Happy Birthday, Gregory Peck

Academy Award winner Gregory Peck was born April 5, 1916. One of the most popular leading men in Hollywood, Peck's career extended from the 1940s until the 1990s. Of course, he may be best known for his Oscar-winning turn as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird - the character named as the greatest movie hero of all time by the American Film Institute. Peck turned in memorable performances in comedies, dramas, and thrillers; his diverse filmography includes Gentleman's Agreement (1947) - a biting expose of anti-Semitism in America; Roman Holiday (1953), the romantic comedy with Peck as a reporter and Audrey Hepburn as a princess; Cape Fear (1962) as a lawyer protecting his family from a vengeful convict; and The Omen (1976) as a man who discovers his son is the antichrist. Gregory Peck made five appearances on Suspense; we heard two of them ("The Lonely Road" and "Murder Through the Looking Glass") back on Episode 8 of the podcast. Here are the rest of his visits to "radio's outstanding theater of thrills." "Hitch-Hike Poker" - Gregory Peck plays a hitchhiker picked up by a seemingly friendly driver (Ed Begley). It's a ride he should have refused. (September 23, 1948) "Nightmare" - A powerful story with an amazing Peck performance, "Nightmare" follows a man's quest for revenge after a drunk driver hits and kills his young son. (September 1, 1949) "The Truth About Jerry Baxter" - Gregory Peck stars in a "ripped from the headlines" story - a show that shines a spotlight on teenage drug addiction. (June 14, 1951)