Linda Gray

College Friend

“I always have the fondest memories and the biggest love for SMC. Learning the ropes there pushed me on to all the other phases.”

She was in the office of her publicist, in the midst of a photo session and wrapping up a film she stars in with Sylvester Stallone. “I have this philosophy,” says Linda Gray, “that I have to live to 150—minimum—to complete all the things I want to do.”

Her role as Sue Ellen in the TV series Dallas made Linda an international star and one of the busiest actresses in the world. She has literally become a one-woman industry, a fact she illustrates by telling a story of her recent trip to France. “At one point this tiny little woman walked up to me and hugged me,” says Linda. “She told me that she worked for 11 years dubbing my voice into French for their version of Dallas. And it was satisfying to think that she had a job because of our show.”

Though she is now a director and head of her own film company, there was a time in her life when—as a young woman—she felt very unsure of herself. “Before I went to SMC, I was in an all girls Catholic school,” says Linda. “I’d never worn anything but a uniform and suddenly I was whisked into a world of cheerleaders, football players and boys.” But she says that SMC quickly calmed her down and adds that “for me, it was a very life-changing experience.”

“Being an actress means that you get to live through a lot of careers all at once,” says Linda of the trade that has made her world-famous. “But when you take the makeup off and get down to the core, you really have only yourself and your family. And those are the monumental things in life,” she says. And she has a piece of advice to those thinking of going to SMC. “Make it your transition place,” she urges. “Because for me, it held me in a holding pattern until I was ready. Then it hit the ‘eject’ button and said loud and clear, ‘Now go out there and do something!’”

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