Coleen Gray was an American actress who is best known for her roles in films such as Kiss of Death, Nightmare Alley, and The Razor’s Edge.
Personal and Family Life
Coleen Gray was born Doris Bernice Jensen on October 23, 1922, in Staplehurst, Nebraska. She attended Hamline University, where she studied dramatics and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Throughout her life, she was married three times and had two children. Her first marriage was to Rod Amateau, followed by William Clymer Bidlack, and lastly to Joseph Fritz Zeiser.
Career and Accomplishments
After moving to California, Gray’s talent caught the eye of a talent scout from 20th Century-Fox, leading to a contract that included a series of films in the late 1940s. Despite her appearances in significant films, she often felt that her roles did not match her talent. Nonetheless, she maintained a prolific career in film, television, and theater, making a lasting impact in the industry.
Death and Legacy
Coleen Gray passed away on August 3, 2015, in Bel Air, Los Angeles, California, due to natural causes. She left behind a legacy as a talented actress who played memorable characters, often embodying the role of the “good girl” in film noir. Her work continues to be celebrated by film enthusiasts and historians.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Killing | 1956-06-06 | Fay |
| Red River | 1948-08-26 | Fen |
| Kansas City Confidential | 1952-11-11 | Helen Foster |
| The Phantom Planet | 1961-12-13 | Liara |
| The Sleeping City | 1950-09-20 | Ann Sebastian |
| Tennessee’s Partner | 1955-09-21 | Goldie Slater |
| The Vanquished | 1953-06-03 | Jane Colfax |
| Death of a Scoundrel | 1956-10-31 | Mrs. Edith Van Renasslear |
| Nightmare Alley | 1947-10-09 | Molly Carlisle |
| The Leech Woman | 1960-05-01 | June Talbot |
| Apache Drums | 1951-04-01 | Sally |
| The Vampire | 1957-06-14 | Carol Butler |
| The Fake | 1953-09-25 | Mary Mason |
| Hell’s Five Hours | 1958-04-13 | Nancy Brand |
| Riding High | 1950-04-12 | Alice ‘Princess’ Higgins |
| Star in the Dust | 1956-06-13 | Nellie Mason |
| Fury at Furnace Creek | 1948-04-30 | Molly Baxter |
| Las Vegas Shakedown | 1955-05-15 | Julie Rae |
| Models Inc. | 1952-05-19 | Rusty Faraday |
| I’ll Get You for This | 1951-01-01 | Kay Wonderly |
| The Wild Dakotas | 1956-02-28 | Sue ‘Lucky’ Duneen |