
Elspet Gray
Biography
Elspet Jean Gray, Baroness Rix (née Gray; 12 April 1929 – 18 February 2013) was a Scottish actress, 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 series Catweazle and Mrs. Palmer in the television series Solo, alongside Felicity Kendal. 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 married Brian Rix in 1949. The couple had four children - two sons and two daughters. Their eldest child, daughter Shelley (born 1951) 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. This page is based on a Wikipedia article written by contributors. Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Also Known As
Movie Appearances

Four Weddings and a Funeral
as Laura's Mother - Wedding One
1994

The Girl in a Swing
as Mrs. Dresland
1988

Blackadder: The Lost Pilot
as The Queen
2023

The Night We Got the Bird
as Woman with Dog
1960

Devil's Point
as June Mallard
1954

An Audience With Victoria Wood
as Self
1988

Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened
as Self / Mrs Abbott
2009

Goodbye, Mr. Chips
as Lady Sutterwick (uncredited)
1969

Johnny-on-the-Spot
as Joan Ingram
1954
The Tycoon
as Helen Taylor
1968

Love in Waiting
as Brenda Lawrence
1948

Fly Away Peter
as Phyllis Hapgood
1948

The Blind Goddess
as Daphne Dearing
1948

Trottie True
as Honor Bellaire (uncredited)
1949

Doctor Who: Arc of Infinity
as Chancellor Thalia
1983

Blackadder's Most Cunning Moments
as Self
2008

Reluctant Heroes
as Lieutenant Virginia
1952

The Ties That Bind Us
as Thalia (archive footage)
2008
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
as Mrs. Abbott (archive footage) (uncredited)
2005
TV Appearances

Doctor Who
as Chancellor Thalia
1963

Fawlty Towers
as Mrs. Abbott
1975

Inspector Morse
as Mrs Bartlett
1987

Solo
1981

Blackadder
as The Queen
1983

Catweazle
as Lady Collingford
1970
Pulaski
as Celia Parker-Smith
1987

Colonel March of Scotland Yard
as Johanna
1956
Dial RIX
1962
The Many Wives Of Patrick
1976

Tenko
as Phyllis Bristow
1981

dinnerladies
as Hilary
1998