Linda Gray: The Unlikely Owner of Famous Legs
Linda Gray’s Battle with Polio
In the iconic movie poster from the 1960s, a young Dustin Hoffman is captivated by a pair of legs adorned with black silk stockings. Contrary to popular belief, these legs do not belong to Anne Bancroft from “The Graduate.” They actually belong to Linda Gray, known for her role in the CBS soap opera “Dallas.”
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Initially, everyone assumed the legs were Anne Bancroft’s, but Linda Gray revealed that they were hers. She explained, “They were all convinced they belonged to Anne Bancroft. She was either not consulted about the poster or had to be out of town at the time. I received $25. That was enough for one leg.”
Despite being famous for her long legs and earning the nickname “the b*tch with the long legs” from Elizabeth Taylor, Linda Gray’s journey to success was not without challenges. As a child, she was paralyzed by polio, a fact unknown to many.
At the age of five in 1945, Linda contracted polio, resulting in damage to her central nervous system and the neurological connections between her brain and muscles. Although she could feel her legs, she couldn’t move them.
Linda’s family was deeply affected by the illness, and her mother turned to alcohol as a form of solace. From being a social drinker, her mother became an alcoholic. The diagnosis of their daughter left both parents devastated.
Feeling responsible for her parents’ depression and her mother’s drinking, Linda silently carried the burden of her diagnosis. Traditional polio treatment at the time involved the use of iron lungs, massive airtight ventilators weighing 800 pounds. Despite her lungs being unaffected, Linda’s doctors insisted on placing her in an iron lung.
However, her parents decided to explore alternative therapy. They chose the “Raggedy Ann and Andy” approach. Linda’s mother would stand at the foot of her bed, lift and lower each leg multiple times a day, as if she were dancing. Gradually, Linda’s legs regained their function, and she was able to walk again within a few months.
Encouraged by her recovery, Linda’s parents enrolled her in dance lessons. She became a source of inspiration, known as “the polio baby plucked from the clutches of paralysis,” and her debut recital was highly anticipated.
Due to family issues and her mother’s alcoholism, Linda was eager to leave home as soon as possible. She quit school and started working as a full-time model to support herself. During this time, she met Ed Thrasher, a renowned record album cover artist.
Sadly, Linda’s 21-year marriage to Ed was marked by abuse and deception. He kept her at home while he pursued his own interests, relying on Linda’s income from modeling to support his fantasies. They built a house together in Canyon Country, Santa Clarita, where Linda took on the role of a farm wife, juggling household chores, animal care, and raising their two children.
After a decade of conforming to Ed’s desires, Linda decided to reclaim her life. She made her acting debut as a transgender character in “All That Glitters” and then landed the significant role of Sue Ellen in the long-running soap opera “Dallas.”
Playing Sue Ellen Ewing, the troubled wife of oil tycoon JR Ewing, allowed Linda to confront her own past traumas. She hoped that by portraying Sue Ellen, she could prevent herself from becoming a depressed and lonely woman like the character or her own mother.
In her forties, Linda sought professional help and embarked on a journey of healing. Setting boundaries with her mother was the first step suggested by her therapist. Initially resistant, Linda ultimately found it to be a successful strategy.
This initial boundary-setting exercise served as a catalyst for Linda to establish boundaries with her mother and later with her ex-husband. Sue Ellen’s character also helped Linda open up about her past traumas and her mother’s drinking.
Following her father’s passing, Linda moved to Palm Springs and took care of her mother until her final year. After an 11-year stint as Sue Ellen, Linda divorced the character’s on-screen husband, JR Ewing. She settled in Malibu, becoming neighbors with her “Dallas” co-star and close friend, Larry Hagman.
Since her divorce, Linda has embraced her single life, finding happiness and pleasure in her sexual experiences. Between 2012 and 2014, she reprised her role as Sue Ellen in the “Dallas” reboot, receiving accolades for her portrayal and earning Golden Globe nominations and an Emmy nomination.
Linda Gray’s journey from being a polio-stricken child to an accomplished actress is a testament to her resilience and determination. Despite the challenges she faced, she found the strength to overcome adversity and make her mark in the entertainment industry.