Here is the biography of Stephen Greif:
Stephen Greif was born on August 26, 1944, in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire. He is an Honours graduate from The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He is also a recent and past Member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and a Laurence Olivier and London Critics Circle award-winning nominee for his work at The National Theatre over many years. He has often appeared in the West End and at The Old Vic.
His grandparents were from Budapest, Lithuania, Russia, and Poland. His father, Franz, was born in Vienna, and his mother, Polly, was born in the East End of London. He attended Hordle House Preparatory School for two years with his older brother, Anthony, and his younger brother, Peter. However, in 1955, when his father's partnership was defrauded, and the family endured severe financial hardship, he and Peter were enrolled in Primary School in the London area of Ladbroke Grove, then a run-down part of London.
He went on to Sloane Grammar School in Chelsea, where he excelled in sport, becoming the school's Athletics and Swimming champion, representing his school and county in various London and Regional athletics championships, including the famous White City Stadium.
He lived, studied, and worked in Paris for two consecutive summers before leaving school.
He played Captain Hook at primary school, and his love of acting was rekindled during a brief spell at The Regent Polytechnic. After brief times working for an electronics manufacturer (where he nearly electrocuted himself) and as a junior negotiator in a West End real estate agency, he finally determined to become an actor.
Having been offered places at LAMDA and RADA, he chose the latter, where he won a first-class Honours Diploma, as well as receiving five other awards, including the prestigious Kendal Award (the Gold Medal equivalent) and others judged and presented by Sir John Gielgud.
Hugh Cruttwell, the long-time and much-revered principal of RADA, wrote in Greif's graduation report: "By sheer hard work, a most receptive willingness to learn, and a very intelligent application of his gifts, he has developed almost unrecognizably in the last 18 months. The Honours he has won are proof enough of his fine achievement here, and it only remains for me to wish him the great success he richly deserves."
His first job was with the RSC at Stratford and in the United States, after which he joined The Prospect Theatre Co in their acclaimed productions of Richard II and Edward II, with Ian McKellen, which toured the United Kingdom and Europe, as well as playing two seasons in the West End and televised for BBC TV.
He has appeared in many seasons with the National Theatre in both Sir Laurence Olivier's companies at the Old Vic and in the West End. At The Old Vic, he played in "The Merchant of Venice" (with Olivier),"Long Day's Journey into Night" (also with Olivier),"A Woman Killed with Kindness", "Danton's Death", "Richard II", "The Front Page", "School for Scandal", and "Macbeth".
