George Peppard

Stars

Born Oct. 1, 1928 in Detroit, Mich.

Died May 8, 1994 of pneumonia in UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center, CA

George Peppard first achieved prominence opposite Audrey Hepburn in the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's" but was better known to modern audiences as the tough, cigar-chomping mercenary Hannibal Smith, leader of television's "The A-Team."

Known as difficult in his professional and personal life, the versatile actor suffered long periods of unemployment and four divorces, two from actress Elizabeth Ashley, whom he met while filming "The Carpetbaggers."

Although Peppard originally disparaged the small screen in favor of films, he achieved his widest success and perhaps greatest pleasure starring in three NBC television series — as the Polish American detective "Banacek" from 1972 to 1974, as a neurosurgeon on "Doctors' Hospital" from 1975 to 1976, and as the Vietnam veteran colonel on "The A-Team" from 1983 to 1987.

Peppard appeared in more than 25 films after making his debut in "The Strange One" in 1957. But his early ones were the best —"Pork Chop Hill" in 1959, "Home From the Hill" in 1960, his role as the writer supporting Hepburn's Holly Golightly in "Tiffany's" in 1961, "How the West Was Won" in 1962 and "The Carpetbaggers" in 1964. Although he appeared with the superstars — Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, James Stewart, John Wayne — he never became one himself.

Appearing on television opened up opportunities for other roles, including World War II British secret service agent in the 1990 television miniseries "Night of the Fox." He also returned to the stage, appearing in "Love Letters" in London and "The Lion in Winter" in West Palm Beach, Fla., where he met his fifth wife, Laura.

— Myrna Oliver in the Los Angeles Times May 10, 1994

Four thoughts about George Peppard

“

Met George Peppard a number of times. He often helped me with charity projects via signing play programs and such to be sent to various fan conventions around the world for charity auctions. Got to see the nicer side of him, as well as sometimes the testy side. Working on a biography on him.

One question that has annoyed me for years... why the heck did the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce NOT put out one of their splendiforous floral tributes that they always do for a fallen star? Went every day and night for a week after his passing, and not once was there anything there. The only thing was a single red rose I left every night, along with a RIP notice laid on the star.

The week before they put down a huge bouquet for druggy suicide Kurt Cobain, and a week later, another huge one was placed for a minor actor. This always seemed such a huge snub to me, and would love to know the rationale behind it. The man brought dollars into Hollywood, if nothing else, in the form of movie salaries, taxes he paid, and jobs created via his films and tv.

Really wish someone could explain this. If anyone can show me a photo of such a bouquet, I would be happy to see it. But saw nothing for a week, morning and evening.

Seemed supremely petty,

” — Rita Ractliffe, September 30, 2014 at 11:32 p.m.

Share a thought about George Peppard

Did you ever meet George Peppard? Share your memory.
Which other stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame have connections to George Peppard?
Are other places in the world important to George Peppard?
Does George Peppard deserve this star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?