Linda Gray: From Sue Ellen to Triumph Over Tragedy
Linda Gray became a household name thanks to her unforgettable portrayal of Sue Ellen Ewing on the hit TV show Dallas. Over the course of 300 episodes, she captured the hearts of viewers, but behind the success, Linda battled personal struggles that shaped her into the strong woman she is today—still thriving at 82.
Linda’s life story is full of highs and lows, much like a rollercoaster. She has faced illness, addiction, and an unsatisfying marriage, but she always came out the other side stronger. Today, her journey stands as an inspiring tale of resilience and triumph.
A Childhood Marked by Challenges
Born on September 12, 1940, in Santa Monica, California, Linda Gray’s early life was marked by a serious challenge. As a child, she was diagnosed with polio, a disease that had already affected her grandfather. While her family was devastated, Linda took it in stride.
“They didn’t know what it was when he was 17, and he was always in a wheelchair,” Linda said, recalling her grandfather’s experience. “When I was diagnosed, everyone went crazy in my family, but I wasn’t. I thought I could have a wheelchair like Grandpa.”
Growing up in Culver City, where her father owned a watchmaker shop, Linda’s creative side flourished early on. She would perform in front of her neighbors and later landed the lead role of Cinderella in a school production at Notre Dame Academy in Los Angeles.
However, while her father provided stability, emotional support was lacking. “He was just kind of there, like a piece of furniture,” Linda wrote in her memoir The Road to Happiness Is Always Under Construction. “You didn’t go to Dad with boyfriend problems. God forbid. But he was supportive of my career.”
Her mother, Marge, was quite the opposite—an artist and former ballerina who struggled with alcoholism. As a result, Linda and her sister had to take control of the household. “She wasn’t falling-down drunk,” Linda explained. “She was just blurred, in her own world. She would forget to buy food, so I started cooking. My sister and I didn’t like her.”
Despite the strained relationship, Marge eventually sought help from Alcoholics Anonymous. Linda believed her mother’s drinking stemmed from unfulfilled dreams. Determined not to meet the same fate, Linda vowed to pursue her own ambitions and not let them slip away.
A Nightmare Marriage
Linda’s life took another sharp turn when she married photographer Edward Lee Thrasher at 21. The marriage, however, turned into a nightmare. Her dreams of acting were put on hold as she assumed the roles of wife and mother. She and Ed had two children—Jeff in 1960 and Kehly six years later. Despite the growing family, Linda felt increasingly isolated.
“It tore me apart, but I just thought, ‘Well, I can make this work somehow,’” she confessed. “It took me 21 years to leave my marriage.”
Ed wasn’t supportive of her desire to work, preferring a luxurious lifestyle instead. But Linda found a way to edge into show business by appearing in television commercials. These small gigs slowly reignited her passion for acting.
“I did a lot of commercials,” she remembered. But not without facing rejection. In her memoir, Linda shared a rejection letter she received from Glamour magazine in the 1960s. Yet instead of letting it bring her down, it motivated her. “It was so funny that I kept that letter,” she said. “This feisty streak came out—‘Oh yeah? I’m gonna show you!’”
Rising to Stardom
At 37, Linda decided to attend acting classes, much to her husband’s dismay. “He said, ‘Why don’t you become an actress when the children are in college?’” Linda recalled. But she pressed on. Thanks to actor Dennis Weaver, she landed her first acting role in the TV series Marcus Welby, M.D. in 1974.
Then in 1978, everything changed. Linda won the role of Sue Ellen Ewing on Dallas. Originally cast for just a few episodes, her electrifying performance quickly secured her a permanent spot in the series. Her on-screen chemistry with co-star Larry Hagman was undeniable.
“He was like the bad big brother I never had,” Linda explained. “He loved to make me crazy! I’d say, ‘Don’t eat that. You don’t need that much sugar, and stop drinking.’ He loved it!”
The magic between Linda and Larry wasn’t built on any romantic connection, though. “We were like teenagers,” Linda said. “But when they said action, we would become J.R. and Sue Ellen. It was absolute magic.”
Dallas wasn’t just popular with critics—it was a massive hit with viewers. One episode, revealing who shot J.R., attracted over 80 million viewers, breaking records for American television at the time.
Linda became a true star, earning nominations for two Golden Globe Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award. Off-screen, however, Linda finally found the strength to divorce Ed Thrasher in 1983.
Tragedy Strikes: Losing Her Son
Linda’s son Jeff followed in her footsteps, becoming a successful director. But in 2020, tragedy struck when Jeff passed away after battling leukemia. Linda shared a touching tribute to her son on Instagram: “He was the kindest, funniest, sweetest human being… He brought the world such love and was loved by everyone! May his journey be a magical one.”
Still Going Strong at 82
Linda Gray’s run on Dallas totaled an incredible 308 episodes. After the series, she continued acting and even returned to play Sue Ellen in the 2012 reboot. Though she has faced many hardships throughout her life, from a challenging childhood to the heartbreak of losing her son, Linda remains resilient.
Now, at 82, Linda Gray is a living testament to the power of perseverance. She’s faced her struggles head-on, transforming pain into the fuel needed to keep moving forward. Whether as Sue Ellen Ewing or as a mother, Linda’s story is one of triumph. She’s not just survived—she’s thrived.
