Coleen Gray (born Doris Bernice Jensen; October 23, 1922 – August 3, 2015) was an American actress. She was best known for her roles in the films '' Nightmare Alley'' (1947), '' Red River'' (1948), and

Stanley Kubrick Stanley Kubrick (; July 26, 1928 – March 7, 1999) was an American film director, producer, screenwriter, and photographer. Widely considered one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, his films, almost all of which are adaptations of nove ...

's '' The Killing'' (1956).

Early years

Born to

Danish Danish may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to the country of Denmark People * A national or citizen of Denmark, also called a "Dane," see Demographics of Denmark * Culture of Denmark * Danish people or Danes, people with a Danish a ...

parents in

Staplehurst, Nebraska Staplehurst is a village in Seward County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Lincoln, Nebraska Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 242 at the 2010 census. History Staplehurst was established in 1879 when the railroad w ...

, Gray moved with her family to

Hutchinson, Minnesota Hutchinson is the largest city in McLeod County, Minnesota, United States. It lies along the South Fork of the Crow River. The population was 14,599 at the 2020 census. History The Hutchinson Family Singers (John, Asa, and Judson Hutchinson) ...

when she was seven. She grew up on a farm. After graduating from Hutchinson high school in 1943 as Doris Jensen, she studied drama at

Hamline University Hamline University is a private liberal arts college in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Founded in 1854, Hamline is known for its emphasis on experiential learning, service, and social justice. The university is named after Bishop Leonidas Lent Hamline o ...

, and graduated cum laude with a

Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four years ...

. She travelled to California, and worked as a waitress in a restaurant in

La Jolla La Jolla ( , ) is a hilly, seaside neighborhood within the city of San Diego, California, United States, occupying of curving coastline along the Pacific Ocean. The population reported in the 2010 census was 46,781. La Jolla is surrounded on ...

. After several weeks there, she moved to

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

and enrolled at

UCLA The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California. UCLA's academic roots were established in 1881 as a teachers college then known as the southern branch of the California St ...

. She also worked in the school's library and at a

YWCA The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) is a nonprofit organization with a focus on empowerment, leadership, and rights of women, young women, and girls in more than 100 countries. The World office is currently based in Geneva, Swi ...

while a student.

Stage

She had leading roles in the Los Angeles stage productions ''Letters to Lucerne'' and ''Brief Music'', which won her a

20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Dis ...

contract in 1944.Magers, p. 94.

Film appearances

After playing a bit part in ''

State Fair A state fair is an annual competitive and recreational gathering of a U.S. state's population, usually held in late summer or early fall. It is a larger version of a county fair, often including only exhibits or competitors that have won in th ...

'' (1945), she became pregnant and briefly stopped working, only to return a year later as the love interest of the character played by John Wayne in '' Red River'' (1948), which was shot in 1946 but held for release until 1948. Gray appeared in two 1947

films noir Film noir (; ) is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and motivations. The 1940s and 1950s are generally regarded as the "classic period" of American '' ...

: in '' Kiss of Death'' as

Victor Mature Victor John Mature (January 29, 1913 – August 4, 1999) was an American stage, film, and television actor who was a leading man in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s. His best known film roles include ''One Million B.C.'' (1940), '' My Darlin ...

's ex-con character's wife and

Richard Widmark Richard Weedt Widmark (December 26, 1914March 24, 2008) was an American film, stage, and television actor and producer. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as the villainous Tommy Udo in his debut film, '' Kiss of Death'' (1947) ...

's character's target; and in '' Nightmare Alley'' as

Tyrone Power Tyrone Edmund Power III (May 5, 1914 – November 15, 1958) was an American actor. From the 1930s to the 1950s, Power appeared in dozens of films, often in swashbuckler roles or romantic leads. His better-known films include ''Jesse James'', ' ...

's character's carnival performer wife, "Electra." In 1947, Gray used her musical abilities as she sang her part live while filming (rather than having her voice dubbed) opposite

Bing Crosby Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, musician and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwide. He was a ...

in '' Riding High'', directed by Frank Capra. ''Riding High'' was not a success and Fox ended her contract in 1950. Gray worked steadily in the 1950s, but mostly in smaller movies. She played a crooked nurse in '' The Sleeping City'' (1950) and appeared in ''

Kansas City Confidential ''Kansas City Confidential'' is a 1952 American film noir and crime film directed by Phil Karlson starring John Payne and Coleen Gray. The film was released in the United Kingdom as ''The Secret Four''. Karlson and Payne teamed a year later fo ...

