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User:Jlyeck/Tom McGreevey

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Tom McGreevey
Born
Thomas Aquinas McGreevey

21 July 1932
Brooklyn, New York
Died20 May 2024
Cincinnati, Ohio
EducationAcademy of Dramatic Arts
Alma materUniversity of Illinois, Urbana-Champagne
Occupation(s)actor, writer, editor
Years active1959 - 1992

Tom McGreevey was an American actor whose acting career in theater, movies, television, and commercials spanned over four decades. Concurrent with performing, he worked for many years as an editor and art director in greeting cards, first at American Greetings and, later, at Gibson Greetings (Cincinnati, Ohio). After retiring from acting, McGreevey wrote books and articles about film history.

Born in Brooklyn, New York (July 21, 1932), Thomas Aquinas "Tom" McGreevey served in the Marine Corps (1950 – 1954) during the Korean War. Following his discharge, he trained at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts (New York City) and went on to study with noted Shakespearian scholar Charles H. Shattuck at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champagne, appearing in many plays produced by the theater department, including the role of Sir Toby Belch in Shattuck’s 1961 production of Twelfth Night.[1] [2] [3]

In the early 1960s, McGreevey used the stage name “Thom McGreevey,” performing in summer stock with Ohio's Peninsula Players and at the renowned, racially integrated theater Karamu House (Cleveland, Ohio). A brief career in radio at the progressive rock station WEBN-FM (Cincinnati) and WDAI-FM (Chicago) led to the role of "Mr. Patches," on the long-running children's program, "The Uncle Al Show" (WCPO-TV, Cincinnati).[4] [5] [6]

In addition to embodying the role of Uncle Al’s sidekick, McGreevey was the puppeteer and voice for a dozen puppets, including Mother Goose. "Mr. Patches" quickly became a beloved local celebrity. Entertaining children and parents alike, dressed in a patchwork jacket, McGreevey participated in many community activities, from Girl Scout cookie eating contests and appearances with Santa Claus; to numerous fundraisers, such as the auction for PBS station WCET and the March of Dimes; to the enormously successful opening show of the Cincinnati Coliseum (Heritage Bank Center) in 1975, to kicking off the 1976 Bicentennial Summer Celebration at Fountain Square. He also appeared weekly on WCPO’s Sunday morning children’s show, “Play it Safe,” hosted by police officer Bob Morgan.[7] [8] [9]

In his mid-40s, McGreevey returned to New York City, committed to working full-time as an actor. In addition to commercials and print ads for many national brands, including Lipton, McDonald's, and Budweiser, he appeared on several daytime soap operas both in New York and Los Angeles, notably All My Children and General Hospital, in which he played the Scottish minister who married characters Duke Lavery and Anna Devane in 1987.

During the 1980s, McGreevey continued to perform in legitimate theater, including: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Melrose Theater, 1981), directed by William Shatner; A Case of Libel (Melrose Theater, 1983); Alienated Affections/Land of the Blind (Celebrity Centre), 1983; Couple of the Year (Lambs Theater, Off-Broadway, 1983), directed by long-term artistic director of the Cincinnati Playhouse, Edward Stern; and A Delicate Balance (Arizona Theater Company, 1986-1987).[10] [11] [12] [13] [14] ,ref> [15]

The bulk of his film and television work in Los Angeles was during the 1980s, when he appeared in many of the most successful series of the era, including Soap, Dallas, Dynasty, Remington Steele, Fame, Simon & Simon, Hunter, The Golden Girls, Hill Street Blues, and L.A. Law.[16]

His work in made-for-television movies and mini-series included Killer in the Mirror; Rock Hudson; Polly (Disney's 1989 remake of Pollyanna); An Inconvenient Woman; and Lady Against the Odds, for which director/cinematographer Bradford May won an Emmy (Cinematography for a Miniseries).[17]

His role as Officer O'Conner in the Emmy-winning Ziggy's Gift teamed McGreevey with Ziggy's creator and former American Greetings colleague, Tom Wilson.[18]

McGreevey appeared in a variety of feature films: The Favorite (1989) starring F. Murray Abraham and introducing Amber O’Shea; Angel Town (1990), the film debut of kickboxer Olivier Gruner; and The Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear (1991), in which McGreevey’s character was amusingly credited as: “Very well, sir. It's from the lady.” In Airplane II: The Sequel, McGreevey's role as "Karl Malden” (spoofing Malden's ad for American Express Travelers checks) ended up on the cutting room floor but remained in the trailer.[19]

While he was adept at comedy, McGreevey was often typecast as a "three piece suit," playing ministers, doctors, judges, and administrators, most of whom were in stark contrast to his effervescent and broadminded personality. A notable exception was his stage performance in Neil Simon's God's Favorite (Marimont Players, 1973).

