Myron Natwick - Bio

Myron Natwick has brought countless dramatic stories to life in his long and prolific career as a notable stage, screen and television actor, writer and producer. However, he has never been gripped by a tale like the one he stumbled over while shooting on location in British Columbia, Canada. It is a true story of obsessive cross-cultural love, and death, played out inside the walls of a penal institution - and it is one that has held him in thrall for almost thirteen years.

Born in Oregon to a paper mill worker and homemaker, Natwick passed an itinerant childhood moving around the Pacific Northwest, then through various America States, as his father pursued work. A talented football player, Natwick attended University on an athletic scholarship, but drifted to Southern California after a stint in the US Army.

Despite the fact that Natwick had two relatives who later enjoyed considerable critical success in the Entertainment Industry (Tony Award-winning actress Mildred Natwick, and the creator of "Betty Boop", animator and film director Myron "Grim" Natwick), he began his professional career in Advertising.

Natwick stumbled onto the stage almost by accident when he was hired by a local repertory theatre. All facets of entertainment then became his lifelong pursuit as he built an impressive and varied career. A talented and highly intuitive dramatic stage actor, who excelled equally in musical theatre, he toured Australia, Europe, Canada and the US, including several notable stints in New York.

After being under contract to Universal Studios for several years, the versatile Natwick made a name for himself in countless films, television series, daytime soaps and commercials, creating indelible roles in THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR, SCARECROW AND MRS. KING and DAYS OF OUR LIVES. He also created numerous screenplays, and produced/executive produced several MOWs, television series and feature film dramas. His recent film acting credits include: CAVEDWELLER, SHALLOW GROUND, LIKE CATS AND DOGS and ON DEADLY GROUND.

It was during one of his frequent on-location shoots in British Columbia (he now calls Canada a second home) that Natwick stumbled on the saga that has gripped him for so long, and led to his original screenplay, and companion documentary PATTI AND GREG.

It is retelling of the true story of an attractive, affluent British Antiques Dealer who moves halfway around the world to marry a talented Aboriginal artist, emerging poet and incarcerated convicted killer. On a final conjugal prison visit for the seemingly "blissful" couple, and just prior to Patti's Visitor Permit running out, she is found dead of a heroin overdose. Her husband pleads guilty to her death. Her family labels it a "hit" for the Insurance; he claims it was a failed double suicide.

Natwick developed deep empathy for both Greg and Patti during numerous in-person meetings, interviews with family members and prison officials as he conducted background research. Such a deadly romance may seem an unlikely preoccupation for the always-busy Natwick, known as much for his witty sense of humour, his deep intelligence and story-telling ability as for his compelling dramatic looks.

"Love has always been a question mark in my life," admits Natwick, who perceives the twists and turns of the story as a mirror of his own rollercoaster history. "When I saw the headline - Loving a Lifer - I was hooked. I know a lot about Entertainment but was completely naive about the Prison system., the reality of Aboriginal life and the power of its ancient spirituality. Despite all the court records, media coverage, and countless theories about what really happened, this is a story that is as fresh, enigmatic, and compelling as it was when I first picked up the phone to talk to a convicted murderer - Greg."