1. Jean Vivra Gray, known professionally as Vivean Gray, credited as Vivian Gray and Viven Gray, was an English-born actress who starred in film and television roles in Australia.
13 Facts About Vivean Gray
1. 2.
Vivean Gray was born in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England on 20 July 1924.
3.
Vivean Gray's father was a fish and chip shop owner at Grimsby Docks, and, just before WW2, the family moved to New Malden in Surrey where he owned the newly built Fish and Chip shop at 12, The Triangle.
4.
Vivean Gray's acting career stemmed from work with an amateur theatrical group.
5.
Vivean Gray appeared in film portraying mathematics teacher Miss Greta McCraw in Peter Weir's adaptation of Picnic at Hanging Rock and in the television mini-series Anzacs and All the Rivers Run.
6.
Vivean Gray worked with Weir again in 1977 in his film The Last Wave, playing the role of Aboriginal history expert Doctor Whitburn.
7.
Vivean Gray played Ida Jessop in the soap opera The Sullivans for its 16-season run from 1976 to 1983, winning two Logie Awards for her portrayal of the gossipy neighbour.
8.
Vivean Gray appeared in serial Prisoner, as genteel poisoner Edna Pearson in 1984, in a seven-episode arc.
9.
Vivean Gray subsequently decided not to sue the company, despite the story bearing many similarities to her case, even down to the character's initials.
10.
In 1986, Vivean Gray was cast for three weeks in the role of busybody "Nell" Mangel, better known as Mrs Mangel in the soap opera Neighbours.
11.
Vivean Gray left the role after receiving abuse from fans who disliked the character, with producers relocating Mangel to St Albans, with a retired dentist, to live a happy retirement.
12.
Vivean Gray won two Logie Awards for her role as Ida Jessup in The Sullivans: in 1978 for Best Sustained Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, and in 1981 for Best Support Actress in a Series.
13.
In 1995, Vivean Gray was featured on an Australian postage stamp, depicting her role in Picnic at Hanging Rock.