MovieChat Forums > George Peppard Discussion > Peppard's failure in "tough guy" roles.

Peppard's failure in "tough guy" roles.

posted 2 years ago by whynotwriteme (7122)
6 replies | jump to latest

I like George Peppard as an actor, but I think he was somewhat unsuccessful when he tried to join the ranks of actors like Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood in movies like "Cannon for Cordoba" and other Western and Military themed movies in the late 60s and 70s.

Rather than seeming genuinely tough and dangerous like the other actors in this genre, Peppard's take on cool tough guy acting made him seem merely peevish and annoyed. He was too urbane to play a hardened gunslinger or soldier.

He should have concentrated on dramas and romances, or more sophisticated action heroes in the James Bond mold.

[–] TexasJack (12515) 2 years ago

He was perfect for Col. Hannibal Smith

[–] whynotwriteme (7122) 2 years ago

Well, Hannibal was an officer and in charge of the team so Peppard's more urbane persona was logical in that role. Watch some of his early 70s movies. He's trying to be Clint Eastwood and it just doesn't work. He looks more like a CEO with a 3 day beard who's ticked off at an employee.

[–] CrabgrassWilly (1616) 2 years ago

He sure was on the jazz a lot!

[–] TexasJack (12515) 2 years ago

And he loved it when a plan came together.

[–] kwestmo (4114) 2 years ago

Agreed. He excelled as Banachek, a sophisticate.

[–] whynotwriteme (7122) 2 years ago

Yes, he was great in that series. It suited his style quite well.