Documentarian John McGreevy was driven by boundless curiosity
John McGreevy, a prominent Canadian documentarian, passed away at the age of 83 due to Alzheimer's disease. He overcame a challenging childhood in an orphanage in England to become a leading figure in television, producing around 130 films over three decades. His notable work includes the Cities series, which showcased various cities through the eyes of celebrities.
- ▪John McGreevy was born on August 18, 1942, and spent his early years in an orphanage in England.
- ▪He immigrated to Canada at the age of 17 and began his career at CBC.
- ▪McGreevy produced approximately 130 films, with his Cities series being particularly acclaimed.
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Open this photo in gallery:Producer John McGreevy, left, cruises the canals of Leningrad, now known as Saint Petersburg, Russia, with the actor Peter Ustinov during the filming of the Cities television series.SuppliedShareSave for laterPlease log in to bookmark this story.Log InCreate Free AccountAll his life John McGreevy had a small dent in his head caused by a sadistic nun whacking him with her keys at the orphanage in the south of England where he spent his Dickensian childhood. His parents’ names were lost with his birth certificate, though he knew that his mother was Irish Catholic – he himself had an Irish passport – and that his father was killed while fighting in the Second World War the week he was born in London, on Aug. 18, 1942.
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