USPS Legends of Hollywood -- Gregory Peck

USPS on 28 April 2011 highlighted another American actor in their series Legends of Hollywood, in this particular case it was Gregory Peck (1916-2003). The 44 cent stamp was printed  by Avery Dennison using a multicoloured Photogravure method. A total of 40,000,000 stamps were printed. The first day cover postmark originated from Beverly Hills, California.

 Gregory Peck’s first film, "Days of Glory", was released in 1944. He received four Oscar nominations for Best Actor in the next five years before winning the award for his role as Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird." Released at the height of the civil rights movement in 1962, the film’s theme of justice and tolerance was popular with theatergoers. The movie was Peck’s favorite and Atticus was named the top film hero of the past 100 years by the American Film Institute.

 
Peck was a social activist. In 1947, he risked being blacklisted by criticising the House Un-American Activities Committee for investigating communists in the film industry. Peck criticised the Vietnam War, earning him a spot on President Richard Nixon’s 'enemies' list. Peck supported his son, who served in Vietnam, while objecting to the war – managing to balance complex personal and social issues with strength of character equal to Atticus Finch.


Source: Mystic Stamps