Peck's Hollywood star goes missing but not the first

LOS ANGELES - Gregory Peck's star has gone missing, believed stolen, from the Hollywood Walk of Fame by someone in possession of a cement saw and "very good taste," Hollywood's honorary mayor Johnny Grant said.

Grant, the former radio and TV star who is now chairman of the Hollywood Historic Trust, said the world famous pink star set in a black square that has honoured Peck for more than 40 years had disappeared sometime in the last two weeks.

"It was somebody who knew how to use a cement saw and was probably dressed as a construction worker," Grant said. "Whoever it was had very good taste."

Peck's star is the fourth to be stolen since the Walk of Fame honouring film, TV and radio celebrities was begun along a stretch of Hollywood Boulevard in 1960.

The stars of Gene Autry, Jimmy Stewart and Kirk Douglas all disappeared during construction projects years ago.

Peck, who died in 2003 at the age of 87, was one of Hollywood's best-loved stars, known for his quietly heroic roles. He won an Oscar for his performance as lawyer Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird" and appeared in "Roman Holiday" and "The Guns of Navarone."

Grant said it would be difficult to dispose of the Peck star, adding that he was alerting eBay to anyone trying to sell it online. Police have been notified and are investigating.

A replacement star has already been carved for Peck and was to be unveiled today.

- REUTERS