Greg Thompson(III)
- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Born in Clarksville, Tennessee, Greg is the youngest of four kids. He
watched his siblings explore and develop their talents and appreciation
for theatre, music and dance and eventually followed in their
footsteps. Greg embarked upon his first theatrical adventure in a
summer production of "The Wizard Of Oz" at a local High School. From
that point on he spent much time with neighborhood friends creating
performances for unwitting adults. Soon, Greg began singing in the
local church choir and making music with his extended family in
jamboree fashion complete with square dancing. It was during this
creative time that Greg became quite certain of his one real passion -
movies.
Unsure of how to pursue such a dream, Greg's need to perform was fueled by his growing musical ability. Before long he was a much-sought-after tent revival singer at the ripe old age of 12. Greg was the "little kid with the great big voice" who made his name around town with a rendition of "Peace In The Valley" that he learned from his mother while on summer vacations.
It wasn't until college that Greg would begin to realize his dreams. A Musical Theatre/Voice double major at Catawba College, near Charlotte, NC, Greg's passion to create grew relentlessly. After college, he pursued work in Raleigh, North Carolina where several of his friends were already waiting tables and "building their resumes". A year of struggling and tromping the boards of several area community theatres, and Greg got his first shot at professional theatre. He joined the Broadway cast of "The King and I" which had just closed, following Yul Brenner's death. The company had been transplanted to The North Carolina Theatre, minus its ensemble, for a limited run. Within a year Greg had built a solid resume and was earning his Equity Card.
Next stop, South Florida where he finished earning his Equity Card and waited his last table (knock on wood). Greg spent the next several years as a union stage actor and director working on more than 30 productions with such greats as Jennifer Holliday, Marcia Lewis, John Cullum, Jodi Benson, Armelia McQueen and Chita Rivera and garnering several "Best Director" awards for his work.
In 1990, Greg took the position of Resident Director and Choreographer of The Atlanta Lyric Theatre, and helped guide them through ten consecutive seasons, staging more than forty productions during his tenure.
He resigned from this post to pursue his real dream; film, and in 2001, his first real opportunity came in the form of a Florida State University graduate thesis film called, Saudade. Greg created the leading character, Luke, in this award-winning short film. Then went on to dance arm-in-arm with Jack Black in the Sundance favorite, Run Ronnie Run!, before tackling several local Atlanta TV Pilots, like the Monty Python-esque Witch Hunters Extraordinaire. From 2001 - 2003 he played a number of leading and supporting roles in various independent features and shorts including Storyboard in A Major, Afterlife, The Adventures of Ociee Nash and Ghost of the Needle, for which he won his first acting award. Shortly after, he landed the role of Peter on one of the last episodes of Dawson's Creek followed by the recurring role of Dr. Adams on One Tree Hill. In "3" Greg has the opportunity to portray racing superstar Darrell Waltrip, going toe-to-toe with Barry Pepper as the legendary Dale Earnhardt.
Unsure of how to pursue such a dream, Greg's need to perform was fueled by his growing musical ability. Before long he was a much-sought-after tent revival singer at the ripe old age of 12. Greg was the "little kid with the great big voice" who made his name around town with a rendition of "Peace In The Valley" that he learned from his mother while on summer vacations.
It wasn't until college that Greg would begin to realize his dreams. A Musical Theatre/Voice double major at Catawba College, near Charlotte, NC, Greg's passion to create grew relentlessly. After college, he pursued work in Raleigh, North Carolina where several of his friends were already waiting tables and "building their resumes". A year of struggling and tromping the boards of several area community theatres, and Greg got his first shot at professional theatre. He joined the Broadway cast of "The King and I" which had just closed, following Yul Brenner's death. The company had been transplanted to The North Carolina Theatre, minus its ensemble, for a limited run. Within a year Greg had built a solid resume and was earning his Equity Card.
Next stop, South Florida where he finished earning his Equity Card and waited his last table (knock on wood). Greg spent the next several years as a union stage actor and director working on more than 30 productions with such greats as Jennifer Holliday, Marcia Lewis, John Cullum, Jodi Benson, Armelia McQueen and Chita Rivera and garnering several "Best Director" awards for his work.
In 1990, Greg took the position of Resident Director and Choreographer of The Atlanta Lyric Theatre, and helped guide them through ten consecutive seasons, staging more than forty productions during his tenure.
He resigned from this post to pursue his real dream; film, and in 2001, his first real opportunity came in the form of a Florida State University graduate thesis film called, Saudade. Greg created the leading character, Luke, in this award-winning short film. Then went on to dance arm-in-arm with Jack Black in the Sundance favorite, Run Ronnie Run!, before tackling several local Atlanta TV Pilots, like the Monty Python-esque Witch Hunters Extraordinaire. From 2001 - 2003 he played a number of leading and supporting roles in various independent features and shorts including Storyboard in A Major, Afterlife, The Adventures of Ociee Nash and Ghost of the Needle, for which he won his first acting award. Shortly after, he landed the role of Peter on one of the last episodes of Dawson's Creek followed by the recurring role of Dr. Adams on One Tree Hill. In "3" Greg has the opportunity to portray racing superstar Darrell Waltrip, going toe-to-toe with Barry Pepper as the legendary Dale Earnhardt.