John Gregson - Revision history

Kurt at 22:00, 18 February 2023

2023-02-18T22:00:18Z

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	~~{{Short description\|English actor (1919–1975)}}~~
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2016}}~~
	~~{{Use British English\|date=August 2016}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	~~\| name = John Gregson~~
	\| image = John Gregson.jpg		\| image = John Gregson.jpg
	\| caption =		\| caption =
	\| birth_name = Harold Thomas Gregson		\| birth_name = Harold Thomas Gregson
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1919\|3\|15\|df=yes}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1919\|3\|15\|df=yes}}
	\| birth_place = [[w:Liverpool\|Liverpool]], England		\| birth_place = [[Liverpool\|Liverpool]], England
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1975\|1\|8\|1919\|3\|15\|df=yes}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1975\|1\|8\|1919\|3\|15\|df=yes}}
	\| death_place = [[w:Porlock Weir\|Porlock Weir]], [[w:Somerset\|Somerset]], England		\| death_place = [[Porlock Weir\|Porlock Weir]], [[Somerset\|Somerset]], England
	\| years_active = 1945–1975		\| years_active = 1945–1975
	\| occupation = Actor		\| occupation = Actor
	\| spouse = {{marriage\|[[w:Thea Gregory\|Ida Reddish]]\|1947\|1975}}		\| spouse = {{marriage\|[[Thea Gregory\|Ida Reddish]]\|1947\|1975}}
	\| children = 6 (3 daughters, 3 sons)		\| children = 6 (3 daughters, 3 sons)
	}}		}}
	'''Harold Thomas Gregson''' (15 March 1919 – 8 January 1975), known professionally as '''John Gregson''', was an English actor of stage, television and film, with 40 credited film roles.<ref name=bfi>{{cite web \|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9ee347b3 \|title=John Gregson }}</ref> He was best known for his crime drama and comedy roles.		'''Harold Thomas Gregson''' (15 March 1919 – 8 January 1975), known professionally as '''John Gregson''', was an English actor of stage, television and film, with 40 credited film roles.<ref name=bfi>{{cite web \|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9ee347b3 \|title=John Gregson }}</ref> He was best known for his crime drama and comedy roles.

	He was credited in 40 films between 1948 and 1971, and on television from 1960 until his death. He was often cast as a police inspector or as a navy or army officer, or in comedy roles in [[w:Ealing Studios\|Ealing]] and other British films.		He was credited in 40 films between 1948 and 1971, and on television from 1960 until his death. He was often cast as a police inspector or as a navy or army officer, or in comedy roles in [[Ealing Studios\|Ealing]] and other British films.

	==Biography==		==Biography==
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	One of his first screen appearances was in the film ''[[Saraband for Dead Lovers]]'' (1948), a tearjerking romance starring [[Joan Greenwood]] and [[Stewart Granger]].<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/john-gregson-p28690/filmography \|title=John Gregson - Movies and Filmography - AllMovie \|website=AllMovie}}</ref> In the popular ''[[Scott of the Antarctic (film)\|Scott of the Antarctic]]'' (also 1948) he played [[Tom Crean (explorer)\|Tom Crean]].<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6b53fafa \|title=Scott of the Antarctic (1948) }}</ref>		One of his first screen appearances was in the film ''[[Saraband for Dead Lovers]]'' (1948), a tearjerking romance starring [[Joan Greenwood]] and [[Stewart Granger]].<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/john-gregson-p28690/filmography \|title=John Gregson - Movies and Filmography - AllMovie \|website=AllMovie}}</ref> In the popular ''[[Scott of the Antarctic (film)\|Scott of the Antarctic]]'' (also 1948) he played [[Tom Crean (explorer)\|Tom Crean]].<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6b53fafa \|title=Scott of the Antarctic (1948) }}</ref>

