Elspet Gray

Acting

Elspet Gray

Born
Died
(aged 84)
Birthplace
Inverness, Inverness Shire, Scotland, UK
Credits
39 titles

Biography

Elspet Jean Gray, Baroness Rix (née Gray; 12 April 1929 – 18 February 2013) was a Scottish actress, who first became known for her partnership with her husband, Brian Rix, and later was cast in many television roles in the 1970s and 1980s. She played Lady Collingford in the television series Catweazle and Mrs. Palmer in the television series Solo, alongside Felicity Kendal.

Gray had a long stage career, particularly known for her appearances in the Whitehall farces, the company being managed by her husband Brian Rix, which were originally performed at the Whitehall Theatre and later at the Garrick.

Gray married Brian Rix in 1949. The couple had four children - two sons and two daughters. Their eldest child, daughter Shelley (born 1951) had Down syndrome. The experience of caring for her led the couple to become active campaigners for the disabled. Rix later became Mencap chairman and president. He became a life peer in 1992.

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Signature work

Known For

Acting credits 39

YearTitleRole
2023 Blackadder: The Lost Pilot Film The Queen
2009 Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened Film Self / Mrs Abbott
2008 Blackadder's Most Cunning Moments Film Self
2008 The Ties That Bind Us Film Thalia (archive footage)
2005 The Funny Blokes of British Comedy Film Mrs. Abbott (archive footage) (uncredited)
1998 dinnerladies TV Hilary (1 ep)
1997 The Wingless Bird TV Grace Farrier (3 ep)
1994 Four Weddings and a Funeral Film Laura's Mother - Wedding One
1993 Doctor Finlay TV Mrs. Finlay (1 ep)
1988 An Audience With Victoria Wood Film Self
1988 The Girl in a Swing Film Mrs. Dresland
1987 Pulaski TV Celia Parker-Smith (2 ep)
1987 Inspector Morse TV Mrs Bartlett (1 ep)
1986 Casualty TV Mary Porter (1 ep)
1985 Lytton's Diary TV Susan Anderson (1 ep)
1985 Screen Two TV Mrs. Grigson (1 ep)
1983 Blackadder TV The Queen (6 ep)
1983 Doctor Who: Arc of Infinity Film Chancellor Thalia
1982 The Agatha Christie Hour TV Mrs Carslake (1 ep)
1981 Tenko TV Phyllis Bristow (8 ep)
1981 Solo TV (13 ep)
1976 The Many Wives Of Patrick TV (20 ep)
1975 Fawlty Towers TV Mrs. Abbott (1 ep)
1970 Catweazle TV Lady Collingford (13 ep)
1969 Goodbye, Mr. Chips Film Lady Sutterwick (uncredited)
1968 The Tycoon Film Helen Taylor
1963 Doctor Who TV Chancellor Thalia (3 ep)
1962 Dial RIX TV Pamela Rix, Cynthia, Mrs Barrington Rix, Penelope Rix, Miranda Marston, Angela Rix (1 ep)
1960 The Night We Got the Bird Film Woman with Dog
1956 Colonel March of Scotland Yard TV Johanna (1 ep)
1955 Strange Experiences TV Querella (1 ep)
1954 Devil's Point Film June Mallard
1954 Johnny-on-the-Spot Film Joan Ingram
1952 Reluctant Heroes Film Lieutenant Virginia
1950 Sunday Night Theatre TV Rita Ronan (1 ep)
1949 Trottie True Film Honor Bellaire (uncredited)
1948 Love in Waiting Film Brenda Lawrence
1948 Fly Away Peter Film Phyllis Hapgood
1948 The Blind Goddess Film Daphne Dearing
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