Charles Gray English actor Date of Birth: 29.08.1928 Country: Great Britain

Biography of Charles Gray

Charles Gray was an English actor who gained fame for his portrayal of the supervillain Blofeld in the seventh James Bond film, "Diamonds Are Forever." He also played the role of Mycroft Holmes, the older brother of the famous detective, in several television series produced by the independent British television company, Granada Television. Additionally, Gray served as the narrator in the cult classic musical comedy, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," released in 1975.

Early Life
Born on August 29, 1928, in Bournemouth, Dorset, United Kingdom, Charles Gray, whose real name was Donald Marshall Gray, grew up in a family with his parents Maude Elizabeth Marshall and Donald Gray, who worked as an insurance expert. During his time at Bournemouth School, Gray became friends with future British comedian Benny Hill, as their schools were temporarily relocated to the same building during World War II. It was during this time that Gray adorned his bedroom with portraits of movie stars, showcasing his early passion for acting.

Early Career
Gray's stage career began at a theater club near the Palace Court Hotel in Bournemouth. In a stroke of luck, he stepped in at the last minute to replace one of the actors in a play called "The Beaux' Stratagem" by George Farquhar, an Irish playwright from the 17th century. Gray's performance was so remarkable that it surprised everyone, including himself. Seeking further success as an actor, Gray left Bournemouth, while his parents remained in their family home.

Professional Career
To avoid confusion with another actor named Donald Gray, Charles Gray had to change his name. He chose the name Charles for three reasons: it was his maternal grandfather's name, the name of his best friend, and it had a pleasing sound. However, when Gray made his Broadway debut in the musical "Kean" in 1961, he used the name Oliver Gray.

Gray's television debut came in 1957 when he played the role of De Foix in the historical series "Sword of Freedom." Throughout the 1960s, he established himself as a successful character actor, appearing in numerous productions such as "Danger Man" with Patrick MacGoohan and "Maigret." In 1960, he portrayed a reporter in the film adaptation of "The Entertainer" alongside the esteemed Laurence Olivier.

Breakthrough Role
In 1967, Gray's career took a significant turn when he played one of the leading roles in the World War II detective drama, "The Night of the Generals," starring Peter O'Toole and Omar Sharif. It was in the same year that Donald Pleasance, who later played Blofeld in the Bond films, portrayed one of the generals in the movie. Gray went on to play the English agent Henderson in the James Bond film, "You Only Live Twice." Four years later, he was offered the role of Ernst Stavro Blofeld in "Diamonds Are Forever," making him one of two actors to portray both an enemy and an ally of James Bond (the other being Joe Don Baker).

Career Highlights
The most productive years for Charles Gray as an actor were between 1968 and 1979, during which he appeared in over forty films and television series. One of his most famous roles was as the narrator-criminologist in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and a similar character, Judge Oliver Wright, in the sequel "Shock Treatment" in 1981. In 1983, Gray received critical acclaim for his role in the television spy drama, "An Englishman Abroad." Other notable films in his career include "The Devil Rides Out," "Mosquito Squadron," "Cromwell," and "The Beast Must Die." Additionally, Gray performed several Shakespearean roles on stage and television. He also regularly provided voiceovers for characters originally portrayed by actor Jack Hawkins, as their voices were similar. One notable example of this was in the film "Theatre of Blood."

Personal Life and Legacy
Charles Gray's neighbor and closest friend was actress Ava Gardner. He passed away from cancer on March 7, 2000, at the age of 71. Throughout his career, Gray left a lasting impact on the film industry, with his memorable performances and versatile range as an actor.