Sally Gray facts for kids

Constance Vera Browne, Baroness Oranmore and Browne (born Stevens; 14 February 1915 – 24 September 2006) was an English actress. She was better known by her stage name, Sally Gray. People often saw her as a British version of the famous American dancer and actress, Ginger Rogers.

Sally Gray was known for different types of roles. In the 1930s, she was a cheerful and charming actress in light movies and musical comedies. After taking a break, she returned in the mid-1940s. She then starred in more serious and exciting thrillers.

About Sally Gray

Her Early Life

Constance Vera Stevens was born in Holloway, London. Her father, Charles Stevens, was a taxi driver. Her mother, Gertrude Grace, was a ballet dancer. Sally's grandmother was also a performer in the 1870s. Sally's father passed away when she was young.

Starting in Theatre

Sally began her acting journey at a young age. She trained at Fay Compton's School of Dramatic Art. At just 10 years old, she started acting on stage.

Her first professional stage role was at age 12. She played an African boy in a play called All God's Chillun at the Globe Theatre in London. When she was 14, Sally performed in a minstrel show. She also had a small part in her first film, The School for Scandal (1930).

After this, she went back to school for two years. During this time, she also performed in cabarets.

Her Film Career Begins

Sally Gray returned to films in 1935. She appeared in movies like The Dictator and Cross Currents. She also acted in Radio Pirates, Lucky Days, and Checkmate.

She then went back to the stage. There, she met Stanley Lupino, who was very impressed by her.

Sally played the main female role in Cheer Up (1936) with Stanley Lupino. She also had lead roles in Calling the Tune (1936) and Cafe Colette (1936). By 1936, she was earning a good amount of money each week.

She continued to appear in many films, including thrillers and musicals. Some of her notable films were The Saint in London (1939) with George Sanders and A Window in London (1940) with Michael Redgrave. She also starred in Dangerous Moonlight (1941), a romantic drama.

After her co-star Stanley Lupino became ill and passed away, Sally took a break from acting for several years.

Her Comeback to Films

Sally Gray returned to acting in 1946. She starred in a series of exciting dramas. These included the hospital thriller Green for Danger (1946) and Carnival (1946). She also appeared in They Made Me a Fugitive (1947) and The Mark of Cain (1948).

One of her last films was Obsession (1949). In this movie, she played the wife of Robert Newton's character. Her final film was the spy story Escape Route (1952).

Some film executives were very impressed with Sally. They wanted her to move to the United States and sign a long-term contract. However, she decided not to. Instead, she retired from acting in 1952 after she got married.

Her Personal Life

On 1 December 1951, Sally Gray married Dominick Browne, 4th Baron Oranmore and Browne. He was an Anglo-Irish nobleman. They kept their marriage a secret for a while. They revealed it at the 1953 coronation of Elizabeth II, where she appeared with her husband.

They lived in County Mayo, Ireland, for some years. In the early 1960s, they moved back to England. They settled in a flat in London. Sally and her husband did not have any children.

Her Later Years and Death

Sally Gray passed away on 24 September 2006, in London, England. She was 91 years old.

Filmography

Film

See also

In Spanish: Sally Gray para niños