Handsome and elegant George Peppard occasionally displayed considerable talent through his career, but was too often cast in undemanding action roles. Following Broadway and television experience, he made a strong film debut in _The Strange One . George Peppard died at age 65 of pneumonia on May 8, 1994 in Los Angeles, California. He is buried alongside his parents in Northview Cemetary in Dearborn, Michigan.
Enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at age 17.
Born to George Peppard Sr., a building contractor, and his wife Vernelle Rohrer, an opera singer.
Father, with Elizabeth Ashley , of son Christian Peppard , who is a writer.
Had a cancerous tumor removed from lung, so he quit smoking after many years.
Born at 8:29 pm EST.
Attended Purdue University and Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.
His widow, Laura Taylor Peppard, was a banker in West Palm Beach, Florida when they met.
In 1978, he conquered a serious drinking problem.
Studied at the famed Actors Studio, with reknown acting coach, Lee Strasberg. One of his classmates was Rip Torn
Spent much of the latter years of his life helping alcoholics and working for various charitable organizations.
Told the media how relieved he was shortly after "The A-Team" ended in 1986 because he likened the megahit series to "an out-of-control freight train that would never stop!".
Was originally chosen to play Blake Carrington on the television series "Dynasty" , but was fired from the role after disagreements with the series producers.
Graduated from Dearborn High School in Dearborn, Michigan.
Member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity at Purdue University.
He was in the running to replace Pete Duel as Hannibal Heyes in "Alias Smith and Jones" .
He was the original choice for Steve McQueen s role in The Magnificent Seven .
Was a passionate Democrat, and championed health care reform before his death.
While attending Drama School at Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon University) in Pittsburgh, George had a weekend job at WLOA Radio in nearby Braddock. WLOA is where his famous "flow snurries" story came from - a story that he told hundreds of times over the years on various TV talk shows.
Made an infamous appearance on "Password Plus" , expressing dissatisfaction with NBC executives watching them "as if youre some sort of crook".
Buried in Northview Cemetery in Dearborn, Michigan.
Father of Brad Peppard, Julie Peppard and Christian Peppard.
His widow, Laura Taylor Peppard, is a licensed Mental Health Counselor, who maintains a practice in Lake Worth, Florida.
Was originally cast as Blake Carrington on "Dynasty" . During the shooting of the pilot episode, he reportedly clashed with the producers over the characterization of Blake Carrington. Peppard argued that the character was too similar to J.R. Ewing of "Dallas" . Peppard was fired after three weeks of shooting. The role was recast with John Forsythe and all the scenes with Peppard were reshot.
It was announced that he was to star in MGMs "Merrily We Roll Along", based on the Broadway stage hit and due to film on June 1965, with George Seaton as the director.
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6675 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on July 17, 1985.
Georges last acting role was as Max Morgan on a March 1994 episode of "Matlock" . This whodunnit pilot episode for a proposed spin-off series co-starred Tracy Nelson as his one-time estranged daughter Jesse, with "Matlock" star Andy Griffith appearing only briefly in the beginning of the episode. Sadly, George died of pneumonia that May, less than two months later, before the planned series could start filming.
Smoked three packs of cigarettes a day.
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