'' (1952) and in the

film noir '' The Killing'' (1956), in which she plays the loyal girlfriend of criminal

Sterling Hayden Sterling Walter Hayden (born Sterling Relyea Walter; March 26, 1916 – May 23, 1986) was an American actor, author, sailor and decorated Marine Corps officer and an Office of Strategic Services' agent during World War II. A leading man for mos ...

. In the 1953 Western ''

The Vanquished ''The Vanquished'' is a 1953 American Western film directed by Edward Ludwig, written by Lewis R. Foster, Winston Miller and Frank L. Moss, and starring John Payne, Jan Sterling, Coleen Gray, Lyle Bettger, Willard Parker, Roy Gordon and John D ...

'', she played a woman who attacks

Jan Sterling Jan Sterling (born Jane Sterling Adriance; April 3, 1921 – March 26, 2004) was an American film, television and stage actress. At her most active in films during the 1950s (immediately prior to which she had joined the Actors Studio), Sterling ...

's character with a pair of scissors in a crazed attempt to exonerate the man she loves ( John Payne). Other films included ''

Father Is a Bachelor ''Father Is a Bachelor'' is a 1950 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Abby Berlin and Norman Foster. It stars William Holden and Coleen Gray. Plot Carefree vagabond Johnny Rutledge is stuck in a small town when his medicine show ...

'' (1950), ''

The Leech Woman ''The Leech Woman'' is a 1960 black-and-white US horror film from Universal-International, produced by Joseph Gershenon, directed by Edward Dein, and starring Coleen Gray, Grant Williams, Gloria Talbott, and Phillip Terry. The film was actual ...

'' (1960), ''

The Phantom Planet ''The Phantom Planet'' is a 1961 independently made American black-and-white science fiction film, produced by Fred Gebhardt, directed by William Marshall, that stars Dean Fredericks, Coleen Gray, Anthony Dexter, and Francis X. Bushman. The fi ...

'' (1961), and '' P.J.'' (1968). Gray appeared in ''The Late Liz'' (1971), and acted in the films ''Forgotten Lady'' (1977), and ''Mother'' (1978) with

Patsy Ruth Miller Patsy Ruth Miller (born Patricia Ruth Miller; January 17, 1904 – July 16, 1995) was an American film actress who played Esméralda in ''The Hunchback of Notre Dame'' (1923) opposite Lon Chaney. Early years Miller was born and raised in St. ...

. ''Mother'' had a premiere at the

Museum of Modern Art The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is an art museum located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, on 53rd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. It plays a major role in developing and collecting modern art, and is often identified as one of ...

in New York City. Both ''Mother'' and ''Forgotten Lady'' were written for Gray by Brian Pinette, who also served as director and producer. She appeared in the religious film ''Cry From the Mountain'' (1986, in the USA), directed by James F. Collier.

Television

From the 1950s, Gray guest-starred in episodes of television series such as ''

Four Star Playhouse ''Four Star Playhouse'' is an American anthology series that ran from 1952 to 1956. Four Star Playhouse was owned by Four Star International. Its episodes ranged anywhere from surreal mysteries, such as "The Man on the Train", to light comedie ...

'', ''

Maverick Maverick, Maveric or Maverik may refer to: History * Maverick (animal), an unbranded range animal, derived from U.S. cattleman Samuel Maverick Aviation * AEA Maverick, an Australian single-seat sportsplane design * General Aviation Design Burea ...

'', ''

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, aired on CBS and NBC between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers and mysteries. Between 1962 and 1965 it was ren ...

'', ''

Perry Mason Perry Mason is a fictional character, an American criminal defense lawyer who is the main character in works of detective fiction written by Erle Stanley Gardner. Perry Mason features in 82 novels and 4 short stories, all of which involve a c ...

'', ''

Mr. Ed ''Mister Ed'' is an American television sitcom produced by Filmways that aired in syndication from January 5 to July 2, 1961, and then on CBS from October 1, 1961, to February 6, 1966. The show's title character is a talking horse which orig ...

