Gregory Peck's Star Is Stolen From Walk of Fame

Gregory Peck's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was stolen by someone who cut it out of the sidewalk where it had honored the actor for more than four decades, officials said Tuesday.

"They just left a big hole out there," said Johnny Grant, 82, who serves as Hollywood's honorary mayor and oversees ceremonies honoring star recipients. "Somebody went out there with a cement saw and carved it out of the black terrazzo."

Peck's star is the fourth star to be stolen since the Walk of Fame was begun in 1960. Some 2,200 stars are now part of the walkway.

Years ago, stars honoring Jimmy Stewart, Kirk Douglas and Gene Autry disappeared after they were removed during construction projects, but the stars for Stewart and Douglas were recovered, Grant said.

Peck, who died in 2003 at age 87, won an Oscar for his portrayal of upstanding Southern lawyer Atticus Finch in 1962's "To Kill a Mockingbird." He also was noted for his roles in "Gentleman's Agreement," which won the Oscar for best picture in 1947, "The Guns of Navarone," "Amazing Grace and Chuck," "Cape Fear" and "Roman Holiday."

Peck's star was part of the original group of some 1,500 set into Hollywood sidewalks before it was officially dedicated in 1960.

It apparently disappeared sometime between Nov. 17 and Nov. 22, Grant said.