made Gregory Peck famous, and he does not act because of his grandfather’s influence.
Ethan Peck is undoubtedly a rising star in his own right, and we can expect to see more of him in the future. He has inherited his grandfather’s talent and good looks, but he is carving his own path in the entertainment industry.