Wikipedia

Robert Greig

This article is about the actor. For the politician, seeRobert Greig (politician).For the rugby player, seeRobert Greig (rugby union).For the agriculturalist, seeRobert Blyth Greig.

Robert Greig(December 27, 1879 – June 27, 1958) was an Australian-American actor who appeared in more than 100 films between 1930 and 1949, usually as the dutiful butler. Born Arthur Alfred Bede Greig, he was the nephew of Australian politician and solicitorWilliam Bede Dalley.He was commonly known as "Bob".

Robert Greig
Greig inAlgiers(1938)
Born(1879-12-27)December 27, 1879
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
DiedJune 27, 1958(1958-06-27)(aged 78)
Los Angeles, California,U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1928–1949

Career

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Greig was born near Melbourne, in 1878. He married fellow actorBeatrice Denver Hollowayin 1912. After a successful career in Melbourne, he and his wife sailed for the United States, and he made hisBroadwaydebut in 1928[1]in anoperetta,Countess Maritza.[2]His next production was theMarx Brothers' comedyAnimal Crackers,[3]in which he portrayed "Hives" the butler. He reprised the role in the1930 film version,which was his movie debut and set the pattern for much of his career, as he was often cast as a butler or other servant.[4]

He performed in several other productions on Broadway, the last in 1938.[1]Greig worked steadily in films, again appearing with the Marx Brothers inHorse Feathers(1932), in which he played a biology professor, and was featured in the 1932 shortJitters the Butler.Notable films in which he broke out of butler-mode wereCockeyed Cavaliers(1934), starringBert WheelerandRobert Woolsey,in which Greig played the "Duke of Weskit", Uncle John to Irene Dunne's Theodora inTheodora Goes Wild(1936), andAlgiers(1938), in which he was "Giraux", the wealthy and gross protector ofHedy Lamarr's character.

Publicity photo fromSullivan's Travels(1941)

In the 1940s, Greig was part ofPreston Sturges' unofficial"stock company" of character actors,appearing in six films written and directed by Sturges.[5]His performances inSullivan's Travels,The Lady EveandThe Palm Beach Story,in which he played a member of the "Ale & Quail Club", were among his best.[4]

Greig's last film wasBride of Vengeance,a 1949Paulette Goddardvehicle, in which he played the uncredited part of a "Councillor."

Death

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Greig died inLos Angeleson June 27, 1958, at the age of 78: he is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery inCulver City, California.

Filmography

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Chico Marx,Greig, andHarpo Marxin his film debut,Animal Crackers(1930)

Notes

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  1. ^abRobert Greigat theInternet Broadway Database
  2. ^​Countess Maritza​at theInternet Broadway Database
  3. ^​Animal Crackers​at theInternet Broadway Database
  4. ^abErickson, HalBiography (Allmovie)
  5. ^Greig appeared inThe Lady Eve,Sullivan's Travels,The Palm Beach Story,The Great Moment,The Sin of Harold DiddlebockandUnfaithfully Yours.He also acted inI Married a Witch,which Sturges produced, and had appeared earlier inEasy Living,written by Sturges.
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