Thomas Aquinas McGreevey (July 21, 1932 – May 20, 2024) was an American actor who worked in theater, television, commercials, and feature films. His career spanned four decades from the late 1950s to the late 1990s. He is best remembered for his role as “Mr. Patches” on the long-running children’s program, The Uncle Al Show. Additionally, he worked for many years as an editor and art director in greeting cards, at both American Greetings and Gibson Greetings (Cincinnati, Ohio). After retiring from acting, McGreevey wrote books and articles about film history. In 2024, McGreevey died at age 91.Kiesewetter, John. (June 3, 2024). "Actor, DJ Tom "Mr. Patches" McGreevey dies at 91." WVXU (NPR). Retrieved 2025-01-04.

Early life Tom McGreevey was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Kathryn (Hart)“Mrs. Donald McGreevey Laid to Rest Tuesday.” (January 11, 1936). The Brooklyn Tablet. p. 3. Retrieved 2025-9-7. and Donald E. McGreevey, a buyer for the Roman Catholic Orphan’s Society.“5,000 Children Will Parade.” (April 25, 1936). The Brooklyn Tablet. p.1. Retrieved 2025-9-7. His parents met while performing in an amateur stage production for the benefit of St. Catherine of Genoa’s parish, Brooklyn. Within a few months, they were married and, eventually, settled in Baldwin, Long Island.“From the Managing Editor’s Desk.” (January 11, 1936). p. 9. Retrieved 2025-9-7.

At 18, McGreevey enlisted in the Marine Corps from 1950 to 1954, serving in Korea and Japan.Sanderson, Emily (May 31, 2024)."Beloved actor known as 'Mr. Patches' from Cincinnati's Uncle Al show dies at 91." WLWT. Retrieved 2025-01-04. Subsequently, he enrolled in and graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York CityWood, Mary (January 12, 1978). "Barnaby' becomes song-dance man. McGreevey gets role." Cincinnati Post. p. 23. Retrieved 2024-09-24. and continued his dramatic training with Shakespearean scholar Charles H. Shattuck at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champagne.Saxon, Wolfgang (September 23, 1992). "Charles H. Shattuck, 81, Shakespearean Scholar." New York Times. B:7. Retrieved 2025-01-04. At the university, McGreevey appeared in many plays, including the role of Sir Toby Belch in Shattuck's 1961 production of Twelfth Night."1,400 High Schoolers To Attend Special Matinees of 'Twelfth Night'." (January 7, 1961), The Daily Illini. p 4. Retrieved 2024-09-24.

Career

1960s–1970s: Early career in theater and radio hosting In the early 1960s, McGreevey used the stage name "Thom McGreevey," performing in summer stock with Ohio's Peninsula Players, where he starred as Chris in Arthur Miller's All My Sons,"Peninsula Players Excell in Drama; 'All My Sons'." (August 25, 1961) Cleveland Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2025-01-04. and at the Karamu House (Cleveland, Ohio), where he appeared in In Splendid Error"John Brown Again Marches at Karamu" (January 21, 1962) Cleveland Plain Dealer. p 162. Retrieved 2024-09-24. and Purlie Victorious."Lively Segregation Spoof Opens at Karamu Tuesday" (September 23, 1962) Cleveland Plain Dealer. p 171. Retrieved 2025-01-04.

Leaving Cleveland for Cincinnati, McGreevey hosted a late-night radio show known as "Jelly Pudding" on the progressive rock station WEBN-FM (Cincinnati) and later at WDAI-FM (Chicago)."Mr. Patches Once WEBN-FM 'Jelly Pudding' Music Host'" (August 7, 1974). Cincinnati Enquirer p 71. Retrieved 2024-09-24.

In the early 1970s, he transitioned to television, appearing as "Mr. Patches" on the long-running children's program, The Uncle Al Show (WCPO-TV, Cincinnati).Kiesewetter, John. (November 1, 2022). "Put your toys away, don't delay! WCPO has an 'Uncle Al' retrospective on the way." WVXU (NPR). Retrieved 2025-01-07. In addition to providing educational segments for Uncle Al, McGreevey was the puppeteer and voice for a dozen puppets, including Mother Goose.

