Greg Orvis

About Greg Orvis

Who is it?: Actor, Writer, Producer
Birth Day: July 15, 1951
Birth Place:  New York City, New York, United States
Birth name: Gregory Anthony Isaacs
Also known as: Cool Ruler Lonely Lover
Genres: Reggae, lovers rock, dub
Occupation(s): Singer-songwriter
Years active: 1968–2010
Labels: African Museum, Cash and Carry, Trojan, VP, RAS

Greg Orvis

Greg Orvis was born on July 15, 1951 in  New York City, New York, United States, is Actor, Writer, Producer. Greg Orvis was raised on a barrier island, in a small beach town about 20 miles south of Cape Kennedy, Florida by his maternal Grandparents, Pauline and Schuyler "Sky" Orvis Jr. It was they who instilled in him his sense of integrity, and originality, with their primary directive being "Don't just do what everyone else is doing just because everyone else is doing it; do what you know is right." Orvis' grandfather had distinguished himself by crossing the Atlantic at his own expense to volunteer for the French army in 1939, two years before the U.S. joined the Second World War, returning home a local hero, and consequently was elected to the Connecticut State legislature, although he didn't run for office; local residents penciled him in on the ballot.At the age of eight, trusting Orvis' self-taught swimming ability, his grandparents permitted him to go alone to the lifeguard-less beach and swim in the ocean whenever he pleased, which was often; this in the county with the largest waves in the entire state of Forida, and the second largest waves on the entire east-coast of the USA.Growing up with grandparents could have been idyllic had Orvis' grandfather not been slowly dying from cigarette-related illnesses, but seeing first-hand from his youth the horror his grandfather's addiction caused resolved Orvis to make health a primary focus of his life.While living in Miami beach where he surfed, practiced Yoga daily and swam about 230 miles a year alone in the ocean in practically any conditions, Oliver Stone discovered Orvis' singular talents and cast him as a day-player with an unscripted role in his football epic, "Any Given Sunday". Stone originally hired Orvis for 4 days but was so satisfied with Orvis' work ethic that he kept Orvis on set for the entire duration of principal filming--4 months-- allowing Orvis to ad lib a scene with Al Pacino and to execute an advanced Yoga scene.Oliver Stone, was so satisfied with the novice actor that he cast Orvis again in an unscripted role in "Alexander" and he became one of only three American actors to work on the "all-European cast" film; this time he worked with Erol Sander and Colin Farell, with whom he executed an unscripted speaking scene.Orvis took his cue to move to Switzerland shortly after the Iraq war because he'd always wanted to live in a land without war, and because he wanted to get in touch with his Swiss roots; Orvis' paternal Grandfather, with whom he wasn't so well acquainted was Swiss.In 2007 Peter Coyote, grateful for Orvis' extensive efforts to get his memoir "Sleeping Where I Fall"--the definitive chronicle of the American 60's counterculture--published in European languages, referred Orvis his first theatrical agency representation, in London. ( Orvis had wanted his German girlfriend to be able to read his favorite non-fiction book but she didn't speak English so he undertook to get it published in German). But after Orvis turned down the role of 'Ronald Niedermann' in the original Swedish version of Stieg Larsson's Millennium trilogy, Orvis' London agent dropped him; this even though Orvis had directly procured the casting for himself without assistance from his agent and, refusing to do the job "under the table",showed good faith by referring his agency to the client once he was under consideration.In 2012 Orvis performed in his first lead-supporting role, in the ZDF ( German Public Television ) TV-movie "Schlangen Im Paradies" ( "Snakes In Paradise" ), playing the bad-guy in a movie seasoned with some of the biggest names in German television. Its ironic that Orvis' first feature lead-supporting debut is in a German movie, performing in German, because when he moved to Switzerland, he didn't even speak the language. But Orvis not only produced the goods, as usual he went above and beyond the call of duty and scripted a surfing scene for the film, because he was able to convince the director that since his character owns a surf-shop and the action takes place in Cornwall, the English capital of surfing, some surfing visuals would increase the film's production value.2012 was also a monumental year for Orvis because he finally realized a longtime goal, to read all 37 Shakespeare plays in original (Old-English) dialect.
Greg Orvis is a member of Actor

Does Greg Orvis Dead or Alive?

