Gregory Peck (1916-2003)

For most of the Library Foundation's first decade, one of our most ardent supporters and favorite friends was Gregory Peck. While the world knew him as one of the greatest actors of all time, we knew him as a man committed to reading and learning.

Mr. Peck's love of books brought him to the Los Angeles Public Library in 1994. His passion for reading aloud the words of authors, playwrights, and poets inspired him to create a series of programs that would bring to the Central Library some of the finest actors of our time.

His involvement expanded well beyond the Gregory Peck Reading Series. He was the first recipient of our Light of Learning Award, served as an honorary director of the Foundation, hosted several fundraising events, and spoke out as an advocate of the 1998 Library Bond. In 1999, when we created the Gregory Peck Literary Endowment in his honor to provide for future educational and literary programs, he made a generous personal gift to help ensure its success.

But, his first love was the reading series, and while there are many, many devoted fans, no one was more enthusiastic about the readings than Mr. Peck himself. He was the one who made the calls to the actors, asking them to read. He served as host, providing introductions to the evening's program. He insisted that the actors select their own material, preferring the programs to reflect their interests, not his. He directed Friday afternoon rehearsals, and when he was unable to attend a reading, asked members of his family to stand in for him.

Gregory Peck was a dear friend. His legacy lives on through the endowment and the dedication of his wife, Veronique, and his children who remain committed to continuing his work -- including the Gregory Peck Reading Series -- on behalf of the Los Angeles Public Library.

 
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A few of the many friends Mr. Peck brought to our Library:

With Jack Lemmon
 

With Morgan Freeman and Anjelica Huston
 

The Redgraves pay homage to their host. To Mr. Peck's right is Vanessa, to his left, Lynn. In the immediate background is Lynn and Vanessa's mother, Dame Rachel Kempson.
 

With Norman Lloyd
 

With Brock Peters, his co-star in "To Kill a Mockingbird"
 

Beau Bridges reads a selection from "Acting: The First Six Lessons" to Mr. Peck and Shelley Long.
 

With (l) Billy Bob Thornton and (r) Bruce Dern