I always liked Mr. Peck's acting. I know nothing of his politics.
There was a scene in the book "To Kill a Mocking Bird" where Atticus, a crack shot with a rifle from his army training in WWI, shoots a rabid dog with one shot - one kill. I don't recall that scene in the movie, but maybe it was. Perhaps someone can elaborate.
Let us not forget his inspired performance as Ahab in "Moby Dick" where his harpoon was just as deadly as any gun. And "The Big Country" is an awesome movie. Jean Simmons, oh my God, she is so sexy. Carol Baker, Burl Ives, Chuck Conners and the legendary Charleton Heston - wow - does it get any better than that!
On a side note, just a curiosity, I worked with a woman, maybe 15 years ago, she is long gone - with Lou Gherig's disease, who's niece was an international super model. This niece married Gregory Pecks's son, and I think subsequently divorced him.
If any Gregory Peck fan knows or remembers that niece's name, I would appreciate knowing. She was very beautiful and always looked different in the camera's eye. She had red hair, was tall, and willowy.