Linda Gray Net Worth

Linda Gray’s Net Worth: A Look at the Life and Career of the ‘Dallas’ Star

Introduction: The Enduring Legacy of Linda Gray

Linda Gray is an iconic American actress, celebrated for her captivating performances and enduring presence in the entertainment industry. Best known for her role as Sue Ellen Ewing in the long-running television series “Dallas,” Gray has built a career spanning modeling, television, film, and stage. This article delves into Linda Gray’s net worth, her journey through Hollywood, and the various facets of her life, providing an in-depth look at her impressive career.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Born on September 12, 1940, in Santa Monica, California, Linda Gray’s early life was rooted in Culver City. Her father, Leslie, worked as a watchmaker. Tragedy struck the family in 1989 when her younger sister, Betty, succumbed to breast cancer. Gray’s career began in the modeling world during the 1960s, a stepping stone that led to numerous television commercials. This experience honed her skills in front of the camera, setting the stage for her acting career. Notably, she had an uncredited role in the 1963 film “Palm Springs Weekend” and even served as the leg stand-in for Anne Bancroft in the iconic 1967 film “The Graduate”.

Television Career: Sue Ellen Ewing and Beyond

Linda Gray’s professional acting debut occurred in 1974 with an episode of the ABC medical drama “Marcus Welby, M.D.” Further appearances followed in “McCloud” and “Switch,” solidifying her presence on television. Her first main role came in 1977 with Norman Lear’s sitcom “All That Glitters,” a bold parody of soap operas where she played fashion model Linda Murkland, a groundbreaking character in the role as the first transgender character in a regular role on American television. Additional appearances on “Big Hawaii” and “Emergency!” preceded her breakthrough role in 1978. This was the role of a lifetime as Sue Ellen Ewing on the CBS primetime soap opera “Dallas.” The character of Sue Ellen, the long-suffering wife of the notorious J.R. Ewing, catapulted Gray to international fame. She starred in 308 episodes of the series’ original run from 1978 to 1989 and earned both Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her portrayal of the alcoholic and troubled Sue Ellen. After “Dallas,” Gray continued her television work with appearances on “Lovejoy,” “Melrose Place,” and “Mighty Max.”

From 1994 to 1995, Gray took on another main role in the primetime soap opera “Models Inc.,” a spin-off of “Melrose Place,” where she played the owner of a Los Angeles modeling agency. The show was canceled after a single season. She later guest-starred in “Touched by an Angel” and appeared in five episodes of “The Bold and the Beautiful.” Gray reprised her iconic role as Sue Ellen Ewing in the revival of “Dallas” from 2012 to 2014, appearing in 40 episodes. Her more recent television credits include recurring roles in the British soap opera “Hollyoaks” and the streaming series “Hand of God.” Additionally, she has starred in several television films, including “Murder in Peyton Place,” “Haywire,” “The Wild and the Free,” “Highway Heartbreaker,” “Accidental Meeting,” and the “Dallas” reunion films “Dallas: J.R. Returns” and “Dallas: War of the Ewings.”

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Film Career: From ‘Dogs’ to ‘Grand-Daddy Day Care’

Linda Gray’s film career commenced in 1976 with a role in the horror film “Dogs.” After a hiatus from the big screen, she returned in 1991 with a role in the comedy “Oscar,” where she played the ex-girlfriend of Sylvester Stallone’s character. “Oscar” was a remake of the 1967 French film of the same name and featured an ensemble cast including Don Ameche, Tim Curry, Marisa Tomei, Eddie Bracken, and Chazz Palminteri.

Gray’s film work continued with the dramedy “Expecting Mary” in 2010, which co-starred Elliott Gould, Cloris Leachman, Cybill Shepherd, Fred Willard, and Gene Simmons. In this film, she portrayed Darnella, a showgirl living in a trailer park, and involved in a relationship with Gould’s character. In 2012, she appeared in the Mexican drama “Hidden Moon,” alongside Ana Serradilla, Johnathon Schaech, Wes Bentley, and Osvaldo de Léon. Her most recent film credit is the 2019 direct-to-video comedy “Grand-Daddy Day Care.”

Stage Career: A Theatrical Journey

Linda Gray’s theatrical contributions have been significant. She played Mrs. Robinson in the West End production of “The Graduate” in 2001, which was a unique full-circle moment as she had provided the legs for Anne Bancroft in the film version 44 years earlier. She later reprised the role on Broadway in 2002, stepping in for Kathleen Turner for a month. In 2007, Gray starred in the world premiere of “Terms of Endearment” at the York Theatre Royal, and she continued with the production on tour throughout the United Kingdom. In 2014, she portrayed the Fairy Godmother in a London production of “Cinderella.” Her other stage credits include roles in “Agnes of God,” “The Vagina Monologues,” and “Love Letters.” Moreover, Gray made her directing debut with the play “Murder in the First.”

Personal Life and Family

Linda Gray was married to artist Ed Thrasher from 1962 to 1983. Thrasher, an art director at Warner Bros, designed album covers for renowned musicians such as The Grateful Dead, The Doobie Brothers, and Jimi Hendrix. The couple had two children. Furthermore, Ed’s sister, Marilyn Thrasher, is the mother of actress Lindsay Wagner, making Linda Gray the aunt of the “Bionic Woman” star.

Real Estate Ventures

In 1971, Linda Gray and Ed Thrasher invested in a significant property in Santa Clarita, California, purchasing nearly three acres for $3 million. They undertook substantial renovations, with architect A. Quincey Jones involved in the project. In 2018, Gray listed the property for sale for just under $3 million but was unable to find a buyer and removed the listing. She relisted the home in March 2022 for a similar price.

In 1981, she acquired a ranch-style home in Beverly Hills Post Office (an area technically outside Beverly Hills but serviced by the postal workers and fire/police of that city) for $590,000 and sold it in 2011 for $2.7 million.

Linda Gray’s Net Worth

As of 2024, Linda Gray’s net worth is estimated to be $12 million. This figure reflects her successful career across modeling, television, film, and stage, encompassing decades of work and various income streams. Her enduring fame from “Dallas,” combined with her consistent presence in the entertainment industry, has contributed significantly to her financial success.

Conclusion: A Multifaceted Career

Linda Gray’s career is a testament to her versatility, talent, and enduring appeal. From her early days as a model to her iconic role as Sue Ellen Ewing and her diverse work across various media, Gray has solidified her place in entertainment history. Her continued contributions to television, film, and stage, along with her personal endeavors, reflect a dynamic and accomplished career. Linda Gray’s net worth is not just a number; it represents the culmination of decades of hard work, dedication, and a lasting impact on the world of entertainment.