Olav Kyrre Grepp was born 1926 in Oslo. His mother was from Bergen family of Grepp, and he bears the name of the Norwegian politician Olav Kyrre Grepp (1879 - 1922).
He completed his examen artium (high school diploma) in 1947 and joined Norsk Film A/S in Oslo where he was known as the technical editor of Ukerevyen. He also started a life-long career as maker of documentaries, as well as movie editor of various films in Norway. He was one of the first film inspectors of the newly established Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) when he joined in 1961.