John Grima
Born on Main St. Rabat, Malta, in 1933. Immigrated to Canada in 1951, (bound for San Francisco, California.)
Educated at Mdina Boys' School and technical school in Malta, as well as in Toronto, Canada.
John's interest in the theatre began by performing for the neighbourhood, refugee children, in Rabat, Malta, during World War II, as well as performing in school productions on stage, e.g., the Radio City theatre in Hamrun, Malta.
A few months after he arrived in Toronto, he fell in love with a young Canadian lady, and decided to settle in Canada.
After returning home from a trip to Hollywood in 1956, he enrolled in the Medhurst Theatre School for a four years course. He studied acting, scene study technique, cold reading, voice, makeup etc. There he starred in "Macbeth"; "Romeo and Juliet"; "Beauty and the Beast"; as Heamon in "Antigone", and many more. He received two scholarships.
In 1957, he made his professional acting debut in Shakespeare's, "King Lear", at the Crest theatre in Toronto. He went on to perform at the Royal Alexandra theatre; Heart House theatre; played the part of, Messenger, in Kafka's, "The Trial", at the Collonade theatre; and played the role of Scipio, in "Caligula", at the Actors' theatre. He later directed the British comedy, "Not Now, Darling", on stage at the Fairview theatre in Toronto.
Also in 1957, he made his television debut at the Canadian Television and Radio Broadcasting Corp., (CBC), staring as Max, in "The Price of Silence", directed by Charles Jarrott. He made many more appearances in Canadian and American television series such as: Wojek; Collaborators; War of the Worlds; Tugboat Annie; Top Cops; Hudson's Bay; and the RCMP.
In 1958, he made his Film debut playing a lead role in, "The Golden Age", for the National Film Board of Canada. Other films followed, both Canadian and America, among them, "Day of Experience", and "Killers of the Wild".
During his career, he worked with such names as: Donald Sutherland, William Shatner, Leslie Nielsen, Barry Morse, Anthony Quayle, Celia Johnson, Melvin Douglas, Jack Palance, Olivia Hussy and Michelle Lee, to name a few.
Grima has starred in several Films, and made 50-plus appearances on Television. He also starred in five Radio drama productions, and appeared in 12 stage plays.
Honored with Knighthood, in the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta in 1979, he now holds the rank of Grand Commander. Also a member of the Order of George Washington, and the Order of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem, with the rank of Commander.
Married to Edith Porteous, from Toronto, Canada and has four children, Johnny, Victor,
Marie-Rose and Georgina.
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