As per our current Database, Greg Orvis has been died on 25 October 2010(2010-10-25) (aged 59)\nLondon, England, UK.

🎂 Greg Orvis - Age, Bio, Faces and Birthday

When Greg Orvis die, Greg Orvis was 59 years old.

Popular As Greg Orvis
Occupation Actor
Age 59 years old
Zodiac Sign Scorpio
Born July 15, 1951 ( New York City, New York, United States)
Birthday July 15
Town/City  New York City, New York, United States
Nationality United States

🌙 Zodiac

Greg Orvis’s zodiac sign is Scorpio. According to astrologers, Scorpio-born are passionate and assertive people. They are determined and decisive, and will research until they find out the truth. Scorpio is a great leader, always aware of the situation and also features prominently in resourcefulness. Scorpio is a Water sign and lives to experience and express emotions. Although emotions are very important for Scorpio, they manifest them differently than other water signs. In any case, you can be sure that the Scorpio will keep your secrets, whatever they may be.

🌙 Chinese Zodiac Signs

Greg Orvis was born in the Year of the Rabbit. Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Rabbit enjoy being surrounded by family and friends. They’re popular, compassionate, sincere, and they like to avoid conflict and are sometimes seen as pushovers. Rabbits enjoy home and entertaining at home. Compatible with Goat or Pig.

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Biography/Timeline

1968

In his teenage years, Isaacs became a veteran of the talent contests that regularly took place in Jamaica. In 1968, he made his recording debut as Winston Sinclair, with the single "Another Heartache", recorded for Producer Byron Lee. The single sold poorly and Isaacs went on to team up with two other vocalists (Penroe and Bramwell) in the short-lived trio The Concords, recording for Rupie Edwards and Prince Buster. The trio split up in 1970 and Isaacs launched his solo career, initially self-producing recordings and also recording further for Edwards. In 1973, he teamed up with another young singer, Errol Dunkley to start the African Museum record label and shop, and soon had a massive hit with "My Only Lover", credited as the first lovers rock record ever made. He recorded for other producers to Finance further African Museum recordings, having a string of hits in the three years that followed, ranging from ballads to roots reggae, including "All I Have Is Love", "Lonely Soldier", "Black a Kill Black", "Extra Classic" and his cover version of Dobby Dobson's "Loving Pauper". In 1974, he began working with Producer Alvin Ranglin, and that year he had his first Jamaican no. 1 single with "Love Is Overdue".

1970

Isaacs recorded for many of Jamaica's top producers during the 1970s, including Winston "Niney" Holness, Gussie Clarke ("My Time"), Lloyd Campbell ("Slavemaster"), Glen Brown ("One One Cocoa Fill Basket"), Harry Mudie, Roy Cousins, Sydney Crooks and Lee "Scratch" Perry ("Mr. Cop"). By the late-1970s, Isaacs was one of the biggest reggae performers in the world, regularly touring the US and the UK, and only challenged by Dennis Brown and Bob Marley. Between 1977 and 1978, Isaacs again teamed up with Alvin Ranglin, recording a string of hits including "Border" and "Number One" for Ranglin's GG's label.

1978

International stardom seemed assured in 1978 when Isaacs signed to the Virgin Records offshoot Front Line Records, and appeared in the film Rockers, in which he performed "Slavemaster". The Cool Ruler (which became one of his nicknames) and Soon Forward albums, however, failed to sell as well as expected, although they are now considered among his best work. In 1981, he made his first appearance at the Reggae Sunsplash festival (returning annually until 1991), and he moved on to the Charisma Records offshoot Pre, who released his The Lonely Lover (another nickname that stuck) and More Gregory albums along with a string of increasingly successful singles including "Tune In", "Permanent Lover", "Wailing Rudy" and "Tribute to Waddy". He signed to Island Records and released the record that finally saw him break through to a wider audience, "Night Nurse", the title track from his first album for the label (Night Nurse (1982)). Although "Night Nurse" was not a chart hit in either the UK or US, it was hugely popular in clubs and received heavy radio play, and the album reached number 32 in the UK.

