Linda Gray
Biography
Linda Gray, born September 12 1940 in Santa Monica, California, is an American actress, director, producer and former model. She began her career in the 1960s appearing in television commercials and, during the 1970s, took roles in a variety of TV series. Gray is best known for portraying Sue Ellen Ewing, the long‑suffering wife of Larry Hagman’s J.R. Ewing, on the CBS drama Dallas, a role she originated in 1978 and reprised through the series’ original run (1978–1989, 1991) and its later revival (2012–2014). Her performance earned a 1981 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and two Golden Globe Awards. After departing Dallas in 1989, she appeared opposite Sylvester Stallone.
Career overview
Linda Gray, born on September 12 1940 in Santa Monica, California, is an American film, stage and television actress who has also worked as a director, producer and former model. She began her professional career in the 1960s appearing in television commercials, and throughout the 1970s she accumulated a variety of guest appearances in numerous television series. This early work led to her most recognized role when she was cast as Sue Ellen Ewing, the long‑suffering wife of J.R. Ewing, on the CBS drama Dallas. Gray portrayed Sue Ellen during the series’ original run from 1978 to 1989, returned for the 1991 television movie, and later reprised the character in the 2012–2014 revival.
Her performance on Dallas earned her a nomination for the 1981 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and secured two Golden Globe Awards. After departing Dallas in 1989, Gray continued to work in film, appearing opposite Sylvester Stallone. Throughout her career she has amassed over 70 credited roles across film and television, reflecting a long‑standing presence in the entertainment industry.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Ladies of the '80s: A Divas Christmas (2023) as Lauren Ewing
- Il était une fois Champs-Élysées (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- Stars in the House (2020) as Self
- Dumbo (2019) as Dreamland Audience
- Grand-Daddy Day Care (2019) as Blanche
- Prescience (2019) as Kathlyn Smith
- Cruising with Jane McDonald (2017) as Herself
- Bornebusch i tevefabriken (2016) as Guest
- Wally's Will (2016) as Wally
- Perfect Match (2015) as Gabby Taylor
- Hand of God (2014) as Aunt Val
- Dallas (2012) as Sue Ellen Ewing
- Hidden Moon (2012) as Eva Brighton
- The Flight of the Swan (2011) as Alexis' mother
- Expecting Mary (2010) as Darnella
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (2009) as Self - Guest
- 90210 (2008) as Victoria Brewer
- That's What I Call Television (2007) as Self
- Pepper Dennis (2006) as Barbara Meryl
- Bring Back... (2005) as Self - Sue Ellen Ewing
- McBride: It's Murder, Madam (2005) as Victoria Sawyer
- Dallas Reunion: Return to Southfork (2004) as Self
- Good Day Live (2001) as Self
- Television: The First Fifty Years (1999) as Self / Sue Ellen Ewing (archive footage)
- Dallas: War of The Ewings (1998) as Sue Ellen Ewing
- The View (1997) as Self
- When The Cradle Falls (1997) as Helen Sawyer
- Dallas: J.R. Returns (1996) as Sue Ellen Ewing
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Marian Campbell
- Models Inc. (1994) as Hillary Michaels
- Moment of Truth: Broken Pledges (1994) as Eileen Stevens
- Moment of Truth: Broken Pledges (1994) Co-Producer
- Accidental Meeting (1994) as Jennifer Parris
- To My Daughter With Love (1994) as Eleanor Monroe
- Intimate Portrait (1993) as Self
- Bonanza: The Return (1993) as Abigail 'Laredo' Stimmons
- Moment of Truth: Why My Daughter? (1993) as Gayle Moffitt
- Melrose Place (1992) as Hillary Michaels
- Highway Heartbreaker (1992) as Catherine
- Oscar (1991) as Roxanne
- Rodney Dangerfield's The Really Big Show (1991) as Self
- The Entertainers (1991) as Laura
- Ein Schloß am Wörthersee (1990) as Self
- This Morning (1988) as Self - Guest
- The Gambler: The Legend Continues (1987) as Mary Collins
- Lovejoy (1986) as Cassandra Lynch
- Night of 100 Stars II (1985) as Self
- La Chance aux chansons (1984) as Self
- Wogan (1982) as Self
- Champs-Elysées (1982) as Self
- Night of 100 Stars (1982) as Self
- Not in Front of the Children (1982) as Nancy Carruthers
- exclusiv (1982) as Self
- Haywire (1980) as Nan
- The Wild and the Free (1980) as Linda Davenport
- The Two Worlds of Jennie Logan (1979) as Elizabeth Harrington
- Dallas (1978) as Sue Ellen Shepard
- Dallas (1978) as Sue Ellen Shepard Ewing
- The Grass Is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank (1978) as Leslie Corliss
- Auf los geht's los (1977) as Self
- All That Glitters (1977) as Linda Murkland
- Big Hawaii (1977)
- Dogs (1976) as Miss Engle
- The Amazing World of Psychic Phenomena (1976)
- Switch (1975) as Alison
- McCoy (1975)
- The Manhunter (1974)
- Dark Places (1973) as Woman on Hill
- Emergency! (1972)
- McCloud (1970)
- BBC Play of the Month (1965) as Mrs. Cowper-Cowper
- Under the Yum Yum Tree (1963) as College Girl (uncredited)
- Under the Yum Yum Tree (1963) as College girl
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Wendy Truesdale
- Bambi (1948) as Self
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Co-Hostess / Nominee
- Bring Back... Dallas as Self