LA JOLLA, CA -- Gregory Peck recently celebrated his 82nd birthday at a Sunday-night only performance of his one-man show A Grand Evening With Gregory Peck. A full house greeted the San Diego native (and co- founder of the La Jolla Playhouse) by singing "Happy Birthday" to him twice during the question-and-answer portion of the show. A huge cake in the shape of "82" was wheeled on stage of Copley Symphony Hall, where Sandra Pay, co-chair of the event, invited the audience to reprise its version of "Happy Birthday" while Peck blew out the candles. Pay said, "You didn't know it, but the first time you sang, it was a rehearsal."

Joining Peck on stage for the final curtain call was his wife of 43 years, Veronique Peck, La Jolla Playhouse board president Geri Ann Warnke, and Arts and Cultural Commissioner Adleane Hunter. Hunter read a city proclamation proclaiming April 5 as "Gregory Peck Day" in San Diego.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent