Coleen Gray

Coleen Gray was born in Staplehurst, Nebraska, in 1922. After graduating from high school she studied dramatics at Hamline University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She then decided to see America and traveled to California, stopping off at La Jolla where she worked as a waitress. After several weeks there, she moved to L. A. and enrolled in a drama school. Her performances attracted a talent scout from 20th Century-Fox, with whom she signed a contract after a screen test.

She was in a relationship with John Payne from 1952 to 1953.

Gray had two children: Bruce Robin Bidlack (born June 1, 1954) and Mrs. Susan Amateau (born June 10, 1946), both born in Los Angeles County, California.

She and husband Fritz Zeiser were involved with the non-profit volunteer organization Prison Fellowship, founded in 1976 by Charles Colson (a former prisoner himself for his involvement in the Watergate scandal), which assists the church in providing ministry to prisoners and their families, as well as their victims. In 1964, along with Victor Jory and Susan Seaforth Hayes, Gray testified before the US Congress as part of "Project Prayer," arguing in favor of a constitutional amendment allowing school prayer.

In July 2006, she was a guest at the Western Film Fair in Charlotte, North Carolina, along with Marjorie Lord, Ben Murphy, Roger Davis, Russ Tamblyn, Mark Goddard, Ronnie Schell, Steve Kanaly, Cheryl Rogers and Tom Reese.

In November 2008 she attended an event at the American Cinematheque's Egyptian Theatre marking the 50th anniversary of the untimely passing of actor Tyrone Power. Four of his films were screened: Love Is News (1937), The Mark of Zorro (1940), The Razor's Edge (1946) and Nightmare Alley (1947). Also in attendance were his children, Tyrone Power Jr.., Taryn Power and Romina Power, and other actors who worked with him, including Piper Laurie, Terry Moore and Jayne Meadows.

Gray is buried at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California, beside her husband Fritz Zeiser, who predeceased her in 2012.