'', '' Tales of Wells Fargo'' in 1960 in the episode "The Journey" as Sandra Morton, '' Rawhide'' in 1962 in the episode "The Devil and the Deep Blue" as Helen Wade, ''

77 Sunset Strip ''77 Sunset Strip'' is an American television private detective drama series created by Roy Huggins and starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Roger Smith, Richard Long (from 1960 to 1961) and Edd Byrnes (billed as Edward Byrnes). Each episode was o ...

'', '' Bonanza'', ''

The Deputy ''The Deputy, a Christian tragedy'' (German: ''Der Stellvertreter. Ein christliches Trauerspiel''), also published in English as ''The Representative '', is a controversial 1963 play by Rolf Hochhuth which portrayed Pope Pius XII as having failed ...

'', '' Have Gun Will Travel'', ''

The Dakotas The Dakotas is a collective term for the U.S. states of North Dakota and South Dakota. It has been used historically to describe the Dakota Territory, and is still used for the collective heritage, culture, geography, fauna, sociology, econom ...

'', ''

Family Affair ''Family Affair'' is an American sitcom starring Brian Keith and Sebastian Cabot that aired on CBS from September 12, 1966, to March 4, 1971. The series explored the trials of well-to-do engineer and bachelor Bill Davis (Keith) as he attempte ...

'', '' Ironside'', '' Lawman'', '' The Name of the Game'', '' Branded'', and ''

Tales from the Darkside ''Tales from the Darkside'' is an American anthology horror TV series created by George A. Romero. Debuting in October 1983 with a pilot episode and then being picked up for syndication in September 1984, the show ran for 4 seasons through Ju ...

''. On May 23, 1962, she was cast as Miss Wycliffe in the series finale, "A Job for Summer", of the

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainm ...

comedy/drama series, ''

Window on Main Street ''Window on Main Street'' is an American comedy-drama television series starring Robert Young about an author who returns to his home town after an absence of many years to write about the people and events there. Original episodes aired from Oct ...

'', starring Robert Young as a widowed author in his hometown. She made four guest appearances on ''

'', including the title role of defendant Lorraine Kendall in the 1960 episode, "The Case of the Wandering Widow." Gray was a regular on the daytime dramas ''

Bright Promise ''Bright Promise'' is an American daytime soap opera that ran on NBC from September 29, 1969 to March 31, 1972. Synopsis The show revolved around students and faculty at the fictional Bancroft College, located in the community of Bancroft, somew ...

'' and '' Days of Our Lives''.

Personal life

Gray married

Rod Amateau Rodney Amateau (December 20, 1923 – June 29, 2003) was an American film and television screenwriter, director, and producer. Career Among the programs that he directed were '' The Dennis Day Show'', ''The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show'', ...

, a screenwriter, on August 10, 1945; they divorced on February 11, 1949, and had one daughter, Susan. Gray's second husband was William Clymer Bidlack, an aviation executive. They were married from July 14, 1953, until his death in 1978. The union produced a son, Bruce Robin Bidlack. In 1979, Gray married widowed Biblical scholar Joseph Fritz Zeiser; they remained together until his death in March 2012. They worked together in Presbyterian causes and the

non-profit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

Prison Fellowship Prison Fellowship is the world's largest Christian nonprofit organization for prisoners, former prisoners, and their families, and a leading advocate for justice reform.Mark Oppenheimer ''New York Times'' (April 27, 2012). History Prison Fell ...

, founded in 1976 by

Chuck Colson Chuck is a masculine given name or a nickname for Charles or Charlie. It may refer to: People Arts and entertainment * Chuck Alaimo, American saxophonist, leader of the Chuck Alaimo Quartet * Chuck Barris (1929–2017), American TV producer * C ...

. Gray was a Republican and supported Barry Goldwater in the 1964 United States presidential election. That same year, along with actors

Victor Jory Victor Jory (November 23, 1902 – February 12, 1982) was a Canadian-American actor of stage, film, and television. He initially played romantic leads, but later was mostly cast in villainous or sinister roles, such as Oberon in ''A Midsummer N ...

and

Susan Seaforth Susan Seaforth Hayes (born Susan Seabold; July 11, 1943) is an American dramatic actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Julie Williams on the NBC drama '' Days of Our Lives'', and her intermittent portrayal of Joanna Manning on the C ...

