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

Ed Peck
Ed Peck in an episode of Tales of Tomorrow (1952)
Born(1917-03-26)March 26, 1917
DiedSeptember 12, 1992(1992-09-12) (aged 75)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1950–1983
SpousePhyllis Houston

Career

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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.[3]: 520  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

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

Death

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

Filmography (partial)

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

References

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  1. ^ "Ed Peck". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  2. ^ Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing Group. p. 837. ISBN 978-0-307-48320-1. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. pp. 430–431. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
  4. ^ "Marriages". Billboard. March 1, 1952. p. 47. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  5. ^ Willis, John (1995). Theatre World 1992–1993. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 226. ISBN 978-1-55783-204-7. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
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