1982

This success for Isaacs coincided with drug problems with cocaine that saw him serve a six-month prison sentence in Kingston in 1982 for possession of unlicensed firearms. Isaacs claimed that he had the weapons only for protection, but it emerged that this was his 27th arrest and that he had become involved in drug dealing and was addicted to crack cocaine. He celebrated his release from prison with his second album for Island, Out Deh! (1983). He was featured in the 1982 documentary Land of Look Behind.

1984

When his contract with Island ended, Isaacs returned in 1984 with the "Kool Ruler Come Again" single, and began a period of prolific recording, working with producers including Prince Jammy, Hugh "Redman" James, Bobby Digital, Tad Dawkins and Steely & Clevie, maintaining a consistent standard despite the volume of work produced. Isaacs then built a strong relationship with Gussie Clarke of the Music Works label. They began with Isaacs' 1985 album Private Beach Party, and had a massive hit with "Rumours" in 1988, which was followed by further popular singles including "Mind Yu Dis", "Rough Neck", "Too Good To Be True" and "Report to Me". The association with Clarke continued into the early 1990s, teaming up with Singers including Freddie McGregor, Ninjaman and J.C. Lodge. He dueted with Beres Hammond on the 1993 Philip "Fatis" Burrell-produced "One Good Turn", Burrell also producing Isaacs' 1994 album Midnight Confidential.

1990

In the 1990s the African Museum label continued to release all of Isaacs' music, and that of artists he produced. In 1997 Simply Red covered "Night Nurse" and had a hit with it. Isaacs continued to record and perform live in the 2000s. In 2005 Lady Saw produced another version of "Night Nurse" with her toasting over the original lyrics.

2007

In 2007 he collaborated with the Spanish rap group Flowklorikos/Rafael Lechowski album Donde Duele Inspira.

2008

In 2008, after some 40 years as a recording Artist, Isaacs released a new studio album Brand New Me, which was nominated for the Grammy Awards for 2010. The album received positive reviews from critics, such as this review from Reggae Vibes: "Gregory is back, and how! 'Brand New Me' is a very suitable album title for the cool ruler's new album. He is back in a different style, more or less like we were used to from this great 'lovers & roots' artist" This was followed in 2009 by the album My Kind Of Lady.

2010

Isaacs died of lung cancer on 25 October 2010 at his home in London. A memorial Service was held on 20 November at Kingston's National Indoor Sports Centre, including a musical tribute from artists including Lloyd Parks and We the People Band, Ken Boothe, Freddie McGregor, Shaggy, Judy Mowatt, Mavado, the Tamlins and Bongo Herman, before his remains were interred at the Dovecot Cemetery.

2011

The Gregory Isaacs Foundation was set up on 15 July 2011 (Isaacs' birthday) by his wife June Wyndham, with the intention of continuing his charitable work. A year later a free concert was staged featuring artists such as U-Roy, Big Youth, and the Mighty Diamonds, to raise funds for two schools.

2015

In July 2015 a mural by Junior Moore depicting Isaacs was unveiled at 125 Orange Street, the former site of his Cash and Carry shop and now the Leggo Recording Studios. The unveiling also saw the launch of "Cool Ruler" spring water.

2016

In 2016 it was announced that the Jamaican government would posthumously award Isaacs the Order of Distinction (Officer Class) in recognition of his contribution to the country's music. In October 2016 it was announced that the UK branch of the Gregory Isaacs Foundation would be installing a commemorative blue plaque at 59 Weald Lane, Harrow, the house where Isaacs died. In February 2018, a blue plaque was unveiled at Isaacs' former home at 15 Sunrise Crescent in St. Andrew, with the foundation also announcing plans to open a museum dedicated to Isaacs at the site.

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