	Gregson could also be seen in Ealing's ''[[Whisky Galore! (1949 film)\|Whisky Galore!]]'' (1949) and ''[[Train of Events]]'' (1949), as well as ''[[The Hasty Heart]]'' (1949), ''[[Cairo Road (film)\|Cairo Road]]'' (1950), ''[[Treasure Island (1950 film)\|Treasure Island]]'' (1950) and ''[[The Lavender Hill Mob]]'' (1951).<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article78290144 \|title=Picture People \|newspaper=[[Daily News (Perth, Western Australia)\|The Daily News]] \|volume=LXVII \|issue=23,228 \|location=Western Australia \|date=22 September 1949 \|access-date=15 September 2017 \|page=14 (FINAL) \|via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He had a lead role in ''[[Angels One Five]]'' (1951), a war film.<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18504988 \|title=Comedian Tops Film Poll \|page=4 \|newspaper=Sunday Herald (Sydney, ~~NSW:~~ 1949 - 1953) \|date=1952-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.sky.com/tv/movie/angels-one-five-1951 \|title=Angels One Five }}</ref>		Gregson could also be seen in Ealing's ''[[Whisky Galore! (1949 film)\|Whisky Galore!]]'' (1949) and ''[[Train of Events]]'' (1949), as well as ''[[The Hasty Heart]]'' (1949), ''[[Cairo Road (film)\|Cairo Road]]'' (1950), ''[[Treasure Island (1950 film)\|Treasure Island]]'' (1950) and ''[[The Lavender Hill Mob]]'' (1951).<ref>{{cite news \|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article78290144 \|title=Picture People \|newspaper=[[Daily News (Perth, Western Australia)\|The Daily News]] \|volume=LXVII \|issue=23,228 \|location=Western Australia \|date=22 September 1949 \|access-date=15 September 2017 \|page=14 (FINAL) \|via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He had a lead role in ''[[Angels One Five]]'' (1951), a war film.<ref>{{cite news \|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18504988 \|title=Comedian Tops Film Poll \|page=4 \|newspaper=Sunday Herald (Sydney, NS 1949 - 1953) \|date=1952-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.sky.com/tv/movie/angels-one-five-1951 \|title=Angels One Five }}</ref>

	He was promoted to leading man for ''[[The Brave Don't Cry]]'' (1952), about a mining disaster.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/785976/index.html \|title=BFI Screenonline: Brave Don't Cry, The (1952) \|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> Gregson had the second lead in Rank's ''[[Venetian Bird]]'' and supported in ''[[The Holly and the Ivy (film)\|The Holly and the Ivy]]'' (both 1952).<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6b9ba690 \|title=Venetian Bird (1952) }}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-holly-and-the-ivy-v95434/cast-crew \|title=The Holly and the Ivy (1954) - George More O'Ferrall - Cast and Crew - AllMovie \|website=AllMovie}}</ref> He also had a leading role in another Ealing comedy, ''[[The Titfield Thunderbolt]]'' (1953).<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/441558/index.html \|title=BFI Screenonline: Titfield Thunderbolt, The (1953 )\|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref>		He was promoted to leading man for ''[[The Brave Don't Cry]]'' (1952), about a mining disaster.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/785976/index.html \|title=BFI Screenonline: Brave Don't Cry, The (1952) \|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> Gregson had the second lead in Rank's ''[[Venetian Bird]]'' and supported in ''[[The Holly and the Ivy (film)\|The Holly and the Ivy]]'' (both 1952).<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6b9ba690 \|title=Venetian Bird (1952) }}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-holly-and-the-ivy-v95434/cast-crew \|title=The Holly and the Ivy (1954) - George More O'Ferrall - Cast and Crew - AllMovie \|website=AllMovie}}</ref> He also had a leading role in another Ealing comedy, ''[[The Titfield Thunderbolt]]'' (1953).<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/441558/index.html \|title=BFI Screenonline: Titfield Thunderbolt, The (1953 )\|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref>

