“Dallas” star Linda Gray turns to helping others after being shook to her ‘core’, decades after the hit show’s end, finding strength in her mission to combat cancer.
Last week, Gray made a compassionate appearance to support the Farrah Fawcett Foundation, co-chaired by herself and Alan Stewart. The foundation’s third annual Tex-Mex Fiesta took place in the heart of Dallas, blending good food and community spirit for a worthy cause.
At 84, this veteran actress reflects on her journey and the circumstances that led her to this pivotal role. Her connection to the foundation deepened after she received the Angel Award at the inaugural fiesta in 2022, shortly after the heartbreaking loss of her son, Jeff, to leukemia in 2020.
“A celebration of my son Jeff’s life. 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,” Gray shared in a poignant Instagram tribute in November 2020.
A subsequent post captured a tender moment from Thanksgiving, showing Gray embracing Jeff just before the annual turkey carving. “I am filled with gratitude. Being Jeff’s mother was a gift. Those moments of cooking, the laughter, they remain etched in my heart,” she reminisced.
Jeff was among the two children she had with her ex-husband, Ed Thrasher. Together, they also have a daughter, Kehly Sloane, who, like her mother, ventured into acting, portraying Gray’s secretary on “Dallas.”
At the recent Tex-Mex Fiesta, Gray’s voice quivered with emotion as she recounted her son’s battle. “Losing him shook me to my core,” she expressed, adding with firm resolve, “This disease must be stopped,” as reported by Culture Map Dallas. Her mission resonates deeply, for Gray was a long-time friend of Farrah Fawcett, who succumbed to cancer in 2009.
Stewart remarked during the event’s launch, holding this fiesta in Texas would have meant the world to Farrah, highlighting the unique bond these celebrities shared with the Lone Star State.
Born in Santa Monica, California, Gray became an iconic figure synonymous with Texas, playing the unforgettable Sue Ellen Ewing on “Dallas.”
Her role as the beleaguered wife of oil magnet J.R. Ewing, portrayed by the late Larry Hagman, earned her acclaim, including an Emmy nod and two Golden Globe nominations. The series, which ran from 1978 to 1991, captivated audiences and carried forward through various spin-offs, demonstrating its lasting impact.
“Dallas wasn’t just a show; it was a phenomenon,” Gray reflected in a recent conversation with People magazine. “It filled a void for serialized storytelling—something everyone could invest in, characters they could truly care about.”
Looking back, she understood how audiences connected with these larger-than-life narratives, living vicariously through characters whose dramas spanned decades. “The storytelling allowed for genuine emotional investment, and that remains the show’s legacy,” she added.
Following “Dallas,” Gray’s career path took her through various acclaimed television series, including the popular “90210,” and even led her across the pond to star in the beloved British soap “Hollyoaks” from 2016 to 2017.
Gray also demonstrated her versatility by stepping onto the stage in a West End production of “The Graduate,” revealing in 2013 that her leg graced the iconic poster for the 1967 film, surprising many fans along the way.
In 2023, she reunited with fellow ’80s television stars like Loni Anderson and Morgan Fairchild for the Lifetime film “Ladies of the 80s: A Divas Christmas,” a charming take on fictitious actresses from a bygone soap opera era caught in the holiday spirit.
Participating in the project was a delightful reunion, filled with laughter and nostalgia. “We melded effortlessly. It felt like being with old friends, sharing stories, and basking in the joy of collaboration,” she shared.
Looking ahead, Gray yearns for another collaboration with her “Dallas” counterpart, Patrick Duffy, in an imaginative film that reimagines the show’s iconic setting for a festive tale. Sources indicate they are pitching a story of poltergeists haunting the legendary Southfork Ranch while meddling in a pop star’s Christmas music video shoot—a delightful blend of humor and the supernatural.
“This concept allows us to infuse some fun while honoring our roots. The love and laughter we once shared remain vibrant,” Gray reflected.
“Every day, I feel blessed,” Gray told Woman’s World in a candid moment. “I go on 45-minute gratitude walks. I’m thankful for every body part, each tree, the vast sky, and those fleeting clouds. They all remind me to embrace joy, no matter how simple.”
