Mojo
2005-08-23 22:33:30 UTC
'To Kill a Mockingbird' Actor Peters Dies
By GARY GENTILE, Associated Press Writer1 hour, 30 minutes ago
Actor Brock Peters, best known for his heartbreaking performance as the
black man falsely accused of rape in "To Kill a Mockingbird," died Tuesday
at his home after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 78.
Peters was diagnosed with the disease in January and had been receiving
chemotherapy treatment, according to Marilyn Darby, his longtime companion.
His condition became worse in recent weeks.
He died peacefully in bed, surrounded by family, she said.
Peters was born George Fisher on July 2, 1927 in New York. His long film
career began in the 1950s with the landmark productions of "Carmen Jones" in
1954 and "Porgy and Bess" in 1959.
In recent years, he played Admiral Cartwright in two of the "Star Trek"
feature films. He also appeared in numerous TV shows. His distinctive deep
bass voice was often used for animated characters.
He was perhaps best known for portraying accused rapist Tom Robinson,
defended by Gregory Peck's Atticus Finch in the 1962 film "To Kill a
Mockingbird."
Peters paid tribute to Peck after he died in 2003.
"In art there is compassion, in compassion there is humanity, with humanity
there is generosity and love," Peters said. "Gregory Peck gave us these
attributes in full measure."
Peters recounted how shortly before he was to start filming, he was awakened
early on a Sunday morning by a phone call from Peck to welcome him to the
production. He was so surprised, he recalled, that he dropped the telephone.
"I worked over the years in many, many productions, but no one ever again
called me to welcome me aboard, except perhaps the director and the
producer, but not my fellow actor-to-be."
In May, Peters was on hand as Harper Lee, the reclusive author of "To Kill a
Mockingbird," made a rare step into the limelight to be honored by the Los
Angeles Public Library.
In "Carmen Jones," Peters worked with Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte.
Otto Preminger's production of "Porgy" starred Sidney Poitier and Dandridge,
and featured Sammy Davis Jr., Pearl Bailey and Diahann Carroll as well as
Peters.
Among Peters' other films were "Soylent Green," "The L-Shaped Room" and "The
Pawnbroker."
His accolades include a National Film Society Award, a Life Achievement
Award from the Screen Actors Guild, and a Tony Award nomination for his
performance on Broadway in "Lost in the Stars."
In a 1985 story by The Associated Press on blacks in the movies, Peters said
there had been a string of recent hits involving blacks, but "I have been
here a long time, and I have seen this cycle happen before. I'll wait awhile
and see if this flurry of activity leads to anything permanent."
Peters was a widow and has one daughter, Lise Jo Peters.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050823/ap_en_tv/obit_brock_peters&printer=1;_ylt=AneJN4mTedziLwln3jMQovG2GL8C;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MXN1bHE0BHNlYwN0bWE-
By GARY GENTILE, Associated Press Writer1 hour, 30 minutes ago
Actor Brock Peters, best known for his heartbreaking performance as the
black man falsely accused of rape in "To Kill a Mockingbird," died Tuesday
at his home after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 78.
Peters was diagnosed with the disease in January and had been receiving
chemotherapy treatment, according to Marilyn Darby, his longtime companion.
His condition became worse in recent weeks.
He died peacefully in bed, surrounded by family, she said.
Peters was born George Fisher on July 2, 1927 in New York. His long film
career began in the 1950s with the landmark productions of "Carmen Jones" in
1954 and "Porgy and Bess" in 1959.
In recent years, he played Admiral Cartwright in two of the "Star Trek"
feature films. He also appeared in numerous TV shows. His distinctive deep
bass voice was often used for animated characters.
He was perhaps best known for portraying accused rapist Tom Robinson,
defended by Gregory Peck's Atticus Finch in the 1962 film "To Kill a
Mockingbird."
Peters paid tribute to Peck after he died in 2003.
"In art there is compassion, in compassion there is humanity, with humanity
there is generosity and love," Peters said. "Gregory Peck gave us these
attributes in full measure."
Peters recounted how shortly before he was to start filming, he was awakened
early on a Sunday morning by a phone call from Peck to welcome him to the
production. He was so surprised, he recalled, that he dropped the telephone.
"I worked over the years in many, many productions, but no one ever again
called me to welcome me aboard, except perhaps the director and the
producer, but not my fellow actor-to-be."
In May, Peters was on hand as Harper Lee, the reclusive author of "To Kill a
Mockingbird," made a rare step into the limelight to be honored by the Los
Angeles Public Library.
In "Carmen Jones," Peters worked with Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte.
Otto Preminger's production of "Porgy" starred Sidney Poitier and Dandridge,
and featured Sammy Davis Jr., Pearl Bailey and Diahann Carroll as well as
Peters.
Among Peters' other films were "Soylent Green," "The L-Shaped Room" and "The
Pawnbroker."
His accolades include a National Film Society Award, a Life Achievement
Award from the Screen Actors Guild, and a Tony Award nomination for his
performance on Broadway in "Lost in the Stars."
In a 1985 story by The Associated Press on blacks in the movies, Peters said
there had been a string of recent hits involving blacks, but "I have been
here a long time, and I have seen this cycle happen before. I'll wait awhile
and see if this flurry of activity leads to anything permanent."
Peters was a widow and has one daughter, Lise Jo Peters.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050823/ap_en_tv/obit_brock_peters&printer=1;_ylt=AneJN4mTedziLwln3jMQovG2GL8C;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MXN1bHE0BHNlYwN0bWE-