Biography
Born and raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Greta showed an early interest in performance when she jumped onto a restaurant table top at the age of 5 and belted out her rendition of "Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey?" She was greeted with cheers, applause, a few coins, and a candy bar, locking in the idea that this could be a future she could sink her teeth into. During her freshman year of drama study at the University of New Orleans, Greta was cast as a Kit Kat Girl in Cabaret and her picture appeared in the local Times-Picayune. This caught the attention of Paramount Pictures and Director Louis Malle, who was in town casting his film Pretty Baby. Mr. Malle cast her as a prostitute and promptly un-cast her when she refused to do a nude scene. A very unorthodox career followed with Greta getting her union card in a Saturday morning children's program, Benji, Zax and the Alien Price, when she was asked to "fall over a trash can, funny." She did. As a character actress, she shot on location in a Texas prison for Unspoken Truth with Lea Thompson, called Bingo in Walker Texas Ranger, played dead in America's Most Wanted, sold real estate to Joan Severence in Frequent Flyer, and was Richard Gere's gynecological patient in Dr T and the Women. While working with Brian Dennehy and Cloris Leachman on In Broad Daylight, Greta was escorted off the set during her first day of shooting by an eager PA, who believed her to be a local who had snuck onto the set for the free lunch. Director James Steven Sadwith was summoned to verify her authenticity and Greta was returned to work. Greta had a recurring role in a very short lived sitcom, 13 East and was a regular for 2 seasons in the PBS children's program, Gerbert. She is still recognized for her work with Barney the Purple Dinosaur. As an actress Greta acted in numerous commercials, live industrials and performed with the musical comedy group, Howard and the Fine Sisters, specializing in beehive music of the 1960s. In 1998 Greta moved to the other side of the camera and began coaching broadcast anchors in local affiliates and networks around the country. She eventually transitioned to the corporate world and today is based in New York City as a corporate coach and consultant.
