Greg Melvill-Smith (1961 – 31 May 2016) was a South African actor, director, writer and voice artist. A founding member of the South African Guild of Actors (SAGA), 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.

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

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

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

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. 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). 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.

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. His contribution to Industrial Theatre presentations was significant where he also worked as member of the Theatre Sports team. 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.

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. 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. 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".

In 1988, he made his 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.

Filmography

Year Film Role Genre Ref. 1988 Blind Justice Bar fighter Films 1988 Paradise Road Sgt. Major Smale Films 1989 Saartjie Mr. van Heerden TV series 1989 The Tattoo Chase Cameraman Films 1989 Brutal Glory Doorman Video 1989 Barney Barnato Schneider's Thug TV mini series 1990 That Englishwoman Officer in charge of farm removals Films 1990 Die Binnekring Melville TV movie 1990 Killer Instinct German Colleague Films 1991 Tödliche Geschäfte Foreman Films 1991 Die Sonkring Landdros TV series 1992 Timber Kevin Gates TV movie 1992 The Angel, the Bicycle and the Chinaman's Finger Cronin Films 1993 African Skies Sergeant TV series 1993 Tropical Heat Arthur TV series 1994 MMG Engineers Mike Thomas TV series 1994 Triptiek Majoor van Niekerk TV series 1994 Guns of Honor Haze TV movie 1994 Where Angels Tread Archer Household TV series 1995 Soweto Green Malhond Films 1995 Forgotten Hat Dad Films 1995 The Secret Force Skully Ball Films 1996 Jackpot Reg Levinson TV series 1996 Homeland George Slater TV series 1996 Rhodes Captain Widdowson TV mini series 1996 Project Shadowchaser IV Silver Films 1997 Tarzan: The Epic Adventures Harry TV series 1997 Merchant of Death Harry Films 1997 Operation Delta Force 2: Mayday Harry TV movie 1997 Black Velvet Band Harry TV movie 1997 The Legend of the Hidden City Harry TV series 1998 Sweepers Harry Films 1998 Die Vierde Kabinet Smith TV series 7de Laan Guest role TV series 1999 Iemand om lief te hê Harry TV series 1999 Cold Harvest Harry Films 1999 Dazzle Harry Films 2000 Operation Delta Force 5: Random Fire Harry Films 2001 The Sorcerer's Apprentice Mike Clark Films 2001 Mr. Bones Harry Films 2002 Arsenaal Smith TV series 2002 Hooded Angels Confederate general Films 2003 Hoodlum & Son Police Sergeant Films 2004 Oh Schuks ... I'm Gatvol! Australian Bruce Films 2004 Berserker Lead Viking Films 2004 A Case of Murder Assistant Station Master Films 2004 Drum Major Att Spengler Films 2004 Alexander Merensky TV series 2004 The Eastern Bride Michael Video 2005 Blood of Beasts Thorsson Films 2006 One Way Nathan TV series 2006 Wild at Heart Cory TV series 2006 Sibahle Wilhelm Short films 2008 Triomf AWB militant Films 2008 The Coconuts Jan TV series 2009 District 9 Interviewer Films 2010 The Bang Bang Club Jacques Hugo Films 2010 Night Drive Jack Darwin Films 2015 The Message Vorster TV movie 2015 aYeYe Wallie TV series 2015 Binnelanders Mr Edwards TV series 2015 Black Sails Admiral Hennessey TV series 2015 Roer Jou Voete Bernhardt de Witt TV series 2016 The Journey Is the Destination F. W. de Klerk Films 2016 Sokhulu & Partners Principal Ryan TV series 2016 Igazi Harry TV series Isidingo Guest role TV series

References

External links IMDb