Michael McGreevey

Michael McGreevey
Michael McGreevey
Born (1948-02-07) February 7, 1948
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
OccupationsActor, screenwriter

Michael McGreevey (born February 7, 1948) is an American actor and screenwriter. As a child and young adult, he appeared in numerous Disney productions, including the Dexter Riley comedies, and in films such as The Way West (1967). He later transitioned into television writing, contributing to series including The Waltons, Quincy, M.E., and Fame, where he also served as script editor and creative consultant. In 1984 he received a Daytime Emmy nomination for co-writing an ABC Afterschool Special, and in 2015 he co-wrote the documentary Earl Hamner Storyteller. He is the son of Emmy Award-winning screenwriter John McGreevey.

Career

McGreevey's first major role was as cabin boy Chip Kessler in the 1959–61 TV series Riverboat.[1] He later remarked that stars Darren McGavin and Burt Reynolds often clashed, saying "they were just two very different personalities," but added that McGavin became a father figure and Reynolds "like a big brother" who even gave him his first football.[2]

During the 1960s and 1970s, McGreevey appeared frequently on Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color[3] and in the Dexter Riley comedies—The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969), Now You See Him, Now You Don't (1972), and The Strongest Man in the World (1975)—as Dexter's friend Richard Schuyler.[4] He also appeared in Snowball Express (1972) and The Shaggy D.A. (1976), both starring Dean Jones.

Outside of Disney, McGreevey guest-starred on series including The Virginian, Bonanza, and Route 66. His feature film work included The Way West (1967), where he played Brownie Evans, a pioneer who marries Sally Field's character.[5]

After studying film at UCLA, McGreevey co-wrote the 1978 made-for-TV movie Ruby and Oswald with his father. He described it as "a three-way depiction of those four days in Dallas," blending documentary footage of President Kennedy with dramatizations of Ruby and Oswald. The project was sold to CBS with director Mel Stuart attached.[2]

McGreevey later wrote episodes of The Waltons, Quincy, M.E., and Fame, eventually becoming script editor and creative consultant on the latter.[6] In 1984, he earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for co-writing the ABC Afterschool Special "The Celebrity and the Arcade Kid".[7] He later co-wrote the 2015 documentary Earl Hamner Storyteller, focusing on the creator of The Waltons.[2]

Filmography

Film appearances

Year Title Role Notes
1958 The Girl Most Likely Red Headed Indian Boy Uncredited
1959 The Man in the Net Buck Ritter
1959 Day of the Outlaw Bobby – Vic's Son
1960 Toby Tyler Concession Worker Uncredited
1960 Chartroose Caboose Joey James
1961 The Clown and the Kid Shawn
1967 The Way West Brownie Evans
1968 The Impossible Years Andy McClaine
1969 Death of a Gunfighter Dan Joslin
1969 The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes R. Schuyler
1972 Now You See Him, Now You Don't Richard Schuyler
1972 Snowball Express Wally Perkins
1975 The Strongest Man in the World Richard Schuyler
1976 The Shaggy D.A. Sheldon
2014 A Lesson of Love Reverend (final film role)

Television appearances

Year Title Role Notes
1959 Black Saddle Tad Murdock Episode: "Murdock"
1959-1961 Lassie Mike/Joey 2 episodes
1959-1960 Riverboat Chip Kessler 17 episodes
1960 The Donna Reed Show Gordie Episode: "Someone Is Watching"
1961 Dr. Kildare Tommy Adams Episode: "Hit and Run"
1961 Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color Freddy Episode: "Texas John Slaughter: Frank Clell's in Town"
1961 Wagon Train Sonny Sherman / Boy 2 episodes
1961 Bonanza Jeremy Paster Episode: "Gabrielle"
1962 Route 66 Davey Selman Episode: "Shoulder the Sky, My Lad"
1962 Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color Arthur Loomis Episode: Sammy, the Way-Out Seal: Part 1
Episode: Sammy, the Way-Out Seal: Part 2
1964 Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color J.D. Gray Episode: "For Love of Willadean: A Taste of Melon"
Episode: "For Love of Willadean: Treasure in the Haunted House"
1968 The Invaders Eddie McKay Episode: "The Pursued"
1969 The Mod Squad Edward Timmers Episode: "A Place to Run, a Heart to Hide In"
1970 The Virginian Toby Wheeler Episode: "Experiment at New Life"
1972 Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color Ralph Episode: "The Wacky Zoo of Morgan City: Part 1"
Episode: "The Wacky Zoo of Morgan City: Part 2"
1971-1972 Room 222 Rudy 2 episodes
1972 Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color Norman Episode: "Michael O'Hara the Fourth: Part 1"
Episode: "Michael O'Hara the Fourth: Part 2"
1973 Harry O Bobby Epísode: "Such Dust as Dreams Are Made On"
1973 The Waltons Hobart 'Hobie' Shank Episode: "The Braggart"
1977 Charlie's Angels Ted Blain Episode: "Terror on Ward One"
1977 Family Sam Wilkes Episodes: Part 1 & 2 Jury Duty

References

  1. ^ Kotar, S.L. and J.E. Gessler (2015). Riverboat: The Evolution of a Television Series 1959-1961. BearManor Media. ISBN 978-1-59393-505-4.
  2. ^ a b c Rick29 (March 26, 2015). "An Interview with Michael McGreevey: The Actor-Writer Discusses Riverboat, Disney, the Fame TV Series, and The Waltons". Classic Film & TV Cafe. Retrieved July 21, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Cotter, Bill (1997). The Wonderful World of Disney Television: A Complete History. Disney Editions. ISBN 978-0786863594.
  4. ^ Armstrong, Richard B. and Mary Willems Armstrong (October 1, 2000). Encyclopedia of Film Themes, Settings and Series. McFarland & Co., Inc. Publishers. p. 169. ISBN 9780786408931.
  5. ^ Gasca, Melissa (July 3, 2010). "Michael McGreevey: A Local's 'Dramatic' Comeback". The Santa Clarita Valley Signal. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  6. ^ Hoey, Michael A. (2010). Inside Fame on Television: A Behind-the-Scenes History. McFarland & Co., Inc. Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7864-4665-0.
  7. ^ "Daytime Emmy Awards (1984)". Internet Movie Database.
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