She rose to fame in Dallas: Take a moment to prepare for her performance today at the age of 84

Linda Gray became a household name through her role as Sue Ellen Ewing on the popular soap opera Dallas. Over the course of more than 300 episodes, she not only demonstrated her incredible talent, but also faced numerous personal challenges. Today, at the age of 84, Gray continues to shine.

Throughout film and television history, we have seen remarkable performances from countless actors. Some performances are so profound that it’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role. For example, who could imagine Little House on the Prairie without Michael Landon as Charles Ingalls or Mary Poppins without Dick Van Dyke as Bert? Likewise, Linda Gray’s portrayal of Sue Ellen is irreplaceable, and fans of the series are grateful that she was cast in such a central role.

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Gray’s life has been nothing short of extraordinary, a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs. She has battled life-threatening illnesses, addiction, and a challenging marriage. Despite these adversities, she has always emerged stronger and determined to make the most of her life and career.

Gray starred alongside Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy in “Dallas” and recently spoke about her experience working with Hagman and the dynamic chemistry they shared on set.

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Born in Santa Monica, California, on September 12, 1940, Gray faced a major challenge in her childhood when she was diagnosed with polio. Her grandfather had also contracted the virus, causing distress for her family. However, Linda remained surprisingly optimistic during her own diagnosis. “When he was 17, they didn’t know what it was and he was always in a wheelchair”, she recalls. “When I was diagnosed, everyone in my family went crazy, but I didn’t. I thought I could have a wheelchair like Grandpa.”

 

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Objavu dijeli Linda Gray (@lindagray_)

Growing up in Culver City, California, where her father owned a watchmaking business, Linda was drawn to the performing arts from a young age. She often entertained her neighbors and even played the role of Cinderella in a school production at Notre Dame Academy in Los Angeles.

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While her father provided a stable presence, he was emotionally distant. As Gray noted in her 2015 memoir, The Road to Happiness Is Always Under Construction: “He was just there, like a piece of furniture”, and emotional discussions were taboo. In contrast, her mother, Marge, a former artist and ballerina, struggled with alcoholism and left Linda and her sister in charge of the household. “She wasn’t mean, she was just fuzzy, in her own world”, Gray wrote. That upbringing inspired Linda to take a different path, determined to avoid her mother’s fate.

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Gray originally dreamed of a career in medicine, but she soon shifted her focus to acting, influenced by the Hollywood landscape that surrounded her. She spent her teenage years modeling for various companies and airlines.

At 21, Linda married photographer Edward Lee Thrasher, but the marriage became a struggle. Her ambitions took a back seat when she became a wife and mother, giving birth to son Jeff in 1960 and daughter Kehly six years later. Linda felt emotionally neglected, described the marriage as “cold”, and eventually decided to leave after 21 years.

 

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Objavu dijeli Linda Gray (@lindagray_)

Although her husband opposed her pursuing an acting career, Gray took the plunge and began landing television commercials. She had minor roles in films such as “Under the Yum Yum Tree” and “Palm Springs Weekend”, but hit the jackpot when, at age 27, she became Anne Bancroft’s body double for the poster of “The Graduate” (1967). Ironically, she later portrayed Mrs. Robinson in a 2001 stage adaptation of the same film.

In her memoir, Gray also shared a humorous rejection letter from Glamour magazine that she received in the early 1960s and kept as a reminder of her resilience.”It kicked me in the back and made me want to do something”, she said.

 

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Although she loved motherhood, the lack of a fulfilling career frustrated her. When she finally enrolled in acting classes, her husband rejected the idea and suggested she wait until her children were older. At 37, she was making progress, training alongside younger actors. It wasn’t long before she secured her first significant role as a guest star on Marcus Welby, M.D. in 1974.

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The turning point came in 1978, when Gray was cast as Sue Ellen Ewing in “Dallas”. Originally intended as a recurring role for just five episodes, her performance was well received by audiences and critics alike, leading to her becoming a regular on the series and becoming a star.

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Set against a backdrop of family rivalry and scandal at Southfork Ranch, Dallas showcased Gray’s extraordinary talent. Her chemistry with Larry Hagman was palpable, but she made it clear that it was based on a sibling bond. “He was the bad big brother I never had”, she explained. Their dynamic translated beautifully on screen, captivating both network executives and viewers.

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The show broke numerous viewing records and became one of the most watched television series in history. The iconic episode revealing who shot JR Ewing drew an estimated 80 million viewers, a record that was surpassed until it was broken by MASH*.

 

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Objavu dijeli Linda Gray (@lindagray_)

For her role, Gray received two Golden Globe nominations and an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress. After divorcing Ed Thrasher in 1983, her son Jeff pursued a career as a director and received an Emmy nomination in 2018. Tragically, he passed away in 2020 while battling leukemia. Gray honored him on Instagram, celebrating his life and the love he shared with those around him.

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During her time on Dallas, Gray appeared in 308 episodes. After the show ended, she continued to work in television, reprising her role as Sue Ellen in the 2012 revival of Dallas, which aired for two seasons. She received a special award at the 2014 USA Film Festival, further cementing her legacy.

Now, at 84, Linda Gray is still as stunning as ever. She has overcome many challenges, from the difficulties of her childhood to her troubled marriage and the loss of her son. Through it all, she has learned to turn adversity into resilience.

 

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Objavu dijeli Linda Gray (@lindagray_)

We admire her strength and wish her continued success in the years to come! Please share this inspiring story with your family and friends.