Kurt: /* External links */

2022-12-01T02:13:52Z

External links

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:13, 30 November 2022
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	* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080109063140/http://www.johngregson.org.uk/ Website dedicated to the work of John Gregson]		* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080109063140/http://www.johngregson.org.uk/ Website dedicated to the work of John Gregson]
	* [http://gregsonimages.co.uk/john-gregson-the-actor/ Gregson images, Barnsley]		* [http://gregsonimages.co.uk/john-gregson-the-actor/ Gregson images, Barnsley]

	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Gregson, John}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Gregson, John}}

Kurt at 16:50, 28 September 2022

2022-09-28T16:50:45Z

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	\| years_active = 1945–1975		\| years_active = 1945–1975
	\| occupation = Actor		\| occupation = Actor
	\| spouse = {{marriage\|[[w:Thea Gregory\|~~Thea Gregory~~]]\|1947\|1975}}		\| spouse = {{marriage\|[[w:Thea Gregory\|Ida Reddish]]\|1947\|1975}}
	\| children = 6 (3 daughters, 3 sons)		\| children = 6 (3 daughters, 3 sons)
	}}		}}

Kurt at 16:49, 28 September 2022

2022-09-28T16:49:53Z

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	\| years_active = 1945–1975		\| years_active = 1945–1975
	\| occupation = Actor		\| occupation = Actor
	\| spouse = {{marriage\|[[Thea Gregory]]\|1947\|1975}}		\| spouse = {{marriage\|[[w:Thea Gregory\|Thea Gregory]]\|1947\|1975}}
	\| children = 6 (3 daughters, 3 sons)		\| children = 6 (3 daughters, 3 sons)
	}}		}}

Kurt at 16:49, 28 September 2022

2022-09-28T16:49:30Z

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	\| name = John Gregson		\| name = John Gregson
	\| image = John Gregson.jpg		\| image = John Gregson.jpg
	\| caption = ~~John Gregson (top) with [[Dinah Sheridan]], [[Kenneth More]] and [[Kay Kendall]], pictured in ''[[Genevieve (film)\|Genevieve]]''~~		\| caption =
	\| birth_name = Harold Thomas Gregson		\| birth_name = Harold Thomas Gregson
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1919\|3\|15\|df=yes}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1919\|3\|15\|df=yes}}
	\| birth_place = [[Liverpool]], England		\| birth_place = [[w:Liverpool\|Liverpool]], England
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1975\|1\|8\|1919\|3\|15\|df=yes}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|1975\|1\|8\|1919\|3\|15\|df=yes}}
	\| death_place = [[Porlock Weir]], [[Somerset]], England		\| death_place = [[w:Porlock Weir\|Porlock Weir]], [[w:Somerset\|Somerset]], England
	\| years_active = 1945–1975		\| years_active = 1945–1975
	\| occupation = Actor		\| occupation = Actor
	\| spouse = {{marriage\|[[Thea Gregory]]\|1947\|1975~~\|end=his death~~}}		\| spouse = {{marriage\|[[Thea Gregory]]\|1947\|1975}}
	\| children = 6 (3 daughters, 3 sons)		\| children = 6 (3 daughters, 3 sons)
	}}		}}
	'''Harold Thomas Gregson''' (15 March 1919 – 8 January 1975), known professionally as '''John Gregson''', was an English actor of stage, television and film, with 40 credited film roles.<ref name=bfi>{{cite web \|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9ee347b3 \|title=John Gregson }}</ref> He was best known for his crime drama and comedy roles.		'''Harold Thomas Gregson''' (15 March 1919 – 8 January 1975), known professionally as '''John Gregson''', was an English actor of stage, television and film, with 40 credited film roles.<ref name=bfi>{{cite web \|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9ee347b3 \|title=John Gregson }}</ref> He was best known for his crime drama and comedy roles.

	He was credited in 40 films between 1948 and 1971, and on television from 1960 until his death. He was often cast as a police inspector or as a navy or army officer, or in comedy roles in [[Ealing Studios\|Ealing]] and other British films.		He was credited in 40 films between 1948 and 1971, and on television from 1960 until his death. He was often cast as a police inspector or as a navy or army officer, or in comedy roles in [[w:Ealing Studios\|Ealing]] and other British films.

