Coleen Gray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Coleen Gray
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| Born |
Doris Bernice Jensen
October 23, 1922 Staplehurst, Nebraska, U.S.
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| Died | August 3, 2015 (aged 92) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Cremated |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1944–1986 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Rod Amateau
(m. 1945; div. 1949)William Bidlack
(m. 1953; died 1978)Fritz Zeiser
(m. 1979; died 2012) |
| Children | 2 |
Coleen Gray (born Doris Bernice Jensen; October 23, 1922 – August 3, 2015) was an American actress. She was famous for her roles in movies like Nightmare Alley (1947) and Red River (1948). She also starred in Stanley Kubrick's film The Killing (1956).
Contents
Coleen Gray: A Star's Journey
Her Early Life and Education
Coleen Gray was born Doris Bernice Jensen in Staplehurst, Nebraska. Her parents were from Denmark. When she was seven, her family moved to a farm in Hutchinson, Minnesota.
After finishing high school in 1943, she studied drama at Hamline University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors. Later, she moved to California. She worked as a waitress for a short time. Then, she moved to Los Angeles and attended UCLA. While studying, she also worked in the school library and at a YWCA.
Starting on Stage
Coleen Gray showed her acting talent on stage in Los Angeles. She played lead roles in plays like Letters to Lucerne and Brief Music. These performances helped her get a contract with 20th Century Fox in 1944. This was a big step for her career.
Big Screen Roles
Early Film Successes
After a small part in State Fair (1945), Coleen Gray took a short break. She returned a year later to star with John Wayne in Red River (1948). This movie was filmed in 1946 but released later.
In 1947, she appeared in two exciting movies. She played a wife in Kiss of Death. She also starred as a carnival performer in Nightmare Alley. Coleen Gray also showed her singing skills in the 1950 movie Riding High. She sang her parts live, which was impressive.
Later Film Work
Coleen Gray continued to work steadily in the 1950s. She often appeared in smaller movies. She played a nurse in The Sleeping City (1950). She also starred in Kansas City Confidential (1952).
A notable role was in Stanley Kubrick's film The Killing (1956). In this movie, she played the loyal girlfriend of a criminal. She also appeared in the Western film The Vanquished (1953). Other films included The Leech Woman (1960) and The Phantom Planet (1961). Later in her career, she acted in The Late Liz (1971) and Mother (1978). Her last film was Cry From the Mountain in 1986.
Starring on Television
From the 1950s onwards, Coleen Gray was a popular guest star on many TV shows. She appeared in episodes of Maverick and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. She also guest-starred on Perry Mason four times.
Other shows she appeared in include Mr. Ed, Rawhide, and Bonanza. She was also a regular on the daytime soap operas Bright Promise and Days of Our Lives.
Her Life Off-Screen
Family and Marriages
Coleen Gray was married three times. Her first husband was screenwriter Rod Amateau. They were married from 1945 to 1949 and had one daughter, Susan. Her second husband was William Clymer Bidlack, an aviation executive. They were married from 1953 until his death in 1978. They had a son named Bruce Robin Bidlack.
In 1979, she married Biblical scholar Joseph Fritz Zeiser. They stayed together until his death in 2012.
Community and Beliefs
Coleen Gray was a member of the Republican Party. She supported Barry Goldwater in the 1964 presidential election. She also spoke to the United States Congress. She argued for a constitutional amendment to allow school prayer.
Coleen Gray passed away at the age of 92 on August 3, 2015. She died of natural causes at her home in Los Angeles. Her memorial service was held at the Bel Air Presbyterian Church. She and her third husband were active members there.
Helping Others
Coleen Gray was very involved in helping her community. She was on the board of directors at her old university, Hamline University. She also worked with many important organizations.
She was the President of WAIF, an organization that helps with child adoption. She also supported the March of Dimes, the American Cancer Society, and the American Red Cross. She was active in the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. She worked with her third husband in Presbyterian causes and for Prison Fellowship. This is a non-profit organization that helps prisoners and their families.
See also
In Spanish: Coleen Gray para niños