, she testified before the United States Congress as part of "Project Prayer", arguing in favor of a constitutional amendment allowing school prayer. Gray, at age 92, died of natural causes in her Bel Air home in Los Angeles on August 3, 2015. She was

cremated Cremation is a method of final disposition of a dead body through burning. Cremation may serve as a funeral or post-funeral rite and as an alternative to burial. In some countries, including India and Nepal, cremation on an open-air pyre i ...

Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Mortuary is a cemetery and mortuary located in the Westwood Village area of Los Angeles. It is located at 1218 Glendon Avenue in Westwood, with an entrance from Glendon Avenue. The cemetery was ...

and her ashes given to her stepson, Rick Zeiser. Her memorial service was held at the Bel Air Presbyterian Church where she, and her third husband, Joseph Fritz Zeiser, had been active members.

Public service

Gray was a member of the board of directors at her alma mater,

. She was also active within the following organizations: WAIF, the child adoption organization as President, The March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, American Mental Health Association, Los Angeles Epilepsy Society, Junior Blind, The Bel-Air Republican Women's Group, and the

Boy Scouts of America The Boy Scouts of America (BSA, colloquially the Boy Scouts) is one of the largest scouting organizations and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with about 1.2 million youth participants. The BSA was founded i ...

and the

Girl Scouts of the United States of America Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA), commonly referred to as simply Girl Scouts, is a youth organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad. Founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912, it was organized a ...

Complete filmography

*''

'' (1945) - Girl with Pappy (uncredited) *''

Three Little Girls in Blue ''Three Little Girls in Blue'' is a 1946 Technicolor musical film directed by H. Bruce Humberstone and starring June Haver along with George Montgomery, Vivian Blaine, Celeste Holm, and Vera-Ellen. The 20th Century-Fox film was adapted from S ...

'' (1946) - Girl at the Beach (uncredited) *''

The Shocking Miss Pilgrim ''The Shocking Miss Pilgrim'' is a 1947 American musical comedy film in Technicolor written and directed by George Seaton and starring Betty Grable and Dick Haymes. The screenplay, based on a story by Ernest Maas and Frederica Maas, focuses on ...

'' (1947) (scenes cut) *'' Kiss of Death'' (1947) - Nettie *'' Nightmare Alley'' (1947) - Molly *'' Fury at Furnace Creek'' (1948) - Molly Baxter *'' Red River'' (1948) - Fen *''

Sand Sand is a granular material composed of finely divided mineral particles. Sand has various compositions but is defined by its grain size. Sand grains are smaller than gravel and coarser than silt. Sand can also refer to a textural class of s ...

'' (1949) - Joan Hartley *''

'' (1950) - Prudence Millett *'' Riding High'' (1950) - Alice Higgins *'' The Sleeping City'' (1950) - Ann Sebastian *''

I'll Get You for This ''I'll Get You for This'' (released in the US as ''Lucky Nick Cain'') is a 1951 British thriller film by Joseph M. Newman starring George Raft, Coleen Gray, and Enzo Staiola. It was made from an adaptation by George Callahan and William Ro ...

'' (1951) - Kay Wonderly *''

Apache Drums ''Apache Drums'' is a 1951 American Western film directed by Hugo Fregonese and produced by Val Lewton. The drama features Stephen McNally, Coleen Gray, and Willard Parker. The film was based on an original story: ''Stand at Spanish Boot'', by ...

'' (1951) - Sally *''

Models Inc. ''Models Inc.'' is an American prime time soap opera that aired on Fox during the 1994–95 television season. A spin-off of ''Melrose Place'', it is the third series in the ''Beverly Hills, 90210'' franchise. ''Models Inc.'' revolves around ...

'' (1952) - Rusty Faraday *''

'' (1952) - Helen Foster *''

'' (1953) - Jane Colfax *'' Sabre Jet'' (1953) - Mrs. Gil Manton, aka Jane Carter *'' The Fake'' (1953) - Mary Mason *''

Arrow In the Dust ''Arrow In the Dust'' is a 1954 American western film directed by Lesley Selander and starring Sterling Hayden, Coleen Gray and Keith Larsen.Pitts p.15 Shot in Technicolor, it was produced and distributed by Allied Artists. The film is based o ...