	==Biography==		==Biography==

Kurt at 16:47, 28 September 2022

2022-09-28T16:47:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:47, 28 September 2022
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	{{Short description\|English actor (1919–1975)}}		{{Short description\|English actor (1919–1975)}}
	~~{{Other people}}~~
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2016}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2016}}
	{{Use British English\|date=August 2016}}		{{Use British English\|date=August 2016}}
	~~{{refimprove\|date=March 2013}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = John Gregson		\| name = John Gregson
	\| image = ~~John_Gregson_and_Genevieve_cast~~.jpg		\| image = John Gregson.jpg
	\| caption = John Gregson (top) with [[Dinah Sheridan]], [[Kenneth More]] and [[Kay Kendall]], pictured in ''[[Genevieve (film)\|Genevieve]]''		\| caption = John Gregson (top) with [[Dinah Sheridan]], [[Kenneth More]] and [[Kay Kendall]], pictured in ''[[Genevieve (film)\|Genevieve]]''
	\| birth_name = Harold Thomas Gregson		\| birth_name = Harold Thomas Gregson

Kurt: 1 revision imported

2022-09-28T16:42:20Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 11:42, 28 September 2022
(No difference)

en>Lord Cornwallis: /* Early postwar career */

2022-05-22T14:14:40Z

Early postwar career

New page

{{Short description|English actor (1919–1975)}}
{{Other people}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2016}}
{{refimprove|date=March 2013}}
{{Infobox person
| name = John Gregson
| image = John_Gregson_and_Genevieve_cast.jpg
| caption = John Gregson (top) with [[Dinah Sheridan]], [[Kenneth More]] and [[Kay Kendall]], pictured in ''[[Genevieve (film)|Genevieve]]''
| birth_name = Harold Thomas Gregson
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1919|3|15|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Liverpool]], England
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1975|1|8|1919|3|15|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Porlock Weir]], [[Somerset]], England
| years_active = 1945–1975
| occupation = Actor
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Thea Gregory]]|1947|1975|end=his death}}
| children = 6 (3 daughters, 3 sons)
}}
'''Harold Thomas Gregson''' (15 March 1919 – 8 January 1975), known professionally as '''John Gregson''', was an English actor of stage, television and film, with 40 credited film roles.<ref name=bfi>{{cite web |url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9ee347b3 |title=John Gregson }}</ref> He was best known for his crime drama and comedy roles.

He was credited in 40 films between 1948 and 1971, and on television from 1960 until his death. He was often cast as a police inspector or as a navy or army officer, or in comedy roles in [[Ealing Studios|Ealing]] and other British films.

==Biography==
===Early life and military service===
Born in [[Liverpool]] of Irish descent,<ref>{{cite web |title=Gregson Images, Barnsley |url=http://gregsonimages.co.uk/john-gregson-the-actor/ |date=2017-10-21}}</ref> Gregson grew up in the city's [[Wavertree]] area, where he was educated at Greenbank Road Primary School and later at [[St Francis Xavier's College, Liverpool]]. He left school at 16, working first for a telephone company, then for [[Liverpool City Council|Liverpool Corporation]], as the city council was then known, before the [[Second World War]]. During this time, he became interested in amateur dramatics, joining first the local Catholic church theatre group at St Anthony's in [[Mossley Hill]].

When war broke out, Gregson was called up and joined the [[Royal Navy]] as a sailor on [[minesweeper (ship)|minesweepers]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/01/10/archives/john-gregson-film-actor-in-genevieve-dies-at-55.html |title=John Grejson, Film Actor In 'Genevieve,' Dies at 55 |date=2 March 1975 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> At one point, his minesweeper was torpedoed and he was rescued from the sea with a knee injury.

