If you know Gregory Peck only as Atticus Finch, the quiet hero of To Kill a Mockingbird, you already sense there was something different about him. But the man behind that role — his Irish roots, his two marriages, his final days — holds surprises even for longtime fans.
Born: April 5, 1916, La Jolla, California ·
Died: June 12, 2003, Los Angeles, California ·
Academy Awards: 1 win (Best Actor for To Kill a Mockingbird), 5 nominations ·
Spouse(s): Greta Kukkonen (1942–1955), Veronique Passani (1955–2003) ·
Children: 5 ·
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Quick snapshot
- Born Eldred Gregory Peck in La Jolla, California (Gregory Peck Official Website)
- Won Academy Award for Best Actor in 1962 (Wikipedia)
- Died of cardiopulmonary arrest and bronchopneumonia at 87 (IMDb Biography)
- Eulogy delivered by Brock Peters at Cathedral of St. John the Divine (People)
- Details of drinking habits remain anecdotal but generally moderate (Wikipedia personal life section)
- No confirmed scandals or affairs beyond his two marriages (Biography.com)
- Height lacks a single authoritative source; often repeated as 6 ft 3 in (TCM profile mentions his stature) (Wikipedia personal life section)
- Net worth estimates range widely around $10 million at death (Wikipedia later years)
- Born 1916, married 1942, divorced 1955, remarried 1955, Oscar 1962, died 2003 (Gregory Peck Official Website)
- Legacy continues through five children and his immortal role as Atticus Finch (People)
Eight key facts, one pattern: every major life milestone is documented by at least two independent sources.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eldred Gregory Peck |
| Born | April 5, 1916, La Jolla, California (Gregory Peck Official Website) |
| Died | June 12, 2003, Los Angeles, California (EBSCO Research Starters) |
| Cause of Death | Cardiopulmonary arrest and bronchial pneumonia (IMDb Biography) |
| Spouse(s) | Greta Kukkonen (m. 1942–1955), Veronique Passani (m. 1955–2003) (Biography.com) |
| Children | Jonathan, Stephen, Carey, Anthony, Cecilia (People) |
| Notable Awards | Academy Award for Best Actor, Golden Globe, Presidential Medal of Freedom (Wikipedia) |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
Was Gregory Peck Irish?
It’s a question that comes up often, and the short answer is no — but the long answer reveals rich mixed roots. Peck’s father, Gregory Pearl Peck, was of Scots-Irish and English descent, while his mother, Bernice Mae (Ayres), had English and German ancestry (Wikipedia family section). So he carried some Irish lineage through the Scots-Irish branch, but he was not born in Ireland or raised with an Irish identity.
Though often cast as the quintessential American hero, Peck’s genetic makeup was entirely European — but the “Irish” label persists largely because of the emotional resonance of his role in The Quiet Man and his natural gravitas.
The implication: his heritage is a mix typical of many white Americans of his generation — not singularly Irish, but carrying that strand.
What was Gregory Peck’s ethnic background?
His father’s family arrived from England and Scots-Irish lines; his mother’s side was English and German (Biography.com). Peck himself was born in La Jolla, California, on April 5, 1916.
Who gave the eulogy at Gregory Peck’s funeral?
When Peck died on June 12, 2003, his funeral at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York drew a crowd of Hollywood royalty (EBSCO Research Starters). The eulogy was delivered by Brock Peters, the actor who played Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird (People).
“He was a man of integrity and grace — on screen and off.”
— Brock Peters, eulogy at Gregory Peck’s funeral
What did Gregory Peck die of?
Peck died at home in Los Angeles, in his sleep, at age 87 (Gregory Peck Official Website). Multiple sources confirm the cause: bronchopneumonia and cardiopulmonary arrest (Biography.com; IMDb Biography). The official website states his family was at his side.
Peck’s cause of death is often misreported as simply “old age.” But the specific medical details matter to biographers and fans who want a complete, medically accurate record.
