Before she was a television icon, Linda Gray’s legs were already famous
In short: Long before she became the long-suffering Sue Ellen Ewing on Dallas, Linda Gray was a working model who appeared in nearly 400 commercials. Her path to stardom took an unexpected turn when her legs were featured on the iconic 1967 poster for the film The Graduate, famously admired by Dustin Hoffman.
Born in 1940 in Santa Monica, California, Linda Gray began her professional journey in the 1960s. While her early career was defined by high-volume commercial work, she transitioned into acting during the 1970s. Her breakthrough arrived in 1978 when she was cast as Sue Ellen Ewing in the CBS drama Dallas. Originally a recurring guest role, the character became a series regular by the second season, running until 1989. Her portrayal of the alcoholic, tortured wife of J.R. Ewing earned her significant critical acclaim, including nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globes.
Gray’s career is marked by a unique ability to pivot between mediums. After her initial run on Dallas, she appeared in films like the 1991 comedy Oscar and various television movies. In 2001, she returned to the stage to play Mrs. Robinson in the West End production of The Graduate, a role she later reprised on Broadway. This performance served as a poetic full-circle moment, as she had provided the legs for the original 1967 film poster decades earlier. Her stage work continued with productions such as Terms of Endearment and a 2014 London pantomime appearance as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella.
Beyond her signature role, Gray has maintained a prolific presence in television, appearing in spin-offs like Melrose Place, Models Inc., and 90210. She has also embraced international projects, including a stint on the British soap opera Hollyoaks in 2016 and 2017. Despite personal tragedies, including the loss of her son Jeff to leukemia in 2020 and her sister Betty to breast cancer in 1989, Gray has remained active in the industry. Her enduring career, spanning over five decades, has seen her recognized as a cultural icon, earning spots on lists like the Guardian's fifty best-dressed over 50s and People magazine's Most Beautiful Woman list in 2013.
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