Draft:Tom McGreevey

  1. Home
  2. Wiki
  • Comment: @Jlyeck Please see this message at your talk page. Thank you! 11WB (talk) 20:14, 6 August 2025 (UTC)
Tom McGreevey
McGreevey in 1989
Born
Thomas Aquinas McGreevey

21 July 1932
Brooklyn, New York
Died20 May 2024
Cincinnati, Ohio
EducationAcademy of Dramatic Arts
Alma materUniversity of Illinois, Urbana-Champagne
Occupation(s)actor, writer, editor, art director
Years active1959 - 1997

Thomas "Tom" Aquinas McGreevey (born July 21 1932) was an American actor whom specialise in theater, television, commercials, and feature films. His career spanned over the late 1950s to the late 1990s. Additionally, he worked for many years as an editor and art director in greeting cards, at both American Greetings and Gibson Greetings (Cincinnati, Ohio). After retiring from acting, McGreevey wrote books and articles about film history.[1] In 2024, McGreevey died at age 91.

Early life

[edit]

McGreevey was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was enlisted in the Marine Corps from 1950 to 1954, serving in Korea and Japan.[2] Subsequently, he enrolled in and graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and continued his dramatic training with Shakespearean scholar Charles H. Shattuck at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champagne.[3][4]

At the university, McGreevey appeared in many plays, including Sir Toby Belch in Shattuck's 1961 production of Twelfth Night.[5]

Career

[edit]

1960s–1970s: Early career in theater and radio hosting

[edit]

In the early 1960s, McGreevey used the stage name "Thom McGreevey," performing in summer stock with Ohio's Peninsula Players and at the Karamu House (Cleveland, Ohio).[6][7][8]

Leaving Cleveland for Cincinnati, McGreevey hosted a late-night radio show on the progressive rock station WEBN-FM (Cincinnati) and at WDAI-FM (Chicago). In the early 1970s, he transitioned to television, appearing as "Mr. Patches" on the long-running children's program, The Uncle Al Show (WCPO-TV, Cincinnati).[9][10]

In addition to providing educational segments for Uncle Al, McGreevey was the puppeteer and voice for a dozen puppets, including Mother Goose. "Mr. Patches" quickly became a local celebrity, entertaining in a patchwork jacket. As "Mr. Patches," McGreevey participated in many community activities, from Girl Scout cookie eating contests and appearances with Santa Claus to numerous fundraisers, such as the annual auction for PBS station WCET and the March of Dimes. He was featured in the opening shows of the Cincinnati Coliseum (Heritage Bank Center) in 1975 and the 1976 Bicentennial Summer Celebration at Fountain Square. He also appeared weekly on WCPO's Sunday morning children's show, "Play it Safe," hosted by police officer Bob Morgan.[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][excessive citations]

In the late 1970s, McGreevey returned to New York City and began working on several soap operas, in commercials and in print ads for many national brands, including AARP, Lipton, McDonald's and Budweiser. In Los Angeles, he appeared on General Hospital, in which he played the Scottish minister who married characters Duke Lavery and Anna Devane in 1987.[18][19][20][21][22][excessive citations]

1980s–1989: Returned to theater and TV

[edit]

In the 1980s, McGreevey returned to legitimate theater, appearing in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Melrose Theater, Los Angeles, 1981), directed by William Shatner; A Case of Libel (Melrose Theater, Los Angeles, 1983); Alienated Affections/Land of the Blind (Celebrity Centre, Los Angeles, 1983); Couple of the Year (Lambs Theater, Off-Broadway, 1983), directed by long-term artistic director of the Cincinnati Playhouse, Edward Stern; and A Delicate Balance (Arizona Theatre Company, 1986–1987).[23][24][25][26][27][excessive citations]

McGreevey worked regularly in episodic television, notably Soap, Dallas, Dynasty, Falcon Crest, Remington Steele, Fame, Simon & Simon, Hunter, The Golden Girls, Hill Street Blues and L.A. Law.

1989–1991: Acting in film

[edit]
McGreevey as "The Uncle" in The Favorite (1989)

He was also featured in the made-for-television movies and mini-series: Killer in the Mirror; Rock Hudson; Shakedown on the Sunset Strip; Polly (Disney's 1989 remake of Pollyanna); An Inconvenient Woman; and Lady Against the Odds, for which director/cinematographer Bradford Mays won an Emmy in 1992 (Cinematography for a Miniseries). McGreevey also appeared in the pilot for Shannon's Deal, written by John Sayles and directed by Lewis Teague.

The Emmy-winning short Ziggy's Gift teamed McGreevey with Ziggy's creator and former American Greetings colleague, Tom Wilson. McGreevey provided the voice for "Officer O'Connor."

McGreevey's work in feature films includes: The Favorite (1989) starring F. Murray Abraham; Angel Town (1990), the film debut of kickboxer Olivier Gruner; and The Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear (1991), in which McGreevey's character was credited as: "Very well, sir. It's from the lady." In Airplane II: The Sequel, McGreevey's role as "Karl Malden" (spoofing Malden's ads for American Express Travelers checks) was cut from the final release but can be seen in the film's trailer.

