British actor Stephen Greif, best known to American audiences for his role in "The Crown," has died at the age of 78.

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Greif has enjoyed an extensive career on stage and screen, beginning with Britain's prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company in the late 1960s.

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He was born in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire. Griff attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and became a member of the National Theater Company.

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After several stage roles in the 1960s and early 1970s, he made a transition to the screen playing Space Commander Travis in Blake's 7.

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The show ran from 1978 to 1981, where Greif starred alongside Gareth Thomas, Paul Darrow, Michael Keating and Sally Quatt.

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Greif played Harry Fanning in three series of Citizen Smith, Signor Donato in Casanova and Commander John Shepherd in Shoot on Sight.

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He also portrayed Speaker of the House Sir Bernard Weatherill in series 4 of 'The Crown' in 2020.

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Director Barnaby Edwards said that they are deeply saddened to here that Stephen Greif has passed away. 

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He was an artist with a fluid voice and lethality like molten lava. He was incomparable when playing villains.

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His sharp wit and clear intellect made him a joy to direct. He is best known for his character as Space Commander Travis in the cult BBC Sci-Fi series "Blakes 7".

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