SNIPPET: Gregory PECK (b. 1916) originally wanted a career in medicine, but eventually found himself drawn to the theater. Born in La Jolla, CA, to a mother from Co. Kerry, he moved to NY in the early 1940s. He won a role in "The Morning Star" (1942) and received favorable reviews. More stage productions followed until his first film roles in "Days of Glory" (1943) and "The Keys of the Kingdom" (1944). In these and subsequent films, such as "Spellbound" (1945), "Duel in the Sun" (1946), "The Yearling" (1946), "Gentleman's Agreement" (1947), and "Twelve O'Clock High" (1949), Peck gained a reputation as a skilled and conscientious actor. He won an Oscar for Best Actor for his fine performance as the compassionate Southern lawyer in "To Kill a Mockingbird" (1962). It was during the filming of "Moby Dick" (1956) in Ireland that Peck developed a lifelong affection for the country.