Greg Melvill-Smith

Greg Melvill-Smith (1961 – 31 May 2016), was a South African actor, director, writer and voice artist.[1][2] A founding member of the South African Guild of Actors (SAGA),[3] Melvill-Smith is best known for the roles in the television serials such as; Die Vierde Kabinet, 7de Laan, One Way and Isidingo as well as many stage plays across the country.[4][5]

Greg Melvill-Smith
Born
Greg Melvill-Smith

1961
Died31 May 2016 (aged 55)
Johannesburg, South Africa
Alma materTshwane University of Technology
Occupation(s)Actor, Director, Writer, Voice artist
Years active1985–2016
SpouseKenda Melvill-Smith
Children2

Personal life

Melvill-Smith was born in 1961 in South Africa.[6] In 1984, he completed the National Diploma in Drama at Pretoria Technikon (currently known as Tshwane University of Technology).[7]

He was married to Kenda and was a father of two daughters: Kaila and Natasha.[8]

In October 2015, Melvill-Smith was diagnosed with cancer.[6] He died on 31 May 2016 at the age of 55 from liver and kidney cancer.[8] The memorial service was held on 4 June 2016 at St Peter's Prep School Chapel, Wittkoppen Road in Johannesburg.[9]

Career

After completing the diploma, he joined the Loft Theatre Company at NAPAC in 1985. Then he performed in many stage plays for three years under the company. Then he moved to Johannesburg in 1988 and worked as a freelance actor.[9] Since then, he acted in many theatre plays such as; The Queen (1995), Love! Valour! Compassion! (1996), King Lear (1998), Vlerkdans (1999), Anthony and Cleopatra (1999) and Sella ou Storie (2004).[6] In 2005, he appeared in Horror Scope at the Grahamstown Festival where he played the role "Tchaikovsky" in a Salon Music production in Pretoria. Then in 2008, he performed in an Actors Centre production Faustus.[7]

In the meantime, he made notable roles in the two plays: Kwamanzi and Horn of Sorrow, both made European tours. He then wrote and directed the stage play Walking Tall. Besides, he directed the operas such as Don Pasquale in 2001, and then Lucia Di Lamamoor and De Fledermaus in 2002.[6] His contribution to Industrial Theatre presentations was significant where he also worked as member of the Theatre Sports team.[9] He conducted Environmental Theatre Workshops, for about six years. In the meantime, he was also involved in Early Man workshops deals with anthropological heritage of South Africa.[7]

As a presenter, he worked on the television program In Touch. In 1991, he appeared in the TV1 drama Die Sonkring with the role "Landdros". After that, he made notable appearances in the serials; 7de Laan, Wild at Heart and The Coconuts.[7][10] In 2006, he joined with the cast of SABC3 drama serial One Way. He continued to play the role "Nathan" in the second season as well.[9] In 2015, he acted in the Vuzu Amp serial aYeYe with the role "Wallie". Then he made a supportive role of "Mr Edwards" in the eleventh season of kykNET soap opera Binnelanders. In the same year, he joined with the second season of Hollywood period drama adventure serial Black Sails and played the role "Admiral Hennessey".[11]

In 1988, he made film debut with the role of "bar fighter" in the film Blind Justice. Since then he acted in many feature films, such as; The Sorcerer's Apprentice for Peakviewing Productions, Mr Bones, Drum, The Bang Bang Club, Night Drive and District 9.[12]

Filmography

YearFilmRoleGenreRef.
1988Blind JusticeBar fighterFilms
1988Paradise RoadSgt. Major SmaleFilms
1989SaartjieMr. van HeerdenTV series
1989The Tattoo ChaseCameramanFilms
1989Brutal GloryDoormanVideo
1989Barney BarnatoSchneider's ThugTV mini series
1990That EnglishwomanOfficer in charge of farm removalsFilms
1990Die BinnekringMelvilleTV movie
1990Killer InstinctGerman ColleagueFilms
1991Tödliche GeschäfteForemanFilms
1991Die SonkringLanddrosTV series
1992TimberKevin GatesTV movie
1992The Angel, the Bicycle and the Chinaman's FingerCroninFilms
1993African SkiesSergeantTV series
1993Tropical HeatArthurTV series
1994MMG EngineersMike ThomasTV series
1994TriptiekMajoor van NiekerkTV series
1994Guns of HonorHazeTV movie
1994Where Angels TreadArcher HouseholdTV series
1995Soweto GreenMalhondFilms
1995Forgotten HatDadFilms
1995The Secret ForceSkully BallFilms
1996JackpotReg LevinsonTV series
1996HomelandGeorge SlaterTV series
1996RhodesCaptain WiddowsonTV mini series
1996Project Shadowchaser IVSilverFilms
1997Tarzan: The Epic AdventuresHarryTV series
1997Merchant of DeathHarryFilms
1997Operation Delta Force 2: MaydayHarryTV movie
1997Black Velvet BandHarryTV movie
1997The Legend of the Hidden CityHarryTV series
1998SweepersHarryFilms
1998Die Vierde KabinetSmithTV series
7de LaanGuest roleTV series
1999Iemand om lief te hêHarryTV series
1999Cold HarvestHarryFilms
1999DazzleHarryFilms
2000Operation Delta Force 5: Random FireHarryFilms
2001The Sorcerer's ApprenticeMike ClarkFilms
2001Mr. BonesHarryFilms
2002ArsenaalSmithTV series
2002Hooded AngelsConfederate generalFilms
2003Hoodlum & SonPolice SergeantFilms
2004Oh Schuks ... I'm Gatvol!Australian BruceFilms
2004BerserkerLead VikingFilms
2004A Case of MurderAssistant Station MasterFilms
2004DrumMajor Att SpenglerFilms
2004PlatinumAlexander MerenskyTV series
2004The Eastern BrideMichaelVideo
2005Blood of BeastsThorssonFilms
2006One WayNathanTV series
2006Wild at HeartCoryTV series
2006SibahleWilhelmShort films
2008TriomfAWB militantFilms
2008The CoconutsJanTV series
2009District 9InterviewerFilms
2010The Bang Bang ClubJacques HugoFilms
2010Night DriveJack DarwinFilms
2015The MessageVorsterTV movie
2015aYeYeWallieTV series
2015BinnelandersMr EdwardsTV series
2015Black SailsAdmiral HennesseyTV series
2015Roer Jou VoeteBernhardt de WittTV series
2016The Journey Is the DestinationF. W. de KlerkFilms
2016Sokhulu & PartnersPrincipal RyanTV series
2016IgaziHarryTV series
IsidingoGuest roleTV series

References

  1. "South African actor dies". Channel. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. "Actor Greg Melvill-Smith died surrounded by family and friends". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  3. "Former 7de Laan actor dies: eNCA". www.enca.com. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  4. "South Africa: The Passing of a Gentle Giant Greg Melvill-Smith". allafrica. Archived from the original on 14 June 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  5. "SA veteran actor Greg Melvill-Smith dies". All4Women. 2 June 2016. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  6. "Greg Melvill-Smith - ESAT". esat.sun.ac.za. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  7. "Greg Melvill-Smith: TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  8. "TV with Thinus: Greg Melvill-Smith, actor and founding member of the South African Guild of Actors (SAGA), has died from liver cancer, age 55". TV with Thinus. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  9. ARTSMART. "DEATH OF GREG MELVILL-SMITH". Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  10. "Actor Greg Melvill-Smith has died". SowetanLIVE. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  11. Filmstarts. "Filmografie von Greg Melvill-Smith". FILMSTARTS.de (in German). Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  12. "Greg Melvill-Smith". MUBI. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
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