Despite a talent for comedy, McGreevey was typecast as ministers, doctors, judges and administrators. A notable exception was his stage performance in Neil Simon's God's Favorite (Marimont Players, 1973).[28]

1992: Writing and film preservation

[edit]

In 1992, McGreevey retired from acting, returning to writing and editing. In addition to authoring several articles about film history, he is the co-author of the book Movie Westerns, an introduction to the genre for middle school readers, and Our Movie Heritage, which argues for the importance of film preservation.[29]

McGreevey was also a member of MENSA, SAG and AFTRA.[30][31]

Death

[edit]

On May 20, 2024, McGreevey died at the age of 91, in Cincinnati, Ohio.[30][31]

Filmography

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Yeck, Joanne L. and Tom McGreevey (1994). Movie Westerns. Lerner Publications. p 80. ISBN: 9780822516439.
  • McGreevey, Tom and Yeck, Joanne L. (1997). Our Movie Heritage. Rutgers University Press. p 184. ISBN 9780813524313.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Kiesewetter, John. (June 3, 2024). "Actor, DJ Tom "Mr. Patches" McGreevey dies at 91." WVXU (NPR). Retrieved 2025-1-4.
  2. ^ Sanderson, Emily (May 31, 2024). "Beloved actor known as 'Mr. Patches' from Cincinnati's Uncle Al show dies at 91." WLWT. Retrieved 2025-1-4.
  3. ^ Wood, Mary (January 12, 1978). "Barnaby' becomes song-dance man. McGreevey gets role." Cincinnati Post. p. 23. Retrieved 2024-9-34.
  4. ^ Saxon, Wolfgang (September 23, 1992). "Charles H. Shattuck, 81, Shakespearean Scholar." New York Times. B:7. Retrieved 2025-1-4.
  5. ^ "1,400 High Schoolers To Attend Special Matinees of 'Twelfth Night'." (January 7, 1961), The Daily Illini. p 4. Retrieved 2024-9-24.
  6. ^ "Peninsula Players Excell in Drama; 'All My Sons'." (August 25, 1961) Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2025-1-4.
  7. ^ "John Brown Again Marches at Karamu" (January 21, 1962) Cleveland Plain Dealer. p 162. Retrieved 2024-9-24.
  8. ^ "Lively Segregation Spoof Opens at Karamu Tuesday" (September 23, 1962) Cleveland Plain Dealer. p 171. Retrieved 2025-1-4.
  9. ^ "Mr. Patches Once WEBN-FM 'Jelly Pudding' Music Host'" (August 7, 1974). 'Cincinnati Enquirer]' p 71. Retrieved 2024-9-24.
  10. ^ Kiesewetter, John. (November 1, 2022). "Put your toys away, don't delay! WCPO has an 'Uncle Al' retrospective on the way." WVXU (NPR). Retrieved 2025-1-7.
  11. ^ "A Fine Collection of media personalities. . . ." (January 16, 1976). Cincinnati Enquirer. p 8. Retrieved 2024-11-2.
  12. ^ Southern Ohio Bank Advertisement(December 6, 1974) Cincinnati Post. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  13. ^ "WCET auction" (April 21, 1973) Cincinnati Post. p 51. Retrieved 2024-6-8.
  14. ^ "Wheelathon for Youngsters to Benefit March of Dimes" (August 10, 1975). Cincinnati Enquirer. p 32. Retrieved 2024-6-7.
  15. ^ Hoffman, Steve. (September 18, 1975). "Worthwhile Bumps for Uncle Al's Pal" Cincinnati Enquirer. p 27. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  16. ^ "City to celebrate Fourth on land, air, water" (June 30, 1976) Cincinnati Post]. p 23. Retrieved 2024-7-4.
  17. ^ Play it Safe." Lost Cincinnati. Retrieved 2025-1-7.
  18. ^ Stevens, Dale (September 6, 1984)."Sleep Out Louie's to reopen as Caddy's," Cincinnati Post. p 31. Retrieved 2024-5-30.
  19. ^ Wood, Mary (January 12, 1978). "Barnaby."
  20. ^ Gardner, Jani (May 4, 1978) "Patches progress," Cincinnati Post. p 20. Retrieved 2024-6-7.
  21. ^ "TV, Radio Simulcast UA Promotion" (September 12, 1978) Cincinnati Enquirer. p 4. Retrieved 2024-6-3.
  22. ^ Sammons, Mary Beth (November 3, 1987). "For Better ... and Worse: The Making of Storybook Weddings," Soap Opera Digest. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  23. ^ "Coming Attractions." (September 4, 1981) News-Pilot. p 39. Retrieved 2024-9-24.
  24. ^ "'A Case of Libel' At Melrose." (June 24, 1983) Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-9-24.
  25. ^ "'Affections' at Celebrity Centre" (December 2, 1983) Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
  26. ^ Raidy, William A. (August 15, 1984). "'Couple of the Year' is painfully artificial." Staten Island Advance. p 27. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
  27. ^ Campbell, Bob. (December 5, 1986)."'A Delicate Balance' is stunning. Disturbing play is excellently, gracefully acted." Arizona Daily Star. p 43. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  28. ^ "'God's Favorite' Opens Players' Season" (September 13, 1976) Cincinnati Enquirer. B-11. Retrieved 2024-6-5.
  29. ^ Stenson, Eric (December 14, 1997). "Serious preservation, not movie magic." Central New Jersey Home News. p 38. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
  30. ^ a b Stevens, Dale (March 28, 1981)."Two Transplanted locals Seeking Success," Cincinnati Post. p 24. Retrieved 2024-9-24.
  31. ^ a b Jordan, Felicia (May 31, 2024). "Uncle Al Show's 'Mr. Patches' actor Tom McGreevey dies at 91." WCPO, Channel 9, Cincinnati. Retrieved 2025-1-16.
[edit]

Category:1932 births Category:Living people