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
1958The Girl Most LikelyRed Headed Indian BoyUncredited
1959The Man in the NetBuck Ritter
1959Day of the OutlawBobby – Vic's Son
1960Toby TylerConcession WorkerUncredited
1960Chartroose CabooseJoey James
1961The Clown and the KidShawn
1967The Way WestBrownie Evans
1968The Impossible YearsAndy McClaine
1969Death of a GunfighterDan Joslin
1969The Computer Wore Tennis ShoesR. Schuyler
1972Now You See Him, Now You Don'tRichard Schuyler
1972Snowball ExpressWally Perkins
1975The Strongest Man in the WorldRichard Schuyler
1976The Shaggy D.A.Sheldon
2014A Lesson of LoveReverend(final film role)

Television appearances

Year Title Role Notes
1959Black SaddleTad MurdockEpisode: "Murdock"
1959-1961LassieMike/Joey2 episodes
1959-1960RiverboatChip Kessler17 episodes
1960The Donna Reed ShowGordieEpisode: "Someone Is Watching"
1961Dr. KildareTommy AdamsEpisode: "Hit and Run"
1961Walt Disney's Wonderful World of ColorFreddyEpisode: "Texas John Slaughter: Frank Clell's in Town"
1961Wagon TrainSonny Sherman / Boy2 episodes
1961BonanzaJeremy PasterEpisode: "Gabrielle"
1962Route 66Davey SelmanEpisode: "Shoulder the Sky, My Lad"
1962Walt Disney's Wonderful World of ColorArthur LoomisEpisode: Sammy, the Way-Out Seal: Part 1
Episode: Sammy, the Way-Out Seal: Part 2
1964Walt Disney's Wonderful World of ColorJ.D. GrayEpisode: "For Love of Willadean: A Taste of Melon"
Episode: "For Love of Willadean: Treasure in the Haunted House"
1968The InvadersEddie McKayEpisode: "The Pursued"
1969The Mod SquadEdward TimmersEpisode: "A Place to Run, a Heart to Hide In"
1970The VirginianToby WheelerEpisode: "Experiment at New Life"
1971If Tomorrow ComesHarlan PhillipsABC Movie of the Week
1972Walt Disney's Wonderful World of ColorRalphEpisode: "The Wacky Zoo of Morgan City: Part 1"
Episode: "The Wacky Zoo of Morgan City: Part 2"
1971-1972Room 222Rudy2 episodes
1972Walt Disney's Wonderful World of ColorNormanEpisode: "Michael O'Hara the Fourth: Part 1"
Episode: "Michael O'Hara the Fourth: Part 2"
1973Harry OBobbyEpísode: "Such Dust as Dreams Are Made On"
1973The WaltonsHobart 'Hobie' ShankEpisode: "The Braggart"
1977Charlie's AngelsTed BlainEpisode: "Terror on Ward One"
1977FamilySam WilkesEpisodes: 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. 1 2 3 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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