Gregory Peck, born Eldred Gregory Peck on April 5, 1916, in La Jolla, California, was an iconic American actor whose career spanned over five decades. He was the son of Bernice Mae and Gregory Pearl Peck, a chemist and druggist. His parents divorced when he was five, and he was raised by his grandmother.

His early life was marked by a sense of instability, but he found solace in the movies, which he often attended with his grandmother. He initially studied pre-med at the University of California, Berkeley, but his passion for acting led him to the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, where he trained under Sanford Meisner.

His career began on the stage, but he quickly transitioned to film, making his debut in "Days of Glory" in 1944. His breakthrough came with "The Keys of the Kingdom" (1944), earning him his first Academy Award nomination. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, he starred in a series of successful films, including "Spellbound" (1945), "The Yearling" (1946), and "Gentleman's Agreement" (1947), which tackled the issue of anti-Semitism.

His portrayal of Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird" (1962) remains one of his most celebrated roles, earning him an Academy Award for Best Actor.

In his personal life, Gregory Peck was married twice. His first marriage was to Greta Kukkonen in 1942, with whom he had three sons. The couple divorced in 1955, and Peck later married Veronique Passani, a French journalist, with whom he had a son and a daughter.

His career was marked by numerous accolades. In addition to his Academy Award for "To Kill a Mockingbird," he received four other Oscar nominations for his performances in "The Keys of the Kingdom," "The Yearling," "Gentleman's Agreement," and "Twelve O'Clock High" (1949).

He also won a Golden Globe for "The Yearling" and was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969. His filmography includes other notable films such as "Roman Holiday" (1953), "Moby Dick" (1956), "The Guns of Navarone" (1961), "Cape Fear" (1962), and "The Omen" (1976).

His lifestyle reflected his commitment to his craft and his values. Gregory Peck passed away on June 12, 2003, in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind a legacy of cinematic excellence and a reputation as one of Hollywood's most respected actors.