'' (1954) - Christella Burke *'' Las Vegas Shakedown'' (1955) - Julie Rae *''

Tennessee's Partner ''Tennessee's Partner'' is a 1955 American Western film directed by Allan Dwan, written by Graham Baker, D. D. Beauchamp, Milton Krims, and Teddi Sherman, with uncredited rewrites by Dwan, and starring John Payne, Ronald Reagan, Rhonda Fl ...

'' (1955) - Goldie Slater, w/Ronald Reagan *''

The Twinkle in God's Eye ''The Twinkle in God's Eye'' is a 1955 American Western film directed by George Blair and written by P.J. Wolfson. The film stars Mickey Rooney, Coleen Gray, Hugh O'Brian, Joey Forman, Don "Red" Barry and Mike Connors. The film was released o ...

'' (1955) - Laura *''

The Wild Dakotas ''The Wild Dakotas'' is a 1956 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Tom W. Blackburn. The film stars Bill Williams, Coleen Gray, Jim Davis, John Litel, Dick Jones, John Miljan and Lisa Montell. The film was released ...

'' (1956) - Sue "Lucky" Duneen *''

Star in the Dust ''Star in the Dust'' is a 1956 American Western film directed by Charles F. Haas and starring John Agar, Mamie Van Doren and Richard Boone. In the town of Gunlock, sheriff Bill Jorden is due to hang Sam Hall for cattle-stealing. Jorden has to ...

'' (1956) - Nellie Mason *'' The Killing'' (1956) - Fay *''

Frontier Gambler ''Frontier Gambler'' is a 1956 American Western film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Orville H. Hampton. The film stars John Bromfield, Coleen Gray, Kent Taylor, Jim Davis, Margia Dean and Veda Ann Borg. The film was released on July ...

'' (1956) - Sylvia "The Princess" Melbourne *'' Death of a Scoundrel'' (1956) - Mrs. Edith Van Renasslear *''

The Black Whip ''The Black Whip'' is a 1957 American Civil War Western film directed by Charles Marquis Warren and starring Hugh Marlowe and Coleen Gray. The film brief describes the film as "two brothers rescue four dance-hall girls, and encounter trouble f ...

'' (1956) - Jeannie *'' Destination 60,000'' (1957) - Mary Ellen *'' The Vampire'' (1957) - Carol Butler *''

Copper Sky ''Copper Sky'' is a 1957 American Western film directed by Charles Marquis Warren and written by Eric Norden. The film stars Jeff Morrow, Coleen Gray, Strother Martin, Paul Brinegar, John Pickard and Patrick O'Moore. The film was released in ...

'' (1957) - Nora Hayes *'' Hell's Five Hours'' (1958) - Nancy Brand *'' Johnny Rocco'' (1958) - Lois Mayfield *''

'' (1960) - June Talbot *''

'' (1961) - Liara *'' Town Tamer'' (1965) - Carol Rosser *'' P.J.'' (1968) - Betty Orbison *''

The Late Liz ''The Late Liz'' is a 1971 American drama film directed by Dick Ross and written by Bill Rega. It is based on the 1957 book ''The Late Liz'' by Gertrude Behanna (pen name Elizabeth Burns). The film stars Anne Baxter, Steve Forrest, James Gregor ...

'' (1971) - Sue Webb *'' Ellery Queen: Don't Look Behind You'' (1971, TV Movie) - Mrs. Cazalis *''Mother'' (1978) - Angela Harding *''

The Best Place to Be ''The Best Place to Be'' is a 1979 American TV film produced by Ross Hunter. It marked Donna Reed's return to acting after 13 years. Hunter planned a sequel but this did not eventuate. Plot A widowed mother has an affair with a younger man. Ca ...

'' (1979, TV Movie) - Dottie Parker *''Cry From the Mountain'' (1985) - Marian Rissman

Radio appearances

References

External links

* * * *
Yahoo biography

Photograph of Coleen Gray

Coleen Gray
(Aveleyman) {{DEFAULTSORT:Gray, Coleen American film actresses American television actresses 1922 births 2015 deaths Actresses from Nebraska Hamline University alumni People from Seward County, Nebraska 20th-century American actresses 20th Century Studios contract players Actresses from Los Angeles American people of Danish descent California Republicans American Presbyterians New Right (United States) University of California, Los Angeles alumni