Walter Noel Greaza (pronounced Gree-zay; January 1, 1897 – June 1, 1973) was an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

television Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertising, ...

radio Radio is the technology of signaling and communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 30 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a tr ...

, stage and film

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), lit ...

Biography

Greaza was born on January 1, 1897, in

St Paul, Minnesota Saint Paul (abbreviated St. Paul) is the capital of the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Ramsey County. Situated on high bluffs overlooking a bend in the Mississippi River, Saint Paul is a regional business hub and the center ...

, to Albert Edward Greaza and Mary Elizabeth Frickelton. He studied business law and political science at the University of Minnesota in addition to acting with the university's drama organization. During World War I, he served in the U.S. Navy. Greaza was appointed national administrative chairman of the

American Guild of Variety Artists The American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA) is an American entertainment union representing performers in variety entertainment, including circuses, Las Vegas showrooms and cabarets, comedy showcases, dance revues, magic shows, theme park show ...

in 1942 and was assistant executive secretary of

Actors Equity The Actors' Equity Association (AEA), commonly referred to as Actors' Equity or simply Equity, is an American labor union representing those who work in live theatrical performance. Performers appearing in live stage productions without a book ...

in 1943. In 1948 he married Helene Ambrose. They remained wed until her death in 1966. Greaza was president of

The Lambs The Lambs, Inc. (also known as The Lambs Club) is a social club in New York City for actors, songwriters, and others involved in the theatre. It is America's oldest theatrical organization. "The Lambs" is a registered trademark of The Lambs, Inc ...

from 1953 to 1956. Greaza died at the Kew Gardens General Hospital on June 1, 1973 from

cardiac arrest Cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. It is a medical emergency that, without immediate medical intervention, will result in sudden cardiac death within minutes. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and possi ...

Appearances

Greaza appeared in 8 films and 10 television programs between 1946 and 1965. His first film was ''The Story of Kenneth W. Randall, M.D.'' (1946) and his career ended with an episode in the television series '' The Defenders'' (1965). On Broadway, Greaza appeared in ''Roman Candle'' (1960), ''Auntie Mame'' (1956), ''Temper the Wind'' (1946), ''The Overtons'' (1946), ''The Visitor'' (1944), ''Wallflower'' (1944), ''A New Life''(1943), ''The Red Velvet Goat'' (1939), ''Sunup to Sundown'' (1938), ''To Quito and Back'' (1937), ''Sea Legs'' (1937), ''Now You've Done It'' (1937), ''All Editions'' (1936), ''Arrest That Woman'' (1936), ''If This Be Treason'' (1935), ''Ceiling Zero'' (1935), ''But Not For Love'' (1934), ''Judgment Day'' (1934), ''Wednesday's Child'' (1934), ''We, The People'' (1933), ''In Times Square'' (1931), ''Enemy Within'' (1931), and ''Love in the Tropics'' (1927). Greaza's film credits include: ''

13 Rue Madeleine ''13 Rue Madeleine'' is a 1947 American World War II spy film directed by Henry Hathaway and starring James Cagney, Annabella, Richard Conte and Frank Latimore. Allied volunteers are trained as spies in the leadup to the invasion of Europe, ...

'' (1947), ''

Call Northside 777 ''Call Northside 777'' is a 1948 reality-based newspaper drama directed by Henry Hathaway. The film parallels the true story of a Chicago reporter who proved that a man jailed for murder was wrongly convicted 11 years before. James Stewart stars ...

'' (1948), '' The Street with No Name'' (1948), ''

New Mexico ) , population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano) , seat = Santa Fe, New Mexico, Santa Fe , LargestCity = Albuquerque, New Mexico, Albuquerque , LargestMetro = Albuquerque metropolitan area, Tiguex , Offi ...

'' (1951), and '' It Happened to Jane'' (1959). On television, Greaza starred as The chief on ''

Treasury Men in Action ''Treasury Men in Action'' (also known as ''Federal Men'') is an American crime drama series broadcast live and which aired from September 11, 1950, through April 1951 on ABC and then on NBC through 1955. The series stars Walter Greaza, Ross M ...

'' (1950–55) and portrayed Winston Grimsley on ''

The Edge of Night ''The Edge of Night'' is an American television mystery crime drama series and soap opera, created by Irving Vendig and produced by Procter & Gamble Productions. It debuted on CBS on April 2, 1956, and ran as a live broadcast on that netwo ...

'' (from 1956 until his death). His other TV credits include: '' The Philco Television Playhouse'' (1949), ''

Martin Kane, Private Eye ''Martin Kane, Private Eye'' is an American crime drama radio and television series sponsored by United States Tobacco Company. It aired via radio from 1949 to 1952 and was simultaneously a television series on NBC from 1949 to 1954. It was the " ...

'' (1951), ''

Hallmark Hall of Fame ''Hallmark Hall of Fame'', originally called ''Hallmark Television Playhouse'', is an anthology program on American television, sponsored by Hallmark Cards, a Kansas City-based greeting card company. The longest-running prime-time series in ...

'' (1956), ''

The Phil Silvers Show ''The Phil Silvers Show'', originally titled ''You'll Never Get Rich'', is a sitcom which ran on CBS from 1955 to 1959. A pilot titled "Audition Show" was made in 1955, but it was never broadcast. 143 other episodes were broadcast – all half-a ...

'' (1958), and ''

The United States Steel Hour ''The United States Steel Hour'' is an anthology series which brought hour long dramas to television from 1953 to 1963. The television series and the radio program that preceded it were both sponsored by the United States Steel Corporation (U. S ...

'' (1961–62). On radio, Greaza starred as Steve Wilson in '' Big Town''. He also played Inspector Ross on '' Crime Doctor'', and Russ in ''Lora Lawton'' and had supporting roles in '' The FBI in Peace and War''.

Filmography

References

External links

* Male actors from Minnesota American male film actors American male television actors 1897 births 1973 deaths 20th-century American male actors The Lambs presidents University of Minnesota alumni American male radio actors American male stage actors {{US-screen-actor-1900s-stub