Gregory Peck began his journey in life in 1916 with the name Eldred. Like a lot of people he used the name given to him by his parents until he moved away in his early 20′s. I don’t know what it is about those college years, but it seems to inspire more than just higher education, it can also be a time for some to shed youthful monikers. Mikey becomes Mike, Candy becomes Candace, etc.
Peck earned a BA in English from Berkely, headed off to New York city, and shed that childhood name. “I never liked the name Eldred. Since nobody knew me in New York, I just changed to my middle name,” said Peck.
A combination of talent, looks, and a good name (I had to throw that last one in), led him to one of the most successful acting careers in the US. With all the famous roles throughout the years, he still considered Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird his favorite. “Hardly a day passes that I don’t think how lucky I was to be cast in that film,” Peck said in 1997 . “I recently sat at a dinner next to a woman who saw it when she was 14 years old, and she said it changed her life. I hear things like that all the time.”
Peck died in 2003. Brock Peters who played Tom Robinson in the Mockingbird movie spoke about Peck at his funeral. He said that “Atticus Finch gave him [Peck] an opportunity to play himself.”
He had a career studded with accomplishments from Academy Awards to the National Medal of Arts. I like to believe his name was just one part of that successful career.
I adore To Kill a Mockingbird (both the book and the movie) and it was great to learn a little bit more about “Atticus” (another great name, I must say).
June 25, 2010
2:21 pm
I think it’s interesting that the title has the name of a bird and the main character’s last name is a bird as well.
July 1, 2010
8:09 am
My Mom loves this book! I like the name Eldred, it’s very different, don’t think I ever heard it before. I suppose Gregory is more common and masculine sounding. It suits him. But so does Eldred! Wasn’t there a Boo in the book? Now that is an interesting name…
June 25, 2010
6:22 pm
There were several interesting names in that book. Boo, Atticus Finch, Heck, etc.
July 1, 2010
8:08 am
I did love the book, but have never seen the movie! Now I feel like I must catch up, and man there are a lot of movies like that. Eldred reminds me of Mildred though, I’d go with Gregory also.
June 25, 2010
7:22 pm
Agreed! I think the switch to Gregory was a very wise move on his part.
July 1, 2010
8:06 am
One of my favorites…him and Jimmy Stewart!
June 25, 2010
9:59 pm
Absolutely! Two greats!
July 1, 2010
8:05 am
Ooh, he’s cute. Nice face (smile). Gregory’s a good name too, but, with that face, he could have been Eldred. I just like him…
Okay, I’m feeling goofy. I need get off line.
June 30, 2010
3:27 pm
I don’t know, Stella. There are an awful lot of good looking men around that don’t get academy awards. I have to think it must be the name. Of course, being a talented actor might be a part of that as well. Nahhh!
July 1, 2010
7:12 am