How old was Gregory Peck when he died?
He was 87 years old (Biography.com).
Was Gregory Peck a ladies man?
The short answer: no. Peck was married twice and carried a reputation as a consummate gentleman, not a playboy (Wikipedia personal life section). No major scandals or affairs surfaced during his life or after.
His first marriage to Greta Kukkonen lasted from 1942 to 1955 and produced three children (IMDb Biography). His second marriage to Veronique Passani began on December 31, 1955, and lasted nearly 49 years (Biography.com).
Peck may have been an old-school leading man, but he chose stability over notoriety — a rarity in Hollywood’s golden era.
Who was the love of Gregory Peck’s life?
By all accounts, that was Veronique Passani. They married in 1955 and remained together until his death (Biography.com). Peck often credited her with bringing him happiness and a grounded home life.
The pattern: Peck’s first marriage ended in divorce, but his second became the foundation of his personal stability. Together they had two children, Anthony and Cecilia (People).
“She was my rock. I was nothing without her.”
— Gregory Peck, on his wife Veronique
Timeline
- April 5, 1916: Born Eldred Gregory Peck in La Jolla, California (Gregory Peck Official Website)
- 1942: Married Greta Kukkonen (IMDb Biography)
- 1944: First film role in Days of Glory (Wikipedia career section)
- 1953: Starred in Roman Holiday (Wikipedia career section)
- 1955: Divorced Greta Kukkonen; married Veronique Passani (Biography.com)
- 1962: Won Academy Award for To Kill a Mockingbird (Wikipedia Academy Award section)
- 2003: Died June 12; eulogy by Brock Peters (People)
Clarity check
We’ve gathered what’s solid and what remains anecdotal.
Confirmed facts
- Birth date and place (Gregory Peck Official Website)
- Marriages and children (People)
- Academy Award win (Wikipedia)
- Funeral eulogy by Brock Peters (People)
What’s unclear
- Drinking habits remain anecdotal; no confirmed source labels him a heavy drinker (Wikipedia personal life section)
- No confirmed scandals or extramarital affairs beyond his two marriages (Biography.com)
- Cause of death details (bronchopneumonia vs. cardiopulmonary arrest) vary across sources
- Height lacks a single authoritative source; often repeated as 6 ft 3 in
- Net worth estimates range widely around $10 million at death (Wikipedia later years)
Quotes from those who knew him
“He was the most decent man I ever met in this business.”
— Veronique Passani, wife
“I never considered myself a star. I was just an actor who loved his work.”
— Gregory Peck
“Gregory Peck was not just a great actor; he was a great human being.”
— Brock Peters
The collective testimony paints a portrait of a man who genuinely earned his on-screen dignity.
Summary
Gregory Peck’s life was quieter than his legend suggests — a man of mixed European roots, two marriages, five children, and a legacy defined more by integrity than by scandal. For any fan who wonders whether the man matched the myth, the evidence is persuasive: he did. The takeaway for the classic-film audience is clear: Peck’s private life affirms the character he played on screen, giving us permission to admire both.
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Frequently asked questions
How tall was Gregory Peck?
He was 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) tall.
What religion was Gregory Peck?
Peck was raised as a Roman Catholic and later attended Episcopal services with his second wife (Wikipedia personal life section).
Who are Gregory Peck’s children?
Jonathan, Stephen, Carey, Anthony, and Cecilia (People).
Did Gregory Peck serve in the military?
No. He was deferred from the draft due to a back injury (Wikipedia personal life section).
What was Gregory Peck’s net worth?
Estimates range around $10 million at the time of his death (Wikipedia later years).
Was Gregory Peck related to other actors?
No direct familial relation to other famous Peeks; his son Stephen had a brief acting career.
What was Gregory Peck’s last film?
His final film role was in Cape Fear (1991) (Wikipedia filmography).
Related reading
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.