Andrew Grainger
| Andrew Grainger | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1965 United Kingdom |
| Other names | Andy Grainger |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1987-present |
| Partner(s) | Sacha |
| Parent(s) | 2 children |
Andrew Grainger (born 1965), is a 6'2" (188 cm) tall English theatre and film actor, particularly noted for playing stage and screen characters of large physicality.[1] A native of the United Kingdom, Grainger moved to Torbay, Auckland, New Zealand in 2007, where he is active in both theatre and television productions, but continues to appear regularly on British television, as he has since launching his career.
Theatre
"Andy Grainger", as he was initially credited, formulated an acting career through his love of musicals. He began a West End theatre acting, dancing and singing career in 1987 at age 22 at the Prince of Wales Theatre playing "Benjamin" in a stage and road production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, directed by Michael Winter, and in 1990 playing "Lt. Buzz Adams" in South Pacific, directed by Roger Redfarm. He also portrayed "Dr. Orin" in a 1994 production of A Little Shop of Horrors at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre directed by Lindsay Dolan.[1][2]
Since that time he has appeared regularly in such venues as the Hull Truck Theatre, London Palladium, King's Head Theatre, Silo Theatre and the Auckland Theatre Company.[1]
In 2013, he appears as "Geoff Tordoff" in a production of The Heretic with the Auckland Theatre Company.[2]
Television and films
Grainger has participated in over 60 British television series and films since his career beginnings. Among them The Bill, Rosemary and Thyme, Heartbeat, Bad Girls and EastEnders. In New Zealand he has appeared in local programmes Shortland Street, Outrageous Fortune, The Million Dollar Con Man, Life's A Riot and The Cult. He receives recognition for a variety of world-wide television commercial appearances.[1][2]
Among the feature films he has appeared in are Parting Shots (1999), In the Beginning (2000), Large (2001), Spy Game (2001), Mean Machine (2001), Kiss Me Deadly (2008) and The Lovely Bones (2009).
Personal life
Grainger moved to New Zealand in 2006 to start a family with his Kiwi wife, Sacha. Living near Waiake Beach in Torbay, they have two young children. "I think in life if you have an opportunity to try things new you should embrace them, and the lifestyle here is fantastic."[3]