Ed Peck Explained

Birth Date:26 March 1917
Death Place:Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation:Actor
Spouse:Phyllis Houston
Years Active:1950–1983

Ed Peck (March 26, 1917 – September 12, 1992) was an American actor. He is best known as Officer Kirk in Happy Days (1975–1983).

Career

Peck played a captain in the Broadway production of No Time for Sergeants (1955).[1] He was active in television and in films from 1951 to 1983, specializing in playing either police officers or military officers.

In 1951, Peck replaced Eric Fleming in the title role of Major Dell Conway of the Flying Tigers on the DuMont Television Network.[2] In 1969 Peck appeared as the Hotel Manager on the TV Series The Virginian in the episode titled "Journey to Scathelock." One of his highest profile parts was among his last, in the television series Happy Days, in the recurring role as police officer Kirk[3] from 1975 to 1983. He also played a police officer similar to Officer Kirk in at least one episode of the television series All in the Family and two episodes of Barney Miller as patrolman (later officer) Frank Slater.

Peck was an announcer on The Jack Carson Show, a variety program on NBC-TV in 1953–1954. He also was a member of the cast of the summer 1972 television situation comedy The Super, portraying Officer Clark, a tenant in a New York City apartment building. He also guest-starred on dozens of television series including The Untouchables, Perry Mason, The Fugitive, Kentucky Jones, Get Smart, Gunsmoke, Star Trek ("Tomorrow Is Yesterday", 1967), Cannon, and Bonanza, as well as films such as Heaven Can Wait, Bullitt, Cheech and Chong's Next Movie, and The Prisoner of Second Avenue. He played the Governor's director of security, Captain McDermott, on several episodes of Benson. He played a rabbi and Capt. Worwick in two episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show.

After leaving the Happy Days series in 1983, he retired from acting.

Personal life

On January 20, 1952, Peck married advertising copywriter Phyllis Houston in New York.[4]

Death

Peck died of a heart attack on September 12, 1992, in Los Angeles, California,[5] at the age of 75.

Filmography (partial)

YearTitleRoleNotes
1964One Man's Way Harry the Reporter
1965Kentucky Jones Jim Heller Episode "Kentucky′s Vacation"
1965The Third Day Bud Uncredited
1966Combat! Pvt. Coker 1 episode
1967The Ride to Hangman's Tree Sheriff Stewart
1967Gunn Minor Role Uncredited
1967Star Trek Col. Fellini 1 episode
1967Counterpoint Prescott
1968A Man Called Gannon Delivery Rider
1968The Shakiest Gun in the West Sheriff
1968I Love You, Alice B. Toklas Man in Dress Shop
1968Bullitt Westcott
1969The Comic Edwin G. Englehardt
1971Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory FBI Agent Uncredited
1972The Carey Treatment Turnkey / Police Sergeant Uncredited
1972Every Little Crook and Nanny Emilio Uncredited
1973Blume in Love Ed Goober
1975Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins Mr. Big Time
1975The Prisoner of Second Avenue Mr. Jacobi
1976Special Delivery Man in Booth
1977Tracks
1978Heaven Can Wait Trainer
1978The Incredible Hulk Captain Brandes 1 episode
1980Cheech & Chong's Next Movie Cop Shotgun
1981Zoot Suit Lieutenant Edwards
1982Hey Good Lookin' Italian Man Voice
1983The Last Unicorn Jack Jingley Voice
1983Likely Stories, Vol. 3 General Powerhouse Announcer

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ed Peck . Internet Broadway Database . The Broadway League . September 14, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180914013232/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/ed-peck-98522 . September 14, 2018.
  2. Book: Brooks . Tim . Marsh . Earle F. . The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present . 2009 . Random House Publishing Group . 978-0-307-48320-1 . 837 . September 14, 2018 . en.
  3. Book: Terrace. Vincent. Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010. 2011. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Jefferson, N.C.. 978-0-7864-6477-7. 430–431. 2nd.
  4. Marriages. December 26, 2017. Billboard. March 1, 1952. 47.
  5. Book: Willis . John . Theatre World 1992–1993 . 1995 . Hal Leonard Corporation . 978-1-55783-204-7 . 226 . September 14, 2018 . en.