George Peppard Biography: Hollywood Star to TV Legend

George Peppard Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan, on October 1, 1928. Before finding fame, he served as a U.S. Marine and sergeant, even studying civil engineering. However, his passion for theater led him to the prestigious Actor’s Studio, where he honed his craft.

Peppard’s film debut came in 1957 with Jack Garfein’s “The Strange One.” He went on to create several memorable roles, including the charming writer Paul “Fred” Varjak opposite Audrey Hepburn in the iconic “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961). He also starred as the ambitious Jonas Cord Jr. in the 1964 blockbuster “The Carpetbaggers.” In the 1980s, Peppard was initially cast as Blake Carrington in the hit series Dynasty, but due to creative differences with the producers, he was famously replaced by John Forsythe.

In 1982, Peppard successfully auditioned for the role that would redefine his career: Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith in the television series “The A-Team.” The show became a massive global phenomenon, airing for five successful seasons from 1983 to 1987, making Peppard a beloved household name.

Peppard bravely overcame his struggle with alcoholism in 1978 and subsequently became involved with addiction recovery organizations. Sadly, he was unable to conquer his smoking habit, reportedly consuming two packs of cigarettes a day. George Peppard passed away in 1994 due to lung cancer, leaving behind a rich legacy in both film and television.

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Carla Marinho Leal

Writer, traveler and above all, curious about many subjects. She has studied cinema since 2002 and is a Specialist in Cinematographic Studies from UNICAP. Founder of the blog Purviance and the website Cinemaclássico. She loves Charles Chaplin, Raj Kapoor and constantly browses films from all over the world.

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