===Early postwar career===
After being demobilised in 1945, he joined the [[Liverpool Playhouse]] for a year, before going on to [[Perth Theatre]] in [[Scotland]]. There he met his future wife, actress Ida Reddish from [[Nottingham]] (at the time using the stage name Thea Kronberg, though she later became [[Thea Gregory]]) who had recently arrived from the [[Birmingham Repertory Theatre]]. They moved to London in 1947, and married there. They eventually had three daughters and three sons. He appeared alongside [[Alec Guinness]] in the play ''[[The Human Touch]]'' in the West End. He also starred in [[Roger MacDougall]]'s comedy ''[[Macadam and Eve]]''. He later enjoyed success in [[Hugh Hastings (playwright)|Hugh Hastings]]'s play ''[[Seagulls Over Sorrento (play)|Seagulls Over Sorrento]]'' at the [[Apollo Theatre]].

One of his first screen appearances was in the film ''[[Saraband for Dead Lovers]]'' (1948), a tearjerking romance starring [[Joan Greenwood]] and [[Stewart Granger]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/john-gregson-p28690/filmography |title=John Gregson - Movies and Filmography - AllMovie |website=AllMovie}}</ref> In the popular ''[[Scott of the Antarctic (film)|Scott of the Antarctic]]'' (also 1948) he played [[Tom Crean (explorer)|Tom Crean]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6b53fafa |title=Scott of the Antarctic (1948) }}</ref>

Gregson could also be seen in Ealing's ''[[Whisky Galore! (1949 film)|Whisky Galore!]]'' (1949) and ''[[Train of Events]]'' (1949), as well as ''[[The Hasty Heart]]'' (1949), ''[[Cairo Road (film)|Cairo Road]]'' (1950), ''[[Treasure Island (1950 film)|Treasure Island]]'' (1950) and ''[[The Lavender Hill Mob]]'' (1951).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article78290144 |title=Picture People |newspaper=[[Daily News (Perth, Western Australia)|The Daily News]] |volume=LXVII |issue=23,228 |location=Western Australia |date=22 September 1949 |access-date=15 September 2017 |page=14 (FINAL) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He had a lead role in ''[[Angels One Five]]'' (1951), a war film.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18504988 |title=Comedian Tops Film Poll |page=4 |newspaper=Sunday Herald (Sydney, NSW: 1949 - 1953) |date=1952-12-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sky.com/tv/movie/angels-one-five-1951 |title=Angels One Five }}</ref>

He was promoted to leading man for ''[[The Brave Don't Cry]]'' (1952), about a mining disaster.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/785976/index.html |title=BFI Screenonline: Brave Don't Cry, The (1952) |website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> Gregson had the second lead in Rank's ''[[Venetian Bird]]'' and supported in ''[[The Holly and the Ivy (film)|The Holly and the Ivy]]'' (both 1952).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6b9ba690 |title=Venetian Bird (1952) }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-holly-and-the-ivy-v95434/cast-crew |title=The Holly and the Ivy (1954) - George More O'Ferrall - Cast and Crew - AllMovie |website=AllMovie}}</ref> He also had a leading role in another Ealing comedy, ''[[The Titfield Thunderbolt]]'' (1953).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/441558/index.html |title=BFI Screenonline: Titfield Thunderbolt, The (1953 )|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref>

===Stardom===
Gregson became a star when cast in the comedy ''[[Genevieve (film)|Genevieve]]'' (1953), also starring [[Kenneth More]], [[Dinah Sheridan]] and [[Kay Kendall]]. It was the second-most popular film of the year in Britain.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58094591 |title=From London |newspaper=[[The Mail (Adelaide)]] |volume=43 |issue=2,170 |location=South Australia |date=9 January 1954 |access-date=15 September 2017 |page=50 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

He was second-billed to [[Glynis Johns]] in a prison drama, ''[[The Weak and the Wicked]]'' (1954), another hit, and played the lead in a light drama, ''[[Conflict of Wings]]'' (1954).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-weak-and-the-wicked-v116154/cast-crew |title=The Weak and the Wicked (1954) - J. Lee Thompson - Cast and Crew - AllMovie |website=AllMovie}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sky.com/tv/movie/conflict-of-wings-1954 |title=Conflict of Wings }}</ref>

