| Walter Greaza | |
| Birth Name: | Walter Noel Greaza |
| Birth Date: | January 1, 1897 |
| Birth Place: | St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Kew Gardens, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation: | Actor |
| Years Active: | 1946 - 1965 |
Walter Noel Greaza (pronounced Gree-zay; January 1, 1897 - June 1, 1973) was an American television, radio, stage and film actor.
Greaza was born on January 1, 1897, in St Paul, Minnesota, 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 in 1942[1] and was assistant executive secretary of Actors Equity in 1943.[2]
In 1948 he married Helene Ambrose.[3] They remained wed until her death in 1966.[4]
Greaza was president of The Lambs from 1953 to 1956.
Greaza died at the Kew Gardens General Hospital on June 1, 1973, from cardiac arrest.[5]
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).[6]
Greaza's film credits include: 13 Rue Madeleine (1947), Call Northside 777 (1948), The Street with No Name (1948), New Mexico (1951), and It Happened to Jane (1959).
On television, Greaza starred as The chief on Treasury Men in Action (1950–55)[7] and portrayed Winston Grimsley on The Edge of Night (from 1956 until his death).[8] His other TV credits include: The Philco Television Playhouse (1949), Martin Kane, Private Eye (1951), Hallmark Hall of Fame (1956), The Phil Silvers Show (1958), and The United States Steel Hour (1961–62).[8]
On radio, Greaza starred as Steve Wilson in Big Town.[9] He also played Inspector Ross on Crime Doctor, and Russ in Lora Lawton and had supporting roles in The FBI in Peace and War.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | The Story of Kenneth W. Randall, M.D. | Sidney Duncan | |
| 13 Rue Madeleine | Psychiatrist | Uncredited | |
| 1947 | Boomerang | Mayor Swayze | Uncredited |
| 1948 | Call Northside 777 | Police Capt. Norris | Uncredited |
| The Street with No Name | Police Lt. Paul Staller | ||
| Larceny | Mr. Owens | ||
| 1949 | The Great Gatsby | Kinsella | |
| 1950 | Mama | Carter Lusan | 2 episodes |
| 1950-1955 | Treasury Men in Action | The Chief | Main role |
| 1951 | New Mexico | Col. McComb | |
| 1956-1969 | The Edge of Night | Winston Grimsley | Series regular |
| 1958 | The Phil Silvers Show | The Judge/Capt. Spencer | 2 episodes |
| 1959 | It Happened to Jane | Crawford Sloan | |
| 1961-1965 | The Defenders | Magistrate Fred Moriarity/Judge | 4 episodes |