John Grieve | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 14 June 1924 |
| Died | 21 January 2003 (aged 78) Glasgow, Scotland |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Occupation | Actor |
John Grieve (14 June 1924 – 21 January 2003) was a Scottish actor, best known as the engineer Macphail in the BBC adaptation of Neil Munro's Para Handy stories, Para Handy - Master Mariner (1959–60), returning to that role in the BBC Scotland version, The Vital Spark (1965–67, 1973–74).[1]
Born in Maryhill, Glasgow, Grieve attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, before joining the Citizens Theatre in 1951.[1][2] Grieve worked in variety alongside many familiar Scottish comedians, including Stanley Baxter and Jimmy Logan.[3] Although principally known for his comic roles, he appeared in drama films such as The Thirty-Nine Steps (1978), Eye of the Needle (1981) and the BBC docudrama Square Mile of Murder (1980).[4][5] His stage roles include the part of the King's Jester in the premier of The Burning (1971) by Stewart Conn.
He had a brief recurring role as Frank Marker's probation officer in the Thames Television series Public Eye.[6] He played Sandy Duncanson in BBC's adaptation of Neil Munro's The New Road, in a BBC drama about the Union of the Parliaments in 1707 he played John Hamilton, 2nd Lord Belhaven and Stenton who delivered a controversial speech against the Union, and appeared on BBC Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations,[7][8] one of which (Into '85) was broadcast nationally from Gleneagles and became notorious for Grieve, apparently worse the wear with alcohol, unable to recite a brief poem and collapsing into laughter, along with other shambolic incidents featured in the same programme. The BBC as a result did not broadcast Hogmanay-themed programmes thereafter.[9][10]
He appeared in two episodes (eleven years apart) in the television series All Creatures Great and Small as Dr. Harry Allinson,[11] whose practice was next door to Skeldale House.
