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Gregory Peck is one of the last great gentlemen of the silver screen.
Not only does the Academy Award-winning actor have a list of credits that would impress any of today's movie stars, he is gracious with his audience and with journalists who interview him.
When the Sun contacted this living legend in Paris to talk about the Calgary production of his one-man show, Conversations With Gregory Peck, he was the perfect gentleman. He was open, kind and had made a special effort to prepare for the interview -- something today's top celebrities rarely do.
Peck, 80, wants to clear up an erroneous story published across the continent last month suggesting he had given up acting.
"That was a misinterpretation. What I said to the man is that I've retired unless a great role should come along," says Peck.
"I don't want to jump out there and work just to be seen. And I don't want to be the darling old grand-daddy or an old western sourdough.
"I have no idea what a great role would be, but if something great came along, I wouldn't be able to resist it. But I'm not looking for work and I haven't left acting."
Conversations is broken into three sections: The first features clips from Peck's career; in the second, Peck reminisces; and in the final third, he answers audience questions.
"The one question that never fails is: 'Who's your favorite leading lady?' And of course I never answer it ... because some of these ladies are still alive and well," Peck says, chuckling.
Peck's tales range from dinner parties with Gary Cooper to horseback riding with Michael Jackson at his Neverland Ranch.
"Michael Jackson started our friendship by calling me and saying, 'I'd like to pay you a visit.' He has actually memorized all the dialogue in To Kill A Mockingbird and he was full of questions about it," says Peck, who won a best-actor Oscar for his role in that 1962 film.
When Peck isn't working, he loves to stroll the streets of Paris and visit art exhibitions. When he and his wife Veronique Passani are home in Los Angeles, he enjoys gardening and tennis.
"I'm living the life of ease here (Paris) and I'm not feeling guilty about it at all."
As for his tennis game...
"I play what I call easy doubles. I seldom break into a run -- I play tennis by fast walking!"
Conversations runs Sunday at the Jack Singer Concert Hall.