THE WESTERN GREGORY PECK

Raised: Born in La Jolla, California he spent the majority of his life around San Diego. While at the University of California in Berkly, he was introduced to the theatre and became interested in acting.

Western Awards: In 1979, he was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. There are also a few awards given in years that coincide with westerns he was in. These awards were given through organizations like the Golden Apples Awards, Golden Globes Awards and the Laurel Awards.

Interesting Western Fact: Due to his large build, he would do most of his own stunts, including fight scenes, without a stunt double. In Yellow Sky (1948), however, he fell from his horse and broke his ankle in three places.

My Favorite Western: The Big Country (1958). This is an interesting western. Contrary to all past movies on the west, this story centers around a so-called city slicker. He is the one to change the fate of the land and he does it with a courage no one has ever seen before.

James McKay: There's some things a man has to prove to himself alone... not to anyone else.
Patricia Terrill: Not even to the woman he loves.
James McKay: Least of all her... if she loves him.

Not all of Peck's westerns are classics, but a couple of them are good enough to title him as a western actor. At one point in his career he decided to star in films that meant something to him. That should say something about the westerns he did in later on. His character was usually heroic and peaceful with a large stature. He moved slowly and always looked like he was thinking about something.

Commentary of The Big Country.

Scene from The Gunfighter (1950)