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Elspet Gray

Acting Born Feb 18, 1929 Inverness, Inverness Shire, Scotland, UK 24 credits

Biography

Elspet Jean Gray, Baroness Rix (née Gray; 12 April 1929 – 18 February 2013) was a Scottish actress, who first became known for her partnership with her husband, Brian Rix, and later was cast in many television roles in the 1970s and 1980s. She played Lady Collingford in the television series Catweazle and Mrs. Palmer in the television series Solo, alongside Felicity Kendal.

Gray had a long stage career, particularly known for her appearances in the Whitehall farces, the company being managed by her husband Brian Rix, which were originally performed at the Whitehall Theatre and later at the Garrick.

Gray married Brian Rix in 1949. The couple had four children - two sons and two daughters. Their eldest child, daughter Shelley (born 1951) had Down syndrome. The experience of caring for her led the couple to become active campaigners for the disabled. Rix later became Mencap chairman and president. He became a life peer in 1992.

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Known for

Casualty

as Mary Porter
Film

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

as Chancellor Thalia

Blackadder

as The Queen

Fawlty Towers

as Mrs. Abbott

Full filmography

  • Casualty (1986) as Mary Porter
  • Doctor Who (1963) as Chancellor Thalia
  • Screen Two (1985) as Mrs. Grigson
  • Blackadder (1983) as The Queen
  • Inspector Morse (1987) as Mrs Bartlett
  • Sunday Night Theatre (1950) as Rita Ronan
  • Fawlty Towers (1975) as Mrs. Abbott
  • Tenko (1981) as Phyllis Bristow
  • Catweazle (1970) as Lady Collingford
  • The Agatha Christie Hour (1982) as Mrs Carslake
  • Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) as Laura's Mother - Wedding One
  • Colonel March of Scotland Yard (1956) as Johanna
  • dinnerladies (1998) as Hilary
  • Lytton's Diary (1985) as Susan Anderson
  • Pulaski (1987) as Celia Parker-Smith
  • Strange Experiences (1955) as Querella
  • Doctor Finlay (1993) as Mrs. Finlay
  • Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969) as Lady Sutterwick (uncredited)
  • The Wingless Bird (1997) as Grace Farrier
  • Solo (1981)
  • The Funny Blokes of British Comedy (2005) as Mrs. Abbott (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • The Many Wives Of Patrick (1976)
  • Blackadder's Most Cunning Moments (2008) as Self
  • Blackadder: The Lost Pilot (2023) as The Queen