With his granite-faced demeanor and raspy voice, Peck carved out a niche as a go-to character actor, often embodying figures of authority—especially policemen and military men—who commanded respect and handled firearms with ease, even well into his sixties. It’s no surprise that Peck became a familiar face on television, where his strong presence left a lasting impression. His first major TV break came when he stepped into the title role of Major Dell Conway of the Flying Tigers (1951–52), a Sunday afternoon adventure series aired on the now-defunct DuMont network. Interestingly, Peck took over the part from Eric Fleming, who had portrayed the same action hero in the prime-time version—a transition that highlighted Peck’s rising appeal. Over the years, Peck built an impressive resume, but he’s perhaps best remembered by audiences for his role as Police Officer Kirk on the beloved sitcom Happy Days. That role, in particular, cemented Peck’s status as a dependable and recognizable figure on screen. Beyond that, he made notable appearances in shows like G.E. Theater, The Super, and Semi-Tough, while also lending his rugged charm to TV movie pilots such as Jigsaw (1972) and The Incredible Hulk (1977). Through it all, Peck remained a steady, authoritative presence—someone you could believe in, both in uniform and in front of the camera.