July 17, 2026
Stories of Los Angeles Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow SOLAHA Vol. VII No. 5
Peter Peyton & ILWU Grandfather Legacy
Longtime ILWU leader, Peter Peyton tells the story of his grandfather, Pete Grassi, a longshoreman who was part of the waterfront strike in 1934 that won West Coast dockworkers their union, the ILWU. Grassi, a man of few words, was known to be a business agent for the ILWU who settled disputes between workers and bosses with a shot to the jaw. .
Peter Peyton might be best known locally as a leader and officer (former President of Local #63) in the ILWU, however he has a distinguished background including film producer, outstanding athlete – featured in the Los Angeles Waterfront (San Pedro Sportswalk) – and community/PORT involvement.
A “5th generation” San Pedran of English, Croatian and Serbian heritage, he attended Crestwood Elementary School, Rudicinda Dodson Middle School, Fermin Lasuen and Mira Costa High Schools In his high school years CIF player of the and at UCLA his senior year was All American Swimming champion for water polo.
Peter studied acting with actor Martin Landau but decided he preferred to be on the other side of the camera. Before he was 30 years old he had produced a moviem, wrote, co-wrote or developed six screenplays.
He was affiliated with esteemed screenwriter/producer Robert Towne (Chinatown and native of SP) and started San Pedro Productions with Towne and Ed Taylor; and produced the movie Personal Best who Towne wrote the fourth lead in the film Personal Best for him.
He is happily married to Filomena. They have a “merged family”. Peter is proud father of two daughters and several grandchildren.
Peter is extremely smart, astute, articulate and a great story teller – more to reveal in coming months.