Richard “Dick” Grayson longtime member of ATPAM died on October 13, 2006 after a brief illness following a fall.

After starring as the Cheshire Cat and Humpty Dumpty in ALICE IN WONDERLAND for the San Francisco Children’s Theatre at age 6, Dick began a life-long love of the theatre. As an actor, he would go on to appear in films for MGM, Stanley Kramer and had the starring role in CHAIN OF CIRCUMSTANCE for Columbia Studios. He also appeared in numerous radio and early television programs.

Dick company managed many Broadway, touring and Off-Broadway shows including Alfred Drake’s KISMET, Angela Lansbury’s MAME, and Ethel Merman’s GYPSY. Dick volunteered for Mayor’s Office for Theatre and Film and The Lillian Booth Actors’ Home of The Actors’ Fund of America.

The apartment building he owned on West 45th Street for over 20 years provided a home for many company managers, actors and struggling artists alike.

Dick passionately believed in the strength and importance of labor unions and served as an elected member of ATPAM’s Board of Governors for many years. He was also a proud lifelong member of Actor’s Equity Association (AEA) , Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG), American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA).

It is with deep sadness and sense of loss that I recently learned of Richard Grayson's death. It was not that his passing was untimely. He lived a long and fruitful life. He had patiently endured frail health for many years. Despite that and the toll we all pay for aging, he always countenanced a joie de vivre, a lust for life and the life lived in the theatre community especially that allowed me and many others to become very fond of his presence in one's own life. With his characteristically rich actor's voice he was always opinionated, almost to a fault, and he always had a point to make, always with a smile. You learned to love that about him.

Over many years he served ATPAM in many capacities. He always firmly believed and acted upon his personal and professional commitment to the trade union movement and ATPAM. More specifically, when I served ATPAM as National Organizer, he was always there to serve his ATPAM brothers and sisters in and extended that to the rest of the theatre community when needed. He was a regular and steadfast presence on every ATPAM picket line. He proudly marched in the annual Labor Day parade. You'd find him demonstrating with AGMA, SSDC, Equity, Local 802, AFTRA/SAG, IATSE. You'd find him with a picket sign at the Selwyn or New Victory Theatre, at the Wang Center in Boston. One extremely frigid, blustery and snowy winter night he got off a bus in Boston to help me leaflet the audience before a Boston Ballet performance, bought me a cup of coffee, got back on another bus and headed home that same evening.

In later years we would occasionally dine together or I would prepare him a home cooked meal at our apartment and we would reminisce. When I was with AGMA, leading a strike on a non-union performance of a Handel choral symphony he bumped into me while heading into the performance space with ticket in hand. When I explained to him what was going on he tore up his ticket in indignation and joined the AGMA picket line.

It was not unusual for me to bump into Dick at the theatre. He loved the classics and I would see him regularly at Aquilia Theatre and Classic Stage Company performances. At one point he informed me he had signed up for a class in ancient Greek tragedy with Professor Peter Meinick of NYU. Meinick, who is also the Artistic Director for Aquilia was in AGMA contract negotiations with me. When I inquired if Dick was in his class he said "oh boy, he sure is!". Dick was always energetically inquiring, always wanting to learn more.

The last time I saw Dick Grayson was at a Broadway performance of O'Neil's Long Days Journey Into Night. He was gleeful, excited, energetic and affectionately overjoyed at seeing me and my partner Shelley. He wanted very much to take us out for a drink after the performance. Regrettably I declined; too tired from working countless 14 hour days on an AFT organizing campaign. It was evident he was disappointed. Now I have learned too late to be most careful in declining such invitations, such important opportunities to spend some precious time with a good friend. Richard Grayson has enriched my life immeasurably. Now he is gone and is sorely missed.

Sincerely & In Solidarity,

Gene Vanasse

I read with sadness the report of Dick Grayson's death.  We served together for many years in the 1980s on the ATPAM Board of Governors.  At meetings, I usually sat between him and Merle DeBuskey, and Shirley Herz sat across from me.  It was the time of Dick Weaver's (bless his hear) reign, and I am afraid we gave Dick great consternation from all the giggling all we did during sessions.  However, even with this frivolity (and Dick's monthly repast of bagels, nova and cream cheese), we managed to crank out the Union's business.

I loved Dick's sense of humor, but most of all his devotion to all things union, and his commentaries on the various issues we discussed were thoughtful and always realistic.

Just thought I would pass this on.... and know all of us learned from the lessons that Dick so gently gave to the people he liked.

Sincerely,

Camille (Ranson) Allen