Sidney Greenstreet, Portrayer of Shrewd Villainy

Sidney Greenstreet was as unforgettable as he was unmistakeable. His large frame seemed to threaten to take over any scene in which he appeared and underlined the menace and authority which many of his roles demanded.

Born in Kent in South East England in 1879, Greenstreet left home when he was eighteen to seek his fortune as a tea planter in Ceylon, but was forced to return home within a few years after severe drought blighted his crops.
He turned to his first love and made his acting debut in Ramsgate, Kent in 'Sherlock Holmes' in 1902. His talent was obvious and he played for the next forty years in a variety of genres, ranging from Shakespeare to light comedy, firstly through Britain and then round America.

He received many offers to appear in movies but always turned them down until at the relatively advanced age of 62  in 1941 he agreed to appear in 'The Maltese Falcon' with Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre. His success was instantaneous he he found himself a Hollywood star. He became a specialist at portraying a certain kind of subtle malevolence in movies such as 'Casablanca' in 1942, 'Passage to Marseille' in 1944 and 'The Verdict' in 1946.

His movie career ended due to ill health after just eight years during which he worked with stars such as George Raft,  Clark Gable, Ava Gardner and Joan Crawford.

Sidney Greenstreet died in 1954 due to complications from diabetes. He was a unique actor. There will never be another like him.

The Maltese Falcon with Humphrey Bogart and Peter Lorre

Casablanca with Humphrey Bogart

For more information on Siney Greenstreet visit Hollywood's Golden Age