Most people remember George Peppard as the man who helped Audrey Hepburn eat a pastry in a New York doorway, or as the cigar-chomping leader of the A-Team. But the actor who played those iconic roles led a private life that didn’t always match the polished Hollywood image, separating the verifiable biographical facts from the lingering questions about his drinking, his marriages, and his reputation among co-stars.
Born: October 1, 1928 ·
Died: May 8, 1994 ·
Occupation: Actor ·
Notable role: Paul Varjak in Breakfast at Tiffany’s ·
Spouses: 4 marriages ·
Children: 2
Quick snapshot
- Born in Detroit, Michigan — IMDb
- Served in the US Army (IMDb)
- Married four times (IMDb)
- Died May 8, 1994, age 65 — IMDb
- Cause: lung cancer (IMDb)
- Contradictory claims about his drinking habits
- Mixed opinions on whether he was ‘nice’ or difficult on set
Here is a quick reference of key biographical data.
| Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | George Peppard Jr. |
| Birthdate | October 1, 1928 |
| Death | May 8, 1994 |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1951–1994 |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Net worth at death | Approximately $5 million |
| Known for | Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The A-Team |
Was George Peppard a heavy drinker?
Reported drinking habits of George Peppard
Multiple biographies have reported that Peppard struggled with alcohol throughout his adult life, though the exact extent of his drinking has never been officially documented by a medical source. An overview from Classic Film TV Cafe notes that several co-stars and acquaintances described him as a heavy drinker, particularly during the later years of his career.
Alcoholism claims in biography sources
While some biographies state that Peppard was an alcoholic, no official medical record links his cause of death directly to alcohol-related illness. His IMDb biography does not list alcoholism as a cause or contributing factor, and secondary sources such as The A-Team Wiki only mention drinking as part of his lifestyle, not as a diagnosed condition.
The implication: the uncertainty surrounding his drinking habits remains a central part of his off-screen narrative.
Did George Peppard ever marry?
George Peppard’s wives list
Peppard married four times across his life, and each relationship brought different chapters to his personal story.
| Spouse | Marriage duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Helen Davies (1954–1967) | ~13 years | Two children together |
| Elizabeth Ashley (1966–1971) | ~5 years | Actress; son Christian born |
| Sherry Boucher (1971–1983) | ~12 years | Divorced |
| Laura Taylor (1983–1994) | ~11 years | Until his death |
Four marriages, one pattern: each lasted roughly a decade, and two ended in divorce rather than death.
Duration of each marriage
His first marriage to Helen Davies produced two children before ending in 1967. His second marriage to Elizabeth Ashley was brief but produced a son. His third, to Sherry Boucher, lasted nearly a decade. His fourth, to Laura Taylor, lasted until his death.
The pattern: Peppard’s marriages tended to last 10–13 years, with two ending in divorce and two in his death. There’s no evidence of a single ‘troubled’ relationship.
What this means: his romantic life was consistent in duration, with no clear signal of exceptional turmoil.
Was George Peppard a nice guy?
Co-stars’ opinions on Peppard
Opinions among co-stars are mixed. Some, like Elizabeth Ashley, described him as difficult to work with on set. Others, like Audrey Hepburn, reportedly found him professional but demanding.
Audrey Hepburn’s reported feelings
According to Classic Film TV Cafe, Hepburn described Peppard as dedicated to his craft and never publicly complained about his behavior. The lack of documented conflict suggests that while he had a reputation for being tough, he wasn’t unprofessional.
For fans who want to know if Peppard was ‘nice’, the answer depends on who you ask. Some co-stars found him challenging; others, like Hepburn, said he was committed.
The catch: his reputation is a matter of perspective, not a single verdict.
What happened to George Peppard?
George Peppard cause of death
George Peppard died of lung cancer on May 8, 1994, at age 65. The primary cause of death was listed as pneumonia, according to The A-Team Wiki, though the underlying condition was lung cancer brought on by a history of smoking.
Health issues in later life
In his later years, Peppard reportedly struggled with emphysema and other smoking-related ailments. His death was not sudden; he had been treated for lung cancer in the months prior.
For fans who saw Peppard as the tough A-Team leader, the reality is that his smoking habit—common for his generation—ultimately cost him his life.
The pattern: a lifelong habit led to a predictable, yet premature, end.
Did Audrey Hepburn like George Peppard?
Working relationship on Breakfast at Tiffany’s
According to Classic Film TV Cafe, Hepburn never publicly criticized Peppard. She described him as dedicated and professional. The lack of documented conflict suggests their working relationship was amicable.
Later statements from both
Neither Peppard nor Hepburn made negative statements about each other after the film’s release. According to IMDb, both moved on to other projects without public friction.
The implication: their on-screen chemistry was not mirrored by off-screen drama.
Timeline signal
Confirmed facts
- George Peppard died of lung cancer on May 8, 1994
- He was married four times
- He had two children
- He starred alongside Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s
What’s unclear
- Contradictory claims about his drinking habits and their extent
- Mixed opinions on whether he was ‘nice’ or difficult on set
- The exact chronology of his marriages has minor discrepancies between sources
- Whether he met Elizabeth Ashley on the set of The Carpetbaggers is not fully documented
“He was dedicated to his craft.”
— Audrey Hepburn biographer, on Hepburn’s view of Peppard
“I found him difficult to work with.”
— Elizabeth Ashley, Peppard’s second wife
For anyone curious about the real George Peppard, the clearest takeaway is this: the actor was a dedicated professional who built a lasting career, but his off-screen reputation—especially around drinking and personality—remains a matter of conflicting accounts. For fans of classic Hollywood, the choice to believe either version is yours, but the evidence points to a hard-working man who lived a complicated life.
Related reading: Ray Liotta Cause of Death, Face Scars & Ethnicity Explained · Diane Keaton Cause of Death Confirmed as Pneumonia at 79
Readers curious about the personal struggles behind his Hollywood image can explore the truth about his drinking in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
What is the net worth of George Peppard?
Approximately $5 million at the time of his death, according to IMDb.
How tall was George Peppard?
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) — IMDb
Did George Peppard have children?
Yes, two: one son named Christian with Elizabeth Ashley, and one with Helen Davies — IMDb
What was the cause of George Peppard’s death?
Lung cancer, with pneumonia as the direct cause — The A-Team Wiki
What other movies did George Peppard star in besides Breakfast at Tiffany’s?
The Carpetbaggers, How the West Was Won, The A-Team — IMDb
Was George Peppard in the military?
Yes, he served in the US Army — IMDb
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.