Actor Brock Peters ("To Kill A Mockingbird") dies at 78 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AKA · 08-23-2005, 11:07 PM

Brock Peters, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' actor, dies at 78

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — 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 widower and has one daughter, Lise Jo Peters.

Dr. Jazz · 08-23-2005, 11:51 PM

I'm sad to see Brock passed away, but I always thought he had the ugliest nose in Hollywood

Mr. Television · 08-23-2005, 11:54 PM

R.I.P. Brock.

PrettyinPink55 · 08-24-2005, 12:18 AM

Awww that's so sad! May he rest in peace! I loved his performance in To Kill A Mockingbird!

Pavan · 08-24-2005, 12:20 AM

Yes, I saw this mentioned by Charlie Gibson on World News Tonight. He was a great actor and was awesome in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Nighthawk76 · 08-24-2005, 08:33 AM

RIP

TripperFan · 08-24-2005, 08:38 AM

Excellent actor - LOVED his performance in that movie (which is one of my favourite books and movies of all time).

Rest in peace Brock.

Jrnygrl · 08-24-2005, 01:58 PM

I read To Kill A Mockingbird before I saw the movie, and I always felt that although it was a small part, Brock Peters performance was excellent.

Nighthawk76 · 08-24-2005, 05:15 PM

Brock Peters

TJL · 08-24-2005, 05:42 PM

Nice Pics DAX.

I loved his work in the Star Trek universe.

crystals · 08-24-2005, 05:42 PM

What a shock. I also loved his performance in "To Kill A Mockingbird".

Scoobiedoo30 · 08-24-2005, 08:15 PM

R.I.P Brock

rusyd · 08-24-2005, 09:01 PM

I loved that movie. RIP Brock

Cactus Jack · 08-24-2005, 09:42 PM

RIP Brock

08-23-2005, 11:07 PM	#1
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Actor Brock Peters ("To Kill A Mockingbird") dies at 78 Brock Peters, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' actor, dies at 78 The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — 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 widower and has one daughter, Lise Jo Peters. Attached Images

08-23-2005, 11:54 PM	#3
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	R.I.P. Brock.
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08-24-2005, 12:18 AM	#4
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	Awww that's so sad! May he rest in peace! I loved his performance in To Kill A Mockingbird!
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08-24-2005, 12:20 AM	#5
Pavan SO News/Reviews Director Administrator Forum Superstar Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 26,821	Yes, I saw this mentioned by Charlie Gibson on World News Tonight. He was a great actor and was awesome in To Kill a Mockingbird.
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08-24-2005, 08:38 AM	#7
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	Excellent actor - LOVED his performance in that movie (which is one of my favourite books and movies of all time). Rest in peace Brock.
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

08-23-2005, 11:51 PM	#2
Dr. Jazz The Evil Empire. . . . Forum Star Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Posts: 11,094	I'm sad to see Brock passed away, but I always thought he had the ugliest nose in Hollywood

08-24-2005, 08:33 AM	#6
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	RIP

08-24-2005, 01:58 PM	#8
Jrnygrl Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Location: wheel in the sky Posts: 4,540	I read To Kill A Mockingbird before I saw the movie, and I always felt that although it was a small part, Brock Peters performance was excellent.

08-24-2005, 05:15 PM	#9
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	Brock Peters Attached Images

08-24-2005, 05:42 PM	#10
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Nice Pics DAX. I loved his work in the Star Trek universe.
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08-24-2005, 05:42 PM	#11
crystals Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 02, 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 1,829	What a shock. I also loved his performance in "To Kill A Mockingbird".
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08-24-2005, 08:15 PM	#12
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	Actor Brock Peters ( To Kill A Monckingbird") Dead at 78 R.I.P Brock
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08-24-2005, 09:01 PM	#13
rusyd Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 13,505	I loved that movie. RIP Brock

08-24-2005, 09:42 PM	#14
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	RIP Brock
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