Linda Gray’s journey from a child with polio to a successful actress is a testament to her resilience and determination.
The unlikely owner of famous legs is Linda Gray
Linda Gray’s Polio Fight
In the legendary movie poster from the 1960s, a charming young Dustin Hoffman is enthralled by a pair of legs encased in black silk stockings. Contrary to popular belief, these legs are not those of Anne Bancroft from “The Graduate”. It actually belongs to Linda Grey, who is known for playing a prominent role in the CBS series “Dallas”.
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The legs were originally thought to belong to Anne Bancroft, but Linda Gray later revealed that they actually belonged to her. Everyone was sure it belonged to Anne Bancroft, she said. Either he didn’t ask her opinion on the poster or she must have been out of the area at the time. I got $25. It was enough for one leg.
Linda Gray faced obstacles on her way to success, despite being known for her big feet and earning the nickname “b*tch with the long feet” from Elizabeth Taylor. Few people realize that she had polio in her youth, which left her paralyzed.
Linda was diagnosed with polio in 1945 when she was five years old, which damaged her central nervous system and the neurological connections between her brain and muscles. She could feel her legs but couldn’t move them.
The disease had a significant impact on Linda’s family, and her mother turned to alcohol for comfort. Her mother went from being a social drinker to an alcoholic. Both parents were heartbroken by their daughter’s diagnosis.
Linda silently absorbed the weight of her diagnosis, feeling guilty about her mother’s drinking and her parents’ melancholy. Iron lungs, huge air-tight ventilators weighing 800 pounds, were used in the traditional treatment of polio at the time. However, Linda’s doctors insisted on putting her in an iron lung even though her lungs were not affected.
However, her parents decided to go into alternative therapies. They chose “Raggedy Ann and Andy” as their strategy. At the foot of Linda’s bed, Linda’s mother repeatedly raised and lowered each leg as if dancing. Within a few months, Linda’s legs gradually began to regain their functionality and she was able to walk again.
Encouraged by her recovery, Linda’s parents enrolled her in dance classes. She became famous as “a child of polio torn from the clutches of paralysis” and eagerly awaited her debut recital.
Linda was ready to leave home as soon as possible because of family problems and her mother’s drinking. She dropped out of school and began working as a full-time model to support herself. Around this time, she had a chance encounter with the famous album cover artist Ed Thrasher.
Sadly, Linda and Ed had an abusive and dishonest 21-year marriage. While he pursued his own hobbies, he kept her at home and lived off Linda’s modeling money. Together, they built a house in Canyon Country, Santa Clarita, where Linda took on the role of a farmer while raising their two children, combining domestic duties and caring for the animals.
Linda decided to take control of her life after ten years of conforming to Ed’s wishes. She made her acting debut in “All That Glitters” as a transS*xal character before landing the important role of Sue Ellen in the ongoing soap opera “Dallas”.
Linda was able to deal with her previous traumas when she portrayed Sue Ellen Ewing, the unhappy wife of oil millionaire JR Ewing. By playing Sue Ellen, she tried to save herself from depression and loneliness and become like her role or her own mother.
In her thirties, Linda sought professional help and embarked on a journey to recovery. The therapist advised her to start by setting limits with her mother. Linda was hesitant at first but later realized that this was a good tactic.
This first exercise in creating boundaries acted as a spark for Linda to do the same with her mother and then with her ex-husband. Linda was also able to talk about her childhood traumas and her mother’s alcoholism because they were portrayed by Sue Ellen.
After her father died, Linda moved to Palm Springs and cared for her mother until the last year of her life. After playing Sue Ellen for 11 years, Linda divorced JR Ewing, who played her on-screen husband. She moved to Malibu and started living next door to Larry Hagman, her Dallas teammate and close friend.
Linda has embraced solitude after her divorce and finds fulfillment and joy in her S*x life. From 2012 to 2014, Sue Ellen starred once again in the remake of “Dallas,” garnering praise for the character and nominations for both an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
Linda Gray’s transformation from a small child with polio to a successful actress is a testament to her tenacity and willpower. Despite the difficulties she had, she was able to overcome them and succeed in the world of entertainment.
Linda’s story serves as an inspiration to those facing challenges and setbacks. It reminds us of the power of resilience, determination, and self-belief in the face of adversity. Linda Gray’s journey is a reminder that despite significant obstacles, one can overcome and achieve great success.
As Linda continues to live her life to the fullest, she serves as a role model for many, embodying strength, grace, and zest for life. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of persistence and chasing your dreams.