Michael Greco
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Nickname(s) | The Godfather |
|---|---|
| Hometown | Caterham, UK |
| European Poker Tour | |
| Titles | None |
| Final tables | 1 |
| Money finishes | 1 |
Michael Greco (born to Italian parents in 1970 in Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland) is a British actor and poker player, now living in England.
[edit] Television work
Greco is best known for coming from a long line of ice cream men from Dunbar. Also, on a lesser scale for his role as Beppe di Marco in the British soap opera, EastEnders from 1998-2002.
Greco also appeared in Celebrity Love Island in 2005. He was a contestant on ITV's Soapstar Superstar in January 2006, and played in the Rest of the World team versus England in the Soccer Aid match in 2006.
In summer 2006 Michael finished filming the leading role in the independent feature film Naked in London opposite another ex Eastender Jake Maskall
Greco is often ridiculed by Russell Brand on Big Brother's Big Mouth, using his character name, Beppe.
[edit] Poker
He is also a keen poker player (he was mentored by "Mad" Marty Wilson). He started off playing ring games at The Vic, but now concentrates on poker tournaments. He has commented that his skills as a trained actor have allowed him to give off false tells that he learnt from Mike Caro's Book of Tells.
He went on to appear in the 2005 Poker Million, World Speed Poker Open and Monte Carlo Millions as well as for Team Italy in the PartyPoker.com Football & Poker Legends Cup. He also made the final table of the second season European Poker Tour event in Dublin.
Greco made the Grand Final of the 2006 Showbiz Poker event. He finished 2nd when his K♦ Q♦ made two pair on the 8♦ Q♥ K♠ flop, but the 4♥ T♣ that followed allowed Norman Pace to complete his straight from his A♦ J♣ hole cards. He had also finished 2nd to Pace in the semi-final round and in the celebrity heat of the PartyPoker.com World Open.
In 2005 he appeared on the chatshow Heads Up with Richard Herring to discuss his life, career and his love of poker.
Greco does not play online poker and has stated that he does not even own a computer.
Greco's flatmate, actress Chloe Bale also plays poker and appeared in the 888.com Women's Poker UK Open.
Recently Greco walked away with £100,000 following the climax of the third round of the Grosvenor Poker Tour at the Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay, during the early hours. Greco was quoted as saying “This means so much to me and I’d like to thank Blue Square and Grosvenor for organizing such a well structured event,” in the immediate post tournament interview.