"Mr. Patches" quickly became a local celebrity, entertaining in a patchwork jacket. As "Mr. Patches," McGreevey participated in many community activities, from Girl Scout cookie eating contests"A Fine Collection of media personalities. . . ." (January 16, 1976). Cincinnati Enquirer. p 8. Retrieved 2024-11-02. and appearances with Santa ClausSouthern Ohio Bank Advertisement (December 6, 1974) Cincinnati Post. Retrieved 2024-10-31. to numerous fundraisers, such as the annual auction for PBS station WCET"WCET auction" (April 21, 1973) Cincinnati Post. p 51. Retrieved 2024-06-08. and the March of Dimes."Wheelathon for Youngsters to Benefit March of Dimes" (August 10, 1975). Cincinnati Enquirer. p 32. Retrieved 2024-06-07. He was featured in the opening shows of the Cincinnati Coliseum (Heritage Bank Center) in 1975Hoffman, Steve. (September 18, 1975). "Worthwhile Bumps for Uncle Al's Pal" Cincinnati Enquirer. p 27. Retrieved 2024-10-28. and the 1976 Bicentennial Summer Celebration at Fountain Square."City to celebrate Fourth on land, air, water" (June 30, 1976) Cincinnati Post. p 23. Retrieved 2024-07-04. He also appeared weekly on WCPO's Sunday morning children's show, "Play it Safe," hosted by police officer Bob Morgan.Play it Safe." Lost Cincinnati. Retrieved 2025-01-07.

Before leaving Cincinnati, McGreevey appeared in a television pilot, The Yellow Bus, produced as a possible daytime series with a target audience of 6 - 12 year olds. Singer Larry Groce, later featured on many records for Disney, starred as a guide working at Kings Island amusement park. McGreevey provided the voice for and operated Groce's sidekick, a puppet named "Hot Rod," created by Hanna-Barbera’s Charles DeMuth. The show was designed to feature local talent and Kings Island; however, CBS did not pick up the series. Hoffman, Steve (October 28, 1977). "Taft Trio Will Make CBS Children’s Pilot." Cincinnati Enquirer. p. 39. Retrieved 2025-09-05.

In the late 1970s, McGreevey returned to New York City and began working on several soap operas, including Edge of Night,"TV, Radio Simulcast UA Promotion" (September 12, 1978) Cincinnati Enquirer. p 4. Retrieved 2024-06-03. All My Children,Wood, Mary (January 12, 1978). "Barnaby." and Love of Life.Hirsch, Lynda. (February 25, 1979). "'Another World' has brave new look." The Cleveland Plain Dealer. p. 98. Retrieved 2025-09-01. There, he also appeared in regional commercials, including one for Belmont Race Track,Gardner, Jani (May 4, 1978) "Patches progress," Cincinnati Post. p 20. Retrieved 2024-06-07. as well as in commercials and in print ads for many national brands, such as AARP, McDonald's, Budweiser, and Lipton, playing a plain-spoken New Englander opposite Don Meredith.Stevens, Dale (September 6, 1984)."Sleep Out Louie's to reopen as Caddy's," Cincinnati Post. p 31. Retrieved 2024-05-30.

1980s–1989: Return to theater and television In the 1980s, McGreevey returned to legitimate theater, appearing in two productions at the Melrose Theater in Los Angeles: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1981), directed by William Shatner,"Coming Attractions." (September 4, 1981) News-Pilot. p 39. Retrieved 2024-09-24. and A Case of Libel (1983)."'A Case of Libel' At Melrose." (June 24, 1983) Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-09-24.

Later in 1983, McGreevey was cast in Alienated Affections/Land of the Blind at the Church of Scientology owned Celebrity Centre in Los Angeles."'Affections' at Celebrity Centre" (December 2, 1983) Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-11-26. In 1984, he had a leading role in Couple of the Year, mounted at the Lambs Theater in Manhattan, directed by long-term artistic director of the Cincinnati Playhouse, Edward Stern.Raidy, William A. (August 15, 1984). "'Couple of the Year' is painfully artificial." Staten Island Advance. p 27. Retrieved 2024-11-26.

During 1986–1987, he was cast as Harry in the Arizona Theatre Company production of the Edward Albee play A Delicate Balance, playing Phoenix and Tucson.Campbell, Bob. (December 5, 1986)."'A Delicate Balance' is stunning. Disturbing play is excellently, gracefully acted." Arizona Daily Star. p 43. Retrieved 2024-11-10.