In 1992, McGreevey retired from acting to write books and articles about film history. He is the co-author of Movie Westerns and Our Movie Heritage.[20]

McGreevey died in Cincinnati, Ohio on May 20, 2024 at the age of 91.[21]

Filmography

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Bibliography

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  • Yeck, Joanne L. and Tom McGreevey (1994). Movie Westerns. Lerner Publications. p 80. ISBN: 9780822516439.
  • McGreevey, Tom and Yeck, Joanne L. (1997). Our Movie Heritage. Rutgers University Press. p 184. ISBN 9780813524313.

References

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  1. ^ Saxon, Wolfgang (Sept. 23, 1992). “Charles H. Shattuck, 81, Shakespearean Scholar.” New York Times. Sec. B, p 7. Retrieved 2025-1-4.
  2. ^ ”1,400 High Schoolers To Attend Special Matinees of ‘Twelfth Night’.” (January 7, 1961), The Daily Illini. p 4. Retrieved 2024-9-24.
  3. ^ Johnson, Judy (January 12, 1961) “Shakespeare Play Excellent: ‘Twelfth Night,’ Hit in Theatre Opening.” The Daily Illini. p 1. Retrieved 2024-9-24.
  4. ^ “Thomas McGreevey plays Chris . . . in the Peninsula Players’ production of Arthur Miller’s ‘All My Sons.” (September 3, 1961). Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2025-1-4.
  5. ^ “Lively Segregation Spoof Opens at Karamu Tuesday” (September 23, 1961). Cleveland Plain Dealer. p 171. Retrieved 2025-1-4.
  6. ^ WCPO (Nov 07, 2022). “New documentary highlights 'The Uncle Al Show' and its lasting legacy.” Retrieved 2025-1-4.
  7. ^ Kiesewetter, John. (June 3, 2024). “Actor, DJ Tom “Mr. Patches” McGreevey dies at 91.” WVXU (NPR). Retrieved 2025-1-4.
  8. ^ "Play it Safe." Lost Cincinnati. Retrieved 2025-1-7.
  9. ^ “Mr. Patches Once WEBN-FM ‘Jelly Pudding’ Music Host (August 7, 1974). Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 2024-9-24. p 71.
  10. ^ Drake, Sylvie (September 15, 1981). “Williams’ ‘Cat’ On A Hot Streak At The Melrose Theater.” Los Angles Times. VI:5. Retrieved 2025-1-4.
  11. ^ “Coming Attractions.” (September 4, 1981). Daily Breeze. p 67. Retrieved 2024-9-24.
  12. ^ “’A Case of Libel’ At Melrose.” (June 24, 1983). Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-9-24.
  13. ^ “’Affections’ at Celebrity Centre” (December 12, 1983). Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
  14. ^ Raidy, William A. (August 15, 1984). “Couple of the Year” is painfully artificial. Staten Island Advance. p 27.
  15. ^ Campbell, Bob.” (December 5, 1986). “’A Delicate Balance’ is stunning. Disturbing play is excellently, gracefully acted.” Arizona Daily Star. p 43. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  16. ^ Tom McGreevey at IMDb
  17. ^ Tom McGreevey at IMDb
  18. ^ Ziggy's Gift at IMDb
  19. ^ Trailer for Airplane II: The Sequel at IMDb.
  20. ^ Stenson, Eric (December 14, 1997). “Serious preservation, not movie magic.” Central New Jersey Home News Tribune. p 38. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  21. ^ Sanderson, Emily. “Beloved actor known as 'Mr. Patches' from Cincinnati's Uncle Al show dies at 91”. WLWT. Retrieved 2025-1-4.
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