Peppard was born October 1, 1928, in Detroit, Michigan. His father, also named George, worked in construction. His mother, was an opera star before her marriage, and was known professionally as Vernelle Rohrer. She left the stage to become a voice coach and became head of music and was on the music faculty at the University of California at Los Angeles, she passed away in 1964.
Peppard studied piano briefly as a small boy, but gave it up when he discovered football. He played for Dearborn High School in Michigan, where he also ran middle distance for the track team. After he graduated, George served in the Marine Corps for eighteen months in the artillarty as a corporal and later as acting sergeant. He then went to Purdue University where he studied civil engineering. At University he developed a love of theatre, he wrote sketches and acted with the Purdue Playshop. He transferred to the Carnegie Mellon Institute where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
He later gained valuable experience at the Oregon Shakespearean Festival before moving to New York City to pursue his professional career. While studying at the Actor's Studio, he worked at a bank, as a motorcycle mechanic and drove a taxi. His first small television roles quickly led to more important parts, including Hallmark Hall of Fame's "LITTLE MOON OF ALBAN," starring Julie Harris. He also appeared in "GIRLS OF SUMMER" on Broadway and went to Hollywood for a role in "PORK CHOP HILL" with Gregory Peck. He returned to Broadway for "THE PLEASURE OF HIS COMPANY."
Peppard's Hollywood career was launched when he co-starred with Robert Mitchum in "HOME FROM THE HILL."
His other movie credits include "THE STRANGE ONE," "THE SUBTERRANEANS," "BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S," "THE CARPET BAGGERS," "OPERATION CROSSBOW," "THE THIRD DAY," "HOW THE WEST WAS WON," "THE BLUE MAX," "TOBRUK," "ROUGH NIGHT AT JERICHO," "P J ," "WHAT'S SO BAD ABOUT FEELING GOOD," "HOUSE OF CARDS," "PENDULUM," "THE EXECUTIONER," "A CANNON FOR CORDOBA," "THE GROUNDSTAR CONSPIRACY," "NEWMAN'S LAW," "DAMNATION ALLEY," "FROM HELL TO VICTORY," "BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS," "YOUR TICKET IS NO LONGER VALID," "RACE TO THE YANKEE ZEPHER."
On TV, he won critical acclaim for the movie-for-television, "GUILTY OR INNOCENT: THE SAM SHEPPARD MURDER CASE." He also starred in two MCA-TV series, "BANACEK" and "DOCTOR'S HOSPITAL." In 1979, he starred in two Movies-of-the-Week, "CRISIS IN MIDAIR," and "TORN BETWEEN TWO LOVERS."
He died in Los Angeles on the 8th of May 1994