He was loaned to Adelphi Films for ''[[The Crowded Day]]'' (1954).<ref name="ink">{{cite magazine|magazine=Filmink|first=Stephen|last=Vagg|title=John Guillermin: Action Man|url=https://www.filmink.com.au/john-guillermin-action-man/|date=17 November 2020}}</ref> He followed this with ''[[To Dorothy a Son]]'' (1954), a comedy co-starring [[Shelley Winters]]; and ''[[Three Cases of Murder]]'' (1955), an omnibus film co-starring [[Orson Welles]].<ref name=bfi/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/three-cases-of-murder-v113500 |title=Three Cases of Murder (1955) - David Eady, George More O'Ferrall, Wendy Toye - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie |website=AllMovie}}</ref>

Gregson had a big hit with a war film, ''[[Above Us the Waves]]'' (1956), playing an Australian, in support of [[John Mills]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58096935 |title=BRITAIN LAUNCHES MORE SEA FILMS |newspaper=[[The Mail (Adelaide)]] |volume=44 |issue=2,209 |location=South Australia |date=9 October 1954 |access-date=15 September 2017 |page=56 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He did a comedy with [[Diana Dors]], ''[[Value for Money]]'', and a drama ''[[Jacqueline (1956 film)|Jacqueline]]'' (both 1956).<ref name=bfi/>

More successful was another war movie based on a true story, ''[[The Battle of the River Plate (film)|The Battle of the River Plate]]'' (1956) in which Gregson played [[F. S. Bell]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/440192/index.html |title=BFI Screenonline: Battle of the River Plate, The (1956) |website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> This film helped British exhibitors vote him the eighth-biggest British film star in the country for 1956.<ref>The Most Popular Film Star In Britain." Times [London, England] 7 December 1956: 3. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 11 July 2012.</ref>

He followed it with ''[[True as a Turtle]]'' (1957), a comedy;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48207120 |title=True As A Turtle |newspaper=[[The Australian Women's Weekly]] |volume=25 |issue=19 |location=Australia |date=16 October 1957 |access-date=15 September 2017 |page=58 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and ''[[Miracle in Soho]]'' (1957), a drama.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/712912/index.html |title=BFI Screenonline: Miracle in Soho (1957) |website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> That year he was the fourth-biggest British star.<ref name=mcrguardian>British Actors Head Film Poll: Box-Office Survey', The Manchester Guardian (1901–59) [Manchester (UK)] 27 December 1957: 3.</ref> The following year he was eighth, his last year in the top ten; his films included ''[[Rooney (film)|Rooney]]'' (1958), a comedy in which he played an Irish sportsman; ''[[Sea of Sand]]'' (1958), a war film; and ''[[The Captain's Table]]'' (1959) a comedy.<ref name=bfi/>

He supported in ''[[SOS Pacific]]'' and ''[[Hand in Hand (film)|Hand in Hand]]'' (both 1960), but was top-billed in ''[[Faces in the Dark]]'' (1960) and ''[[The Frightened City]]'' (1961).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6b6846ae |title=S O S Pacific (1959) }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/hand-in-hand-v94213/cast-crew |title=Hand in Hand (1960) - Philip Leacock - Cast and Crew - AllMovie |website=AllMovie}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-frightened-city-v92384/cast-crew |title=The Frightened City (1961) - John Lemont - Cast and Crew - AllMovie |website=AllMovie}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/faces-in-the-dark-v90853/cast-crew |title=Faces in the Dark (1960) - David Eady - Cast and Crew - AllMovie |website=AllMovie}}</ref> He had a support role in ''[[The Treasure of Monte Cristo]]'' (1961) and was one of many names in ''[[The Longest Day (film)|The Longest Day]]'' (1962).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6b8e1958 |title=The Treasure of Monte Cristo (1961) }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-longest-day-v29958/cast-crew |title=The Longest Day (1962) - Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, Bernhard Wicki - Cast and Crew - AllMovie |website=AllMovie}}</ref>

