Stephen Peck is the son of one of Hollywood’s greatest actors, Gregory Peck. But Stephen chose a very different path in life. Instead of chasing movie fame, he went to war, made films, and then spent nearly 30 years helping homeless veterans. His life story is one of courage, service, and real purpose. Many people know his father’s name, but Stephen’s own story is just as powerful and worth knowing.
Detailed Bio Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stephen J. Peck |
| Date of Birth | August 16, 1946 |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Father | Gregory Peck (actor) |
| Mother | Greta Kukkonen |
| Siblings | Jonathan Peck, Carey Paul Peck |
| Education | Northwestern University (1968), MSW from University of Southern California (1997) |
| Military Service | U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Marine Division, Vietnam (1969-1970) |
| Military Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Award | Navy Commendation Medal, Doctorate of Humane Letters (honoris causa, 2012) |
| Career | Documentary Filmmaker, Social Worker, CEO |
| Organization | U.S.VETS (United States Veterans Initiative) |
| Role at U.S.VETS | Former President and CEO (retired 2024), now Senior Advisor |
| Wife | Kristine Kidd (food writer and former editor of Bon Appetit magazine) |
| Son | Ethan Peck (actor, known for Star Trek: Discovery) |
| Stepdaughter | Marisa Matarazzo (writer) |
| Nationality | American |
Early Life and Family Background
Stephen Peck was born on August 16, 1946, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in the shadow of his famous father, Gregory Peck, who was already becoming one of the biggest movie stars in America. Stephen was the second of three sons from Gregory’s first marriage to Finnish-American Greta Kukkonen. His brothers were Jonathan, born in 1944, and Carey Paul, born in 1949.
Growing up with a Hollywood legend as a father was not always easy. Gregory was often away for work, and his parents later divorced in 1955. Stephen later shared that his father was a good listener and very present when he was home, but the long absences were a real challenge for a young child. Still, Stephen grew up with strong values, and those values would guide every big decision of his life.
Education and Going to War
Stephen studied film at Northwestern University, inspired by his famous father. He graduated in 1968 and was quickly drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps. He did not volunteer, as he said himself, “Uncle Sam called me.” He trained and was sent to Vietnam, where he served as a first lieutenant in the 1st Marine Division near Da Nang from 1969 to 1970.
His time in Vietnam changed him deeply. He served as a forward observer, which is one of the most dangerous roles in combat. For his service, Stephen received the Navy Commendation Medal. He left the Marines in March 1971 and came home carrying not just memories, but a deep sense of responsibility toward the men and women who served alongside him.
Career in Film and the Turning Point
After the war, Stephen followed his father’s footsteps and worked in the film industry. He became a documentary filmmaker and worked on several projects. His most important film was “Far from Home,” a documentary about homeless Vietnam veterans living on the beach in Venice, California. He also directed “Heart of the Warrior,” which earned him recognition and awards.
Making these films changed his life. While he was filming, he started meeting homeless veterans face to face. He quickly realized that making films about a problem was not the same as solving it. Within a short time, he decided to leave filmmaking behind and become a full-time advocate for homeless veterans. This was the turning point that defined the rest of his career.
Building U.S.VETS: A Mission to End Veteran Homelessness
In the early 1990s, Stephen began working as an outreach worker at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He walked the streets, finding unhoused veterans and connecting them to care. He joined the organization that would become U.S.VETS in 1996 as Director of Community Development. In 2010, he became the President and CEO of the organization.
Under his leadership, U.S.VETS grew from a small program serving five clients in Inglewood, California, to 45 residential and service sites across the United States. The organization helped more than 12,000 veterans every year access housing, mental health care, employment support, and food. During his time as CEO, the number of homeless veterans in the U.S. dropped by more than half, from 74,087 in 2010 to 33,882 in 2024. That is an extraordinary result and a true measure of his life’s work.
Awards and Recognition
Stephen Peck received many honors over his career. In 2012, the Chicago School of Professional Psychology awarded him a Doctorate of Humane Letters, honoris causa. He was also honored by the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the City of Long Beach.
In 2023, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society gave U.S.VETS its Community Service Award, recognizing the values and mission that Stephen built over nearly three decades. He was also featured in an Emmy Award-winning program called “Profiles of Hope,” where he spoke about overcoming post-traumatic stress disorder. His work has been recognized at both local and national levels, and his name is well respected in the world of veteran services.
Personal Life: Family, Wife, and Son
Stephen Peck is married to Kristine Kidd, a well-known food writer, culinary consultant, and former food editor of Bon Appetit magazine. The couple lives in the High Sierra above Bishop, California. Together, they named their Labrador retriever Atticus, a clear tribute to Gregory Peck’s most beloved role in “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
Stephen has one son, Ethan Peck, born in 1986, who grew up to become a well-known actor. Ethan is best known today for playing the iconic role of Mr. Spock in Star Trek: Discovery on CBS All Access. Stephen also has a stepdaughter, Marisa Matarazzo, who works as a writer. Stephen has spoken warmly about making sure his son Ethan had a close relationship with Gregory Peck, and the grandfather and grandson became very close before Gregory passed away in 2003.
Relationship with His Father Gregory Peck
Stephen had a loving but honest relationship with his father. He described Gregory as a gentleman in every sense of the word, both on screen and in real life. Gregory was proud of his son’s military service, even though he personally opposed the Vietnam War. The two men shared strong values around social justice and helping others.
In Gregory’s later years, the family grew much closer. Stephen recalled that they would visit nearly every week, play tennis, and share meals together. He was happy that his son Ethan got to know his grandfather before the end. Gregory Peck passed away on June 12, 2003, at age 87. Stephen has continued to honor his father’s legacy through his own life of service and integrity.
Conclusion
Stephen Peck is much more than the son of a Hollywood legend. He is a war veteran, a filmmaker, a social worker, and a tireless advocate for people who served their country. He spent nearly 30 years building something meaningful and left the world better than he found it. His story deserves to be known, and it is a reminder that true greatness is often found not in the spotlight, but in quiet, steady service to others.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Stephen Peck?
Stephen Peck is the son of famous Hollywood actor Gregory Peck. He is a Vietnam War veteran, former documentary filmmaker, and the former CEO of U.S.VETS, the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. that helps homeless veterans.
2. What did Stephen Peck do in Vietnam?
Stephen Peck served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Marine Division, near Da Nang from 1969 to 1970. He worked as a forward observer and received the Navy Commendation Medal for his service.
3. What is U.S.VETS?
U.S.VETS (United States Veterans Initiative) is the largest nonprofit in America dedicated to ending veteran homelessness. It provides housing, mental health care, employment support, and other services to veterans across the country.
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