Elspet Jean Gray, Baroness Rix was a Scottishactress, 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 seriesCatweazle and Mrs. Palmer in the television series Solo, alongside Felicity Kendal.
Biography
Career
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 appeared in many television programmes, her earliest being Love in Waiting. She had several roles in the 1970s including parts in Fawlty Towers, as the paediatrician wife of a psychiatrist baffled by Basil Fawlty’s behaviour, The Crezz, Catweazle, and in the 1980s with Doctor Who story Arc of Infinity and the World War Two drama Tenko. She appeared as the Queen in the BBCsitcomThe Black Adder, with Rowan Atkinson as her son in the title role, and as Mrs. Palmer in Solo, another comedy, this time with Felicity Kendal in the lead as her daughter. Gray continued her acting career until the late 1990s, appearing in Agatha Christie's Poirot, the films The Girl in a Swing and Four Weddings and a Funeral, and as Hilary in the British television comedydinnerladies.
Personal life
Gray married Brian Rix in 1949. The couple had four children - two sons and two daughters. Their eldest child, daughter Shelley 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. Shelley died in July 2005, aged 53. Their younger daughter Louisa was formerly an actress, and is now an interior designer. Their eldest son Jamie is a children's author who has produced television programmes such as My Hero. Their youngest son Jonathan is Professor of Participation and Learning Support at the Open University. Gray served on the Council of the Actors' Charitable Trust for many years, particularly giving her time to the management committee of the actors' care home, Denville Hall.
Death
Gray died in hospital on 18 February 2013, aged 83.