Gregson's final film roles of note were ''[[Live Now, Pay Later]]'' (1962) and ''[[Tomorrow at Ten]]'' (1962).<ref name=bfi/>

===Later career===
His film career faded after ten good years from 1952–1962.<ref>D. Quinlan, ''Quinlan's Illustrated Directory of Film Stars'' (1986 edition), p.179.</ref> He was one of many leading men and women of the 1950s (the others including Kenneth More, Richard Todd, Patrick Holt, Michael Craig, Sylvia Syms and Muriel Pavlow) who struggled to maintain their status as leads beyond the early 1960s. From 1963 onwards, Gregson never played another leading film role.

Gregson also worked on TV. In [[Ivor Brown]]'s BBC TV play ''William's Other Anne'' he played [[William Shakespeare]] revisiting his first girlfriend [[Anne Whateley]].<ref>[http://english.oxfordjournals.org/content/9/53/179.full.pdf Thespis, Plays, Films, Television, ''English'', Summer 1953; 9: 179 – 18]{{dead link|date=May 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

TV work became increasingly important to him from the mid-60s. He starred as Commander [[George Gideon]] in the 26 episodes of the series ''[[Gideon's Way]]'' (1964–66) (known as ''Gideon C.I.D.'' in America).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57961041 |title=Gideon, TV's new detective |newspaper=[[The Australian Women's Weekly]] |volume=33 |issue=21 |location=Australia |date=20 October 1965 |access-date=15 September 2017 |page=15 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

He also appeared in ''[[The Saint (TV series)|The Saint]]'' with [[Roger Moore]] and a popular comedy adventure series with [[Shirley MacLaine]], ''[[Shirley's World]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aveleyman.com/TVEpisode.aspx?FilmID=302&Episode=19661230|title=The Saint: S5|website=www.aveleyman.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/john-gregson/credits/157975/|title=John Gregson|website=TVGuide.com}}</ref> He took over from Kenneth More in long-running TV adverts for coffee on British television.

He appeared in ''[[It's the Geography That Counts]]'', the last play at the [[St James's Theatre]] before its closure in 1957.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theatricalia.com/play/473/its-the-geography-that-counts/production/vtq|title=Production of It's The Geography That Counts - Theatricalia|website=theatricalia.com}}</ref>

==Death==
John Gregson died suddenly from a [[myocardial infarction|heart attack]] near [[Porlock Weir]], [[Somerset]], aged 55, whilst on holiday, walking on the path to [[Culbone Church|St. Beuno's Church]], [[Culbone]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110632572 |title=Festival film |newspaper=[[The Canberra Times]] |volume=49 |issue=13,961 |location=Australian Capital Territory, Australia |date=11 January 1975 |access-date=15 September 2017 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He left a widow, Thea Gregory, and six children.

His final television role was in the [[Southern Television]] serial ''Dangerous Knowledge'', which was broadcast posthumously in 1976. His body was interred at Sunbury Cemetery, [[Sunbury-on-Thames]], [[Surrey]] near his family home at Creek House, Chertsey Road, [[Shepperton]].<ref>[http://content.yudu.com/Library/A213g5/February2013Sheppert/resources/4.htm ''Shepperton Matters: Famous People of Shepperton'' Issue 17 February 2013 page 4] Nick Pollard of Sunbury and Shepperton Local History Society</ref>

