Greg Kramer

Greg Kramer (11 March 1961 – 8 April 2013)[1] was a British-Canadian author, actor, director, and magician.[2] Born and raised in Hertfordshire, England, he emigrated to Canada in 1981 and spent the remainder of his life living in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.[2]

Greg Kramer
Born(1961-03-11)11 March 1961
Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom
Died (aged 52)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
OccupationWriter, actor, director, magician
NationalityBritish, Canadian
Period1980s–2013
Notable worksThe Pursemonger of fugu, Hogtown Bonbons, Couchwarmer

Early life

Kramer was born in Hertfordshire, England on 11 March 1961.

Career

His first novel, The Pursemonger of fugu, published by Riverbank Press in 1995,[3] was shortlisted for the City of Toronto Book Award. His other novels included Couchwarmer (1997) and Wally (2004). His short story collection Hogtown Bonbons (1999) was originally published by Xtra! in Toronto as a regular column.[1] He also wrote several theatrical plays.[1]

As an actor, he appeared regularly on the television series Forever Knight, John Woo's Once a Thief and Tales from the Neverending Story, and as a voice actor in Tripping the Rift, George and Martha and Arthur. He also had supporting roles in numerous films, including 300, The Day After Tomorrow, I'm Not There and On the Road.[1] In theatres he worked across Canada, from the Vancouver Playhouse to the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.[1]

Directing credits include Tiger's Heart at the Centaur Theatre, Marat/Sade (Dora nomination, best production), and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts in Montreal, which garnered him a Best Director MECCA award. Also a magician,[1] Kramer was the magic consultant and coach for Des McAnuff's production of The Tempest at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, featuring Christopher Plummer.[1] As a playwright, his credits included Lies of the Vampyre, Skateboard Tango, and Isadora Fabulist! written for Imago Theatre[4], as well as Queens and the Great Out Doors.

Personal life and death

Kramer was found dead in his Montreal apartment on 8 April 2013.[1] Although a cause of death was not immediately confirmed, Kramer was HIV-positive and had previously had a lung removed due to a bout of lung cancer.[5] His last play Sherlock Holmes was performed at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts in Montreal from 4 to 26 May 2013. The play, which starred Jay Baruchel in the titular role, had also cast Kramer as Inspector Lestrade.[6] The play went ahead, with fellow cast member Patrick Costello stepping in to replace Kramer as Lestrade.[7]

Kramer was openly gay.[5]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
2000WilderDugald Ferdinand
2001-2014ArthurNemo (voice)
2002AbandonAndre
2004The Day After TomorrowRAF #2
2006300Ephor #1
2007I'm Not ThereDrunk
2012On the RoadMississippi Gene

References
  1. Richard Burnett. "Remembering Greg Kramer" Archived 15 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Xtra!, 10 April 2013.
  2. "Kramer, Greg". Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia. 15 April 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  3. Cormorant Books: Greg Kramer Archived 28 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Show goes on after creator's death". The Canadian Jewish News. 19 April 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  5. "Prudes vs. Libertines" Archived 10 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Xtra! West, 14 October 2004.
  6. 'Punk-rock renaissance man' Greg Kramer dies on eve of rehearsals, The Globe and Mail, 9 April 2013.
  7. "Segal presents playwright Greg Kramer's 'final gift to the world'" Archived 2 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine. The Gazette, 4 May 2013.
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