Author Tennessee Williams wrote his one-act play "The Last of My Solid Gold Watches" with Sydney Greenstreet in mind, and dedicated it to him.
His film career lasted a mere eight years and ended more than fifty-five years ago, yet he is one of the best remembered and most recognizable of all film actors.
His little-known Cyrus Redblock role was recycled into another same-name character for the series "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987), episode "The Big Good-Bye". Played fittingly by the late Lawrence Tierney.
Interred at Forest Lawn, Glendale, California, USA, in the Utility Columbarium area of the Great Mausoleum (not accessible for public viewing).
Of the only 23 movies he appeared in, nine were with co-star Peter Lorre.
Partially inspired the appearance of Jabba the Hut in the "Star Wars" series. When asked what the intergalactic gangster should look like by the designer, George Lucas replied, "A big blob, a huge mass of matter." The designer immediately thought of Greenstreet in Casablanca (1942). At one point during the production, a fez was placed on the final Jabba's head, to make him look like Greenstreet.
Son, John Ogden Greenstreet died March 4, 2004 at age 84.
Starred as the title character on NBC Radio's "The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe" (1950-1951).