Concurrently, McGreevey also worked regularly in episodic television, notably: Dallas, Dynasty, Falcon Crest, Remington Steele, Simon & Simon, Hunter, Hill Street Blues and L.A. Law.Tom McGreevey Retrieved 2025-09-01.

During his first ten weeks in Los Angeles, McGreevey was cast in four commercials and appeared in the series Soap.Stevens, Dale (March 28, 1981). "Two transplanted locals seeking success in L.A." Cincinnati Post. p 24. Retrieved 2025-09-05. In 1983, he was featured on the television series Fame, playing Tom Reardon, the father of regular David Reardon (Morgan Stevens), the high school's drama coach."Isn’t That Mr. Patches?" (April 28, 1983). Cincinnati Enquirer. p. 52. Retrieved 2025-09-05. And, in 1987, McGreevey was a guest star on The Golden Girls, playing the veterinarian who examines the pig inherited by Rose Nyland (Betty White).The Golden Girls – Season 3, Episode 3.

Also, while in Los Angeles, McGreevey appeared on General Hospital as the Scottish minister who married characters Duke Lavery and Anna Devane in 1987.Sammons, Mary Beth (November 3, 1987). "For Better ... and Worse: The Making of Storybook Weddings," Soap Opera Digest. Retrieved 2024-11-12.

1989–1991: Acting in feature films

McGreevey was featured in the following made-for-television movies and mini-series: Killer in the Mirror;TCM: Killer in the Mirror Retrieved 2025-09-01. Rock Hudson;TCM: Rock Hudson Retrieved 2025-009-1. Shakedown on the Sunset Strip;TCM: Shakedown on the Sunset Strip Retrieved 2025-09-01. Polly (Disney's 1989 remake of Pollyanna);TCM: Polly Retrieved 2025-09-01. An Inconvenient Woman, based on the novel by Dominick Dunne;TCM: An Inconvenient Woman Retrieved 2025-09-01. and Lady Against the Odds,TCM: Lady Against the Odds Retrieved 2025-09-01. for which director/cinematographer Bradford Mays won an Emmy in 1992 (Cinematography for a Miniseries). He also appeared in the pilot for Shannon's Deal, written by John Sayles and directed by Lewis Teague.TCM: Shannon’s Deal Retrieved 2025-09-01.

The Emmy-winning short Ziggy's Gift teamed McGreevey with Ziggy's creator and former American Greetings colleague, Tom Wilson. McGreevey provided the voice for "Officer O'Connor."TV GUIDE: Ziggy's Gift Retrieved 2025-08-29.

His work in feature films includes: The Favorite (1989) starring F. Murray Abraham; Angel Town (1990), the film debut of kickboxer Olivier Gruner;TCM: Angel Town Retrieved 2025-08-29. and The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991), in which McGreevey's character was credited as: "Very well, sir. It's from the lady."TCM: The Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear Retrieved 2025-08-29. In Airplane II: The Sequel, McGreevey's role as "Karl Malden" (spoofing Malden's ads for American Express Travelers checks) was cut from the final release but can be seen in the film's trailer.Airplane II: The Sequel, trailer Retrieved 2025-09-01.

Despite a talent for comedy, McGreevey was typecast as ministers, doctors, judges and administrators. A notable exception was his stage performance in Neil Simon's God's Favorite (Marimont Players, 1973)."'God's Favorite' Opens Players' Season" (September 13, 1976) Cincinnati Enquirer. B-11. Retrieved 2024-06-05.

1992: Writing and film preservation In 1992, McGreevey retired from acting, returning to writing and editing. In addition to authoring several articles about film history, he is the co-author of the book Movie Westerns, an introduction to the genre for middle school readers, and Our Movie Heritage, which argues for the importance of film preservation.Stenson, Eric (December 14, 1997). "Serious preservation, not movie magic." Central New Jersey Home News. p 38. Retrieved 2024-11-22.

McGreevey was also a member of MENSA, SAG and AFTRA.Stevens, Dale (March 28, 1981)."Two Transplanted locals Seeking Success," Cincinnati Post. p 24. Retrieved 2024-09-24.

Death