Linda Gray became a household name through her portrayal of Sue Ellen Ewing on the hit soap Dallas.
She stayed on the show for more than 300 episodes, but as much as she enjoyed a successful career, Gray also struggled with many things on a personal level.
This is the story of Linda Gray, who’s still going strong today at 82 years of age.
Throughout the history of television and film, we’ve seen actors deliver unforgettable performances. In those truly standout roles, it often feels as though the actors were born to play them — that no one else could have embodied the characters quite the same way.
For example, could anyone imagine Little House on the Prairie’s Charles Ingalls played by someone other than Michael Landon? Or Mary Poppins being the same without Dick Van Dyke as Bert?
Linda Gray – Sue Ellen Ewing
There are countless examples of roles like these, but here’s one more: it’s nearly impossible to picture the iconic series Dallas without Linda Gray as Sue Ellen Ewing. Many fans feel grateful she landed the part.
Linda Gray’s life has been extraordinary — a true roller coaster. She has battled life‑threatening illness, addiction, and a deeply unfulfilling marriage.
Yet despite the hardships, she has always emerged stronger, determined to make the most of her life and build a long, successful career.
On Dallas, Gray starred alongside Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy. Today, she reflects on what it was like working with Hagman and the secrets behind their remarkable on‑screen chemistry.
Early Life
Linda Gray was born September 12, 1940, in Santa Monica, California.
As a young child, she faced a major challenge when she was diagnosed with polio. Her grandfather had also suffered from the virus, and her parents were devastated. But Linda herself wasn’t frightened.
“They didn’t know what it was when he was 17, and he was always in a wheelchair,” she recalled. “When I was diagnosed, everyone went crazy in my family, but I wasn’t. I thought I could have a wheelchair like Grandpa.”
Gray grew up in Culver City, California, where her father owned a watchmaker shop. Performing came naturally to her — she entertained neighbors on the street and later starred as Cinderella in her school’s production.
Her father provided stability, though not emotional support.
“He was just kind of there, like a piece of furniture,” Gray wrote in her 2015 book The Road to Happiness Is Always Under Construction. “But he was supportive of my career.”
Her mother, Marge, a former artist and ballerina, was the opposite — troubled and a heavy drinker.
A Difficult Childhood
“She wasn’t falling‑down drunk… she was just blurred, in her own world,” Linda wrote. “She would forget to buy food, so I started doing the cooking. My sister and I didn’t like her.”
Marge eventually joined Alcoholics Anonymous and stopped drinking. Linda believes her mother’s alcoholism stemmed from disappointment and suppressed creativity — something Linda was determined to avoid.
“I felt that if I didn’t pursue my career the same thing could happen to me,” she said.
But challenges continued into adulthood.
A Nightmare Marriage
Growing up near Hollywood meant Linda was surrounded by show business. She and her friends often hung around studios after school, collecting autographs from stars like Tyrone Power and Spencer Tracy.
She originally wanted to study medicine, but the pull of the entertainment world changed her path. As a teen, she modeled for beauty companies and airlines.
At 21, she married photographer Edward Lee Thrasher — a marriage that soon became a nightmare. Her career was put on hold as she became a wife and mother. Their son Jeff was born in 1960, and daughter Kehly followed six years later.
The marriage was emotionally cold, and Linda felt abandoned.
“It tore me apart, but I thought, ‘Well, I can make this work somehow,’” she said. “It took me 21 years to leave my marriage.”
Ed didn’t want her working part‑time — he wanted a luxurious lifestyle. Linda saw an opportunity to break into show business and began appearing in commercials.
Early Career
She had two uncredited film appearances in 1963, but her first iconic job came at age 27: she was paid $25 to be Anne Bancroft’s body double in the poster for The Graduate (1967). Her legs appear in the famous image — and years later, she played Mrs. Robinson in the 2001 West End production.
Not everyone appreciated her early work. In her memoir, she shared a rejection letter from Glamour magazine.
“I kept the letter because we all have rejections,” she said. “It kicked me from behind and made me want to do something.”
Linda loved being a mother but longed for a career. When she finally took acting classes, her husband disapproved.
“He said, ‘Why don’t you become an actress when the children are in college?’”
But at 37, she pursued acting anyway. Actor Dennis Weaver recognized her talent and helped her land her first real role on Marcus Welby, M.D. in 1974.
Everything changed soon after.
Dallas
In 1978, Gray was cast as Sue Ellen Ewing on Dallas. Initially intended as a five‑episode guest role, she quickly became a series regular. Her performance made her a star.
Dallas was filled with corruption, betrayal, affairs, and scandal — and Gray’s portrayal of Sue Ellen was praised by critics. Her chemistry with Larry Hagman was undeniable.
Her Relationship with Larry Hagman
CBS executives saw magic between them, but Gray says it wasn’t romantic.
“He was the bad big brother I never had,” she said. “He drank too much, and I would reprimand him. He loved it.”
“I was a pain in the neck — and he loved it,” she added. “He would do things just to get me fired up. But when they said ‘action,’ we became J.R. and Sue Ellen. It was seamless. Absolute magic.”
The audience loved it too.
Television History
On November 21, 1980, the “Who Shot J.R.?” episode drew more than 80 million viewers — the largest U.S. TV audience for a single program at the time.
Gray earned two Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress in a Television Drama and a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress.
During her successful run on the show, Gray finally divorced her husband Ed Thrasher in 1983. Her son Jeff followed in his mother’s footsteps, becoming a director.
Jeff earned an Emmy nomination in 2018 for Outstanding Directing in a Multiple Camera Lifestyle, Culinary or Educational and Informational Program for Furze World Wonders. He also received a Canadian Screen Award for Best Science or Nature Documentary Program or Series for his 2015 Mission Asteroid.
Tragedy with son Jeff Thrasher
However, tragedy struck in 2020 when Jeff passed away following a reported battle with leukemia. On Instagram, Linda Gray posted a tribute to her late son.
“A celebration of my son Jeff’s life. He was the kindest, funniest, sweetest human being… he brought the world such love and was loved by everyone! May his journey be a magical one,” she wrote.
Linda Gray today at 84
Linda Gray appeared in an incredible 308 episodes of Dallas. But what did she do after the show?
She continued acting in several television series, and in 2012, she returned to the role of Sue Ellen Ewing when Dallas was renewed for two seasons. Gray also received a Special Award at the 2014 USA Film Festival. Today, she’s 84 years old — and still looks as stunning as ever.
Linda Gray has endured a great deal throughout her life, from her childhood to her first marriage and the heartbreaking loss of her son.
But one thing is certain: she has learned how to face hardship and transform it into the strength she needs to keep moving forward.
We love her for it, and wish her all the best in the future. Please share this article on Facebook with family and friends.
