Coleen Gray
Coleen Gray was an American actress born on October 23, 1922, in Staplehurst, Nebraska. She had a successful career in film and television, making notable contributions to various genres, including film noir.
Gray began her acting career in the late 1940s and quickly gained attention for her talent and natural beauty. She signed a contract with 20th Century Fox, which led to her breakthrough role in the film noir classic "Kiss of Death" (1947), directed by Henry Hathaway. In the film, Gray played Nettie, the loyal girlfriend of a criminal played by Victor Mature.
Her performance was well-received, and she showcased her ability to portray both vulnerability and strength, a characteristic often found in film noir heroines.
Following her success in "Kiss of Death," Gray continued to appear in films of various genres, including westerns, dramas, and thrillers. In film noir, she delivered compelling performances in movies such as "Nightmare Alley" (1947), where she portrayed a carnival worker, and "The Sleeping City" (1950), in which she played a nurse caught up in a murder investigation.
In addition to her work in film noir, Gray appeared in other notable films throughout her career, including "Red River" (1948), directed by Howard Hawks, and "The Killing" (1956), directed by Stanley Kubrick. She worked with acclaimed directors and shared the screen with renowned actors, showcasing her versatility and ability to adapt to different roles.
In the 1950s, Gray began to transition to television, making appearances in various television series and movies. She continued to work in both mediums, with roles in shows like "Perry Mason" and "The Virginian," as well as in films such as "The Leech Woman" (1960).
Coleen Gray's career spanned several decades, and she left a lasting impact on the film industry. Her contributions to film noir, with her ability to portray intriguing and multi-dimensional characters, solidified her as a memorable figure in the genre. Her talent, beauty, and versatility made her a respected actress in both film and television, and her work continues to be appreciated by fans of classic cinema. Gray passed away on August 3, 2015, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable performances.
Gray began her acting career in the late 1940s and quickly gained attention for her talent and natural beauty. She signed a contract with 20th Century Fox, which led to her breakthrough role in the film noir classic "Kiss of Death" (1947), directed by Henry Hathaway. In the film, Gray played Nettie, the loyal girlfriend of a criminal played by Victor Mature.
Her performance was well-received, and she showcased her ability to portray both vulnerability and strength, a characteristic often found in film noir heroines.
Following her success in "Kiss of Death," Gray continued to appear in films of various genres, including westerns, dramas, and thrillers. In film noir, she delivered compelling performances in movies such as "Nightmare Alley" (1947), where she portrayed a carnival worker, and "The Sleeping City" (1950), in which she played a nurse caught up in a murder investigation.
In addition to her work in film noir, Gray appeared in other notable films throughout her career, including "Red River" (1948), directed by Howard Hawks, and "The Killing" (1956), directed by Stanley Kubrick. She worked with acclaimed directors and shared the screen with renowned actors, showcasing her versatility and ability to adapt to different roles.
In the 1950s, Gray began to transition to television, making appearances in various television series and movies. She continued to work in both mediums, with roles in shows like "Perry Mason" and "The Virginian," as well as in films such as "The Leech Woman" (1960).
Coleen Gray's career spanned several decades, and she left a lasting impact on the film industry. Her contributions to film noir, with her ability to portray intriguing and multi-dimensional characters, solidified her as a memorable figure in the genre. Her talent, beauty, and versatility made her a respected actress in both film and television, and her work continues to be appreciated by fans of classic cinema. Gray passed away on August 3, 2015, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable performances.
quotes:
[on Mamie Van Doren, with whom she worked in Star in the Dust (1956)] Oh goodness. She was from the blonde wig and tits era of Marilyn Monroe types. The producer of the film was Albert Zugsmith. When she met him, she said, "Glad to meet you, Mr. Smith".
[on Fury at Furnace Creek (1948)] I always was concerned about doing my best in the part. I wanted to do justice to the character, whatever it was. I went to the director [H. Bruce Humberstone] to ask about the interpretation of the character. I wanted to know what the character was like before the point where the script began. Mr. Humberstone barked, "Just be like Betty Grable when it comes to lines--learn them, do them!". Victor Mature later ended up throwing him through a set, but it was on another picture, so I didn't get to see it!"
- Coleen Gray
trivia:
She and husband Fritz Zeiser were involved with the non-profit volunteer organization Prison Fellowship, founded in 1976 by Charles Colson (a former prisoner himself for his involvement in the Watergate scandal), which assists the church in providing ministry to prisoners and their families, as well as their victims. In 1964, along with Victor Jory and Susan Seaforth Hayes, Gray testified before the US Congress as part of "Project Prayer," arguing in favor of a constitutional amendment allowing school prayer.
She was in a relationship with John Payne from 1952 to 1953.
She studied acting under the direction of drama teacher Carl Heinz Roth, a former assistant to Max Reinhardt.
She was in a relationship with John Payne from 1952 to 1953.
She studied acting under the direction of drama teacher Carl Heinz Roth, a former assistant to Max Reinhardt.
