George Peppard, Jr. (October 1, 1928 -
May 8, 1994) was a popular American film and television actor.
He secured a major role early in his career when he starred alongside Audrey Hepburn in
Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), but he is probably more known for his role as Col.
John "Hannibal" Smith in the cult 1980s television show "The A-Team", where he is the
cigar-smoking leader of a renegade commando squadron.
George Peppard died of pneumonia as a result of complications of lung cancer.
Early life:
George Peppard, Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan. The son of building contractor George
Peppard, Sr. and opera singer Vernelle Rohrer, he graduated from Dearborn High School in
Dearborn, Michigan.George Peppard had a fascination with boxing early in life. Peppard
enlisted in the Marine Corps and rose to the rank of Sergeant in the Artillery division,
leaving the Marines at the end of his first tour. He studied Civil Engineering at Purdue
University where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi. He also attended Carnegie Mellon University
in Pittsburgh.
Peppard's Acting Career:
Peppard made his stage debut in 1949 at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. He then enrolled in The
Actors Studio in New York. His first work on Broadway lead to his first television appearance,
with a young Paul Newman, in The United States Steel Hour (1956). Peppard’s Broadway
appearance in "The Pleasure of His Company" (1958) led to an MGM contract. Prior to a strong
film debut in The Strange One (1957), he was discovered playing Robert Mitchum's
illegitimate son in the popular melodrama Home from the Hill (1960).
His good looks, elegant manner and superior acting skills landed Peppard his most famous film
role as Paul Varjak in Breakfast at Tiffany's with Audrey Hepburn. This role boosted him to a
major film actor from its debut in 1961 through the late 60's. Peppard later developed a
tendency to choose tough guy roles in big, ambitious pictures where he was somewhat
overshadowed by ensemble casts. An example is his strong military role as German pilot Bruno
Stachel, an obsessively competitive officer pilot from humble beginnings who challenges the
Prussian aristocracy during World War I in The Blue Max (1966).
Due to the complications of alcoholism, his career led to a string of B films by the early
70's. Among these was the 1970 western Cannon for Cordoba, in which Peppard played the
steely Captain Rod Douglas, who has been put in charge of gathering a group of soldiers to
take part in a dangerous mission into Mexico. Although it also featured the talents of actors
such as Pete Duel and Nico Minardos, it is not among Peppard's best remembered efforts.
Peppard moved to television with a leading role in the TV series "Banacek" (1972 - 1974),
(part of the NBC Mystery Movie series). He appeared in "Doctors' Hospital" (1975) and several
other television films. Still interested in film but with the offered film roles becoming
increasingly uninteresting, he acted in, directed and produced the drama "Five Days from Home"
(1979).
The A-Team:
In the mid 80’s, George Peppard re-emerged as a television star for his role as Col. John
"Hannibal" Smith in the cult show "The A-Team", acting along side Mr. T, Dirk Benedict, and
Dwight Schultz. The A-Team was a crack team of renegade commandos on the run from the military
for a crime they did not commit, while working as soldiers of fortune. John Hannibal Smith
was the leader of the A-Team, distinguished by his cigar-smoking, black leather gloves,
disguises, and catch phrase, "I love it when a plan comes together." The show ran on NBC from
1983-1986 and lasted 5 seasons. It made George Peppard known to a younger generation.
Personal life:
Peppard married four times, and was the father of three children:
Helen Davies - 1954-1964: two children, Bradford and Julie
Elizabeth Ashley - 1966-1972: his co-star in The Carpetbaggers. One son, Christian
Sherrry Boucher - 1975-1979
Alexis Adams - 1984-1986
Peppard finally gave up drinking in 1978 and spent his later years trying to help other
alcoholics enter into recovery.
A life long smoker, Peppard was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1992, and resultantly quit.
This also forced his retirement from acting, and being passionate about politics as a life
long Democrat, he spent his final years championing health care reform.
He died of pneumonia on May 8, 1994 in Los Angeles, California at the age of 65. He is buried
in Northview Cemetery in Dearborn, Michigan.
Trivia:
Studied at The Actors Studio, with acting coach Lee Strasberg. One of his classmates was Rip
Torn.
He knew he had not made the most of his talents or skills. He is quoted as saying: "I was my
own worst enemy" and that "Mine isn’t a string of victories. It’s no golden past. I am no George
Peppard fan."
He resented the fact that Mr. T became a bigger star on "The A-Team". In the show "Bring Back the
A-Team" (2006), Dirk Benedict recalled a time when George refused to even speak to T directly
and asked him (Dirk) to relay his messages.
Was considered for Vin in The Magnificent Seven and The Killers (1964 film)
Peppard's height was 6'0".
In an infamous episode of the game show "Password Plus", Peppard complained about all the
forms and contracts that he had to fill out before being a guest on the show live on camera.
There was a mix reaction of applause and boos from the audience for this outburst.
Popular culture:
In the Seinfeld episode "The Strongbox", Jerry has purchased cuff links worn by Jerry Lewis
in Cinderfella. He plans to use them as a conversation starter with Lewis when he goes to an
upcoming roast at the Friar's Club. George tells Jerry that having the same first name is good
enough for a conversation starter. After mocking George’s comment, George tells Jerry about
how that technique worked for him when he met George Peppard recently. Jerry informs George
that Peppard "has been dead for years." George, covering for his innaccuracy/lie, replies to
Jerry, "Well, whoever he was, he knew a heck of a lot about the A-Team".
In "The Couch", another Seinfeld episode, George has to read Breakfast at Tiffany's for a book
club, but watches the movie instead. At the book club, George comments how good Peppard's'
performance was in the film, and corrects himself after realizing he was the only one who saw
the film, and did not read the book.
Filmography:
The Tigress (1992)
Ultra Warrior (1990)
The A-Team (1983-1987)
Hit Man (1982
)
Race for the Yankee Zephyr (1981)
Your Ticket Is No Longer Valid (1981)
Battle Beyond the Stars (1980)
From Hell to Victory (1979)
Five Days from Home (1979)
Damnation Alley (1977)
Doctors' Hospital (1975-76)
Mid-Air Crash (TV) (1975)
Newman's Law (1974)
The Groundstar Conspiracy (1972)
One More Train to Rob (1971)
Cannon for Cordoba (1970)
The Executioner (1970)
Pendulum (1969)
House of Cards (1968)
What's So Bad About Feeling Good? (1968)
P.J. (1968)
Rough Night in Jericho (1967)
Tobruk (1967)
The Blue Max (1966)
The Third Day (1965)
Operation Crossbow (1965)
The Carpetbaggers (1964)
The Victors (1963)
How the West Was Won (1962)
Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
The Subterraneans (1960)
Home from the Hill (1960)
Pork Chop Hill (1959)
The Strange One (1957)
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