Michael Francis Gregson (born 27 January 1929),^[1] known professionally asMichael Craig, is a retired British actor and screenwriter, known for his work in theatre, film and television^[2] both in the United Kingdom and in Australia.^[3]

Craig was born inPoona,British India, the son of Donald Gregson, who served in the3rd Indian Cavalry as a captain.He was the elder brother of film producer and screenwriterRichard Gregson.^[1]

Craig began his entertainment career in the theatre. His first job was as an assistant stage manager at the Castle Theatre,Farnham, England in 1950.^[4] His stage credits includeA Whistle in the Dark (Apollo Theatre, 1961),Wars of the Roses (RSC at Stratford 1963–64),Funny Girl (withBarbra Streisand at thePrince of Wales Theatre 1966),Pinter'sThe Homecoming (Music Box Theatre,Broadway 1966–67) and the lead role inTrying in Australia in 2007 and at theFinborough Theatre, London, in 2009.^[4][5]

Craig made his film debut in a non-speaking part, as an uncredited extra in 1949.^[6] He was then talent-spotted at theOxford Playhouse and gained his first speaking part in an uncredited role inMalta Story (1953). He gained his first credited role the following year in 1954, inThe Embezzler.^[7] Groomed as a star by theRank Organisation, he appeared in a number of films, includingCampbell's Kingdom (1957),Sea of Sand (1958),The Silent Enemy (1958),Sapphire (1959),Doctor in Love (1960),Cone of Silence (1960),Mysterious Island (1961),The Iron Maiden (1962),A Choice of Kings,Modesty Blaise (1966),Turkey Shoot (1982),Ride a Wild Pony (1975) andAppointment with Death (1988).^[6] He received aBAFTABest actor nomination for his performance inSea of Sand (1958).^[8] In October 1956, John Davis, managing director of Rank, announced him as one of the actors under contract that Davis thought would become an international star.^[9]

Craig's television credits includeArthur of the Britons (1973),The Emigrants (1976),Rush (1976),The Danedyke Mystery (1979),The Professionals (1980),Shoestring (1980),The Timeless Land (1980),Triangle (1981–83),Tales of the Unexpected (1982),Robin of Sherwood (1986),Doctor Who (in the serialTerror of the Vervoids 1986), the Australian seriesG.P. (1989–95),Brides of Christ (1991),Grass Roots (2000) andAlways Greener (2003).^[10] He was the subject of an hour-long interview on his life and career recorded for and broadcast onTalking Pictures TV in 2018.

Craig's scriptwriting credits include theABC-TV trilogyThe Fourth Wish (1974), which starredJohn Meillon in an award-winning performance as the father of a dying boy. Craig also wrote the screenplay for the feature filmThe Fourth Wish (1976), which was produced following the success of the television series.^[4]Alongside his co-writers, Richard Gregson (his brother) andBryan Forbes, Craig was nominated for anAcademy Award for the screenplay ofThe Angry Silence (1960).^[11]

Craig's first wife was Babette Collier. His second is the Australian actress Susan Walker.^[7] He is the father ofJessica Gregson; his brother was the film producer Richard Gregson and, because of Richard's marriage toNatalie Wood, Craig is an uncle of the actressNatasha Gregson Wagner.^{[citation needed]} His autobiography,The Smallest Giant: An Actor's Life, was published in 2005.^[12]

^[13][14]

• Michael Craig atIMDb 
• Michael Craig at theInternet Broadway Database
• Michael Craig at theBritish Film Institute^{[better source needed]}
• Review for Trying in Australia 2007

• 1929 births
• Living people
• Australian male film actors
• Australian male television actors
• British expatriate male actors in Australia
• British male film actors
• British male television actors
• British male stage actors
• British people in colonial India
• Logie Award winners
• Male actors from British India
• Male actors from Pune

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