British actor Stephen Greif, best known to American audiences for his role in “The Crown”, has died at the age of 78, a representative said on Monday.
The character actor played the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sir Bernard Weatherill, during the fourth season of the hit Netflix drama about the British royal family.
The English actor, born in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, left two sons.
Greif has enjoyed an intensive profession on stage and screen, starting in the late Sixties with Britain’s prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company. He has been nominated for varied awards, including an Olivier Award in 1979 for his role as Biff in the National Theatre’s play Death of a Salesman.
On television, Greif is principally known to British audiences for his role as Space Commander Travis in the Seventies sci-fi series Blake’s 7 and for his role as pub owner Harry Fenning on the sitcom Citizen Smith. He has also appeared on British television establishments similar to “Coronation Street”, “EastEnders” and “Doctor Who”.
Greif’s death led to an outpouring of best wishes – and sadness – from colleagues and family members.
“I used to be very saddened that Stephen Greif had left us. A rock-solid performer with a voice as fluid and deadly as molten lava. When it got here to playing villains, he had no equal. His sharp wit and obvious intelligence made him a joy to direct. Thanks for the fun, Stephen,” director Barnaby Edwards (“Doctor Who”) tweeted.
![Grief was a prolific character actor, appearing in 2005](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/stephen-greif-dead-670.jpeg?w=1024)
![Greif in the early 1980s on ITV](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/stephen-greif-dead-671.jpeg?w=1024)
Phil Davis, best known for “Sherlock” and “Whitechapel”, he wrote“Very sad, a excellent actor and a sort and sensitive man. We played a bit of golf together. TEAR.”
“Such sad news,” said David Kennedy, star of the British TV series “Hollyoaks”. “I’ve only worked with Stephen once… He was a consummate skilled and an absolute gentleman. RIP sir and condolences to his family.”
The cause of death was not given.