The Gregory Peck Reading Series features some of the most acclaimed actors of our time, who read from their favorite plays, poems, short stories, novels, essays, and letters - all to help support the Los Angeles Public Library.

Calendar of Events

The Gregory Peck Reading Series Archive

The Gregory Peck Literary Endowment

History
The series began in 1994. In April of that year, Academy Award-winning actor Gregory Peck participated in a National Library Week program at the West Los Angeles Regional Branch Library. Four years later, he wrote the following in a letter published in the Los Angeles Times, "Since people first began writing down their stories nearly 7,000 years ago, we have needed libraries. The story of who we are is contained in all its amazing variety in the library, and we are fortunate in Los Angeles to have a place of public greatness where this complex, rich and varied story can continue to be told, read and heard."

When asked to read at the Central Library for the Library Foundation's first major donor event, he discovered the intimacy and excellent acoustics of the Mark Taper Auditorium. Mr. Peck enjoyed the experience so much; he asked if he could bring his "friends" down to the Library to read. And, thus, on that wonderful summer evening, the Gregory Peck Reading Series was born.

Today, the series continues under the direction of members of the Peck family. His widow, Veronique Peck, produces the series with their children Cecilia Peck-Voll and Anthony Peck, serving as co-producers and co-hosts for the readings.

To learn more about the Gregory Peck Reading Series, please contact the Foundation at libfnd@lapl.org or (213) 228-7500.

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