He was born in Athens to a wealthy middle-class family. He studied Law and foreign languages but was won over by the cinema. During the German occupation he fought with the National Liberation Front (EAM). After the war he began his career as a screenwriter and director with The Red Rock. Bitter Bread was the Greek film that ushered in Neo-realism, although Grigoriou claimed that he was influenced more by French cinema, namely Renoir and Carne. Up until 1971, when he stopped making films, he had directed thirty feature films. Besides film, he was also an important figure in the theatre and television. He translated ancient Greek and foreign plays and taught at drama and film schools.