==Complete filmography==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*''[[London Belongs to Me]]'' (1948) - (uncredited)
*''[[Saraband for Dead Lovers]]'' (1948) - (uncredited)
*''[[Scott of the Antarctic (film)|Scott of the Antarctic]]'' (1948) - [[Tom Crean (explorer)|P.O. T. Crean R.N.]]
*''[[Whisky Galore! (1949 film)|Whisky Galore!]]'' (1949) - Sammy MacCodrun
*''[[Train of Events]]'' (1949) - Malcolm Murray-Bruce (segment "The Composer")
*''[[The Hasty Heart]]'' (1949) - Raw recruit in jungle (uncredited)
*''[[Cairo Road (film)|Cairo Road]]'' (1950) - Coast Guardsman
*''[[Treasure Island (1950 film)|Treasure Island]]'' (1950) - Redruth
*''[[The Lavender Hill Mob]]'' (1951) - Farrow
*''[[Angels One Five]]'' (1952) - Pilot Officer 'Septic' Baird
*''[[The Brave Don't Cry]]'' (1952) - John Cameron
*''[[Venetian Bird]]'' (1952) - Renzo Uccello
*''[[The Holly and the Ivy (film)|The Holly and the Ivy]]'' (1952) - David Paterson
*''[[The Titfield Thunderbolt]]'' (1953) - Gordon
*''Captain Brassbound's Conversion'' (1953 TV movie) - Captain Brassbound
*''[[Genevieve (film)|Genevieve]]'' (1953) - Alan McKim
*''[[The Weak and the Wicked]]'' (1954) - Dr. Michael Hale
*''[[Conflict of Wings]]'' (1954) - Cpl. Bill Morris
*''[[The Crowded Day]]'' (1954) - Leslie
*''[[To Dorothy a Son]]'' (1954) - Tony Rapallo
*''[[Three Cases of Murder]]'' (1955) - Edgar Curtain ("You Killed Elizabeth" segment)
*''[[Above Us the Waves]]'' (1955) - Lt Alec Duffy
*''[[Value for Money]]'' (1955) - Chayley Broadbent
*''[[Jacqueline (1956 film)|Jacqueline]]'' (1956) - Mike McNeil
*''[[The Battle of the River Plate (film)|The Battle of the River Plate]]'' (1956) - Captain Bell - H.M.S. Exeter
*''[[True as a Turtle]]'' (1957) - Tony Hudson
*''[[Miracle in Soho]]'' (1957) - Michael Morgan
*''[[Rooney (film)|Rooney]]'' (1958) - James Ignatius Rooney
*''[[Sea of Sand]]'' (1958) - Capt. Williams
*''[[The Captain's Table]]'' (1959) - Capt. Albert Ebbs
*''[[SOS Pacific]]'' (1959) - Jack Bennett
*''[[Hand in Hand (film)|Hand in Hand]]'' (1960) - Father Timothy
*''[[Faces in the Dark]]'' (1960) - Richard Hammond
*''[[The Frightened City]]'' (1961) - Det. Insp. Sayers
*''[[The Treasure of Monte Cristo]]'' (1961) - Renato
*''[[The Longest Day (film)|The Longest Day]]'' (1962) - British Padre
*''[[Live Now, Pay Later]]'' (1962) - Callendar
*''[[Tomorrow at Ten]]'' (1962) - Detective Chief Inspector Parnell
*''[[The Night of the Generals]]'' (1967) - Colonel Sandauer
*''Hans Brinker'' (1969 TV movie) - Mijnheer Brinker
*''Speaking of Murder'' (1971 TV movie) - Charles Ashton
*''[[Fright (film)|Fright]]'' (1971) - Dr. Cordell
{{div col end}}

==Box office rankings==
For several years British exhibitors listed Gregson as one of the most popular local stars at the box office.
*1956 – 9th most popular British star<ref>"The Most Popular Film Star In Britain." Times [London, England] 7 December 1956: 3. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 11 July 2012.</ref>
*1957 – 4th most popular British star (7th overall)<ref name=mcrguardian/>
*1958 – 8th

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|id=0339992|name=John Gregson}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080109063140/http://www.johngregson.org.uk/ Website dedicated to the work of John Gregson]
* [http://gregsonimages.co.uk/john-gregson-the-actor/ Gregson images, Barnsley]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gregson, John}}
[[Category:1919 births]]
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[[Category:English male film actors]]
[[Category:English male stage actors]]
[[Category:English male television actors]]
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[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
[[Category:British male comedy actors]]
[[Category:English people of Irish descent]]
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