Joe Gray (actor)
Joe Gray was an American boxer, actor, and stuntman.
Biography
Joe Gray was raised in Brooklyn, New York and moved to Los Angeles in 1936 at the suggestion of his brother Mack Gray, George Raft's associate. His film career included some of the most iconic boxing films ever made. He made appearances in over 125 films in numerous uncredited roles, including 10 of Frank Sinatra's films and 32 of Dean Martin's films. Gray was Martin's stunt double in all of Martin's films through 1971. He was a technical adviser on boxing films for John Garfield, Elvis Presley, Jeff Chandler, James Cagney, George Raft, Tony Curtis, and Kirk Douglas, among others. Gray also trained and advised the actor, John Derek in the 1956 film The Leather Saint.
As a boxer, Gray compiled a professional boxing record of 8-3-2 with 3 knockout wins. In his private life he was a close friend of the writer Henry Miller, and Gray appeared in and contributed to The Henry Miller Odyssey, a 90-minute color documentary.
After Gray's death, Miller dedicated a chapter of his 1973 book, My Bike and Other Friends, to Gray. as well as several pages in Miller's large autobiographical book My Life and Times.
Gray was the brother of Mack Gray and uncle of the artist Martin Abrahams and great-uncle of actor Jon Abrahams. Gray died in Mexico while on location making the film Something Big in Durango, at the age of 58. He was buried in Los Angeles at Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery.
Selected filmography
A Star Is Born – Garcia The Big Broadcast of 1938 – Sailor Mr. Moto's Gamble – Fighter You and Me – Red Winner Take All – Nick – Brawler Each Dawn I Die – Prisoner Beau Geste – Legionnaire Golden Boy – Fighter Call a Messenger – Nail City for Conquest – Cannonball Wales Knockout – Kent, a Fighter The Miracle Kid – Kayo KaneBroadway – Bootlegger Yankee Doodle Dandy – Mr. Ace – 'Gentleman' Gene Delmont Mr. Hex – Billy ButterworthCriminal Court – First Gunman Intrigue – Hotel Guest Christmas Eve – Minor Role Body and Soul – Cornerman It Had to Be You – Prizefighter The Street with No Name – Boxer Fighter Squadron – Flyer with Dice Whiplash – Fighter The Accused – Abe Comar Fighting Fools – Fighter Champion – Opponent, Championship Fight Sorrowful Jones – Gambler Mighty Joe Young – Waiter The Big Wheel – Race Car Driver Wabash Avenue – Saloon Patron Riding High – Johnny The Jackie Robinson Story – Dalby Love That Brute – Gangster My Friend Irma Goes West – 711 Ocean Drive – Boxer Sunset Boulevard – Minor Role At War with the Army – Soldier Ace in the Hole – Minor Role No Questions Asked – Policeman Iron Man – Minor Role Rhubarb – Baseball Player Flesh and Fury – CliffKid Monk Baroni – Fighter Glory Alley – Fighter Sally and Saint Anne – Crunch Off Limits – Dix The War of the Worlds – Looter Scared Stiff – Longshoreman The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms – Longshoreman The Caddy – Pool Guest Casanova's Big Night – Court Guard 3 Ring Circus – Circus Roustabout Six Bridges to Cross – Mobster Guys and Dolls – Spectator at Hot Box Club The Square Jungle – Sparring Partner The Leather Saint – Referee in Gil's Third Bout Pardners – Rodeo Cowboy Back from Eternity – Gambler The Ten Commandments – Palace Guard Hollywood or Bust – Gambler Hot Shots – Sam Jailhouse Rock Ten Thousand Bedrooms – Minor Role The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown – Airport Passenger Sweet Smell of Success – Patron at 21 Club Loving You – Minor Role The Joker Is Wild – Fighter Hear Me Good – Technician King Creole The Young Lions – Soldier Rock-A-Bye Baby – Doctor I Married a Monster from Outer Space – Alien The Buccaneer – Stevedore Some Came Running – Minor Role Rio Bravo – Card Player Some Like It Hot – Mobster at Banquet The Great Impostor – Federal Prison Inmate Bells Are Ringing – Bartender Ocean's 11 – Pit Boss G.I. Blues – Soldier The Great Impostor – Federal Prison Inmate Ada – Reporter Breakfast at Tiffany's – Party Guest The Comancheros – Party Guest The Errand Boy – Minor Role The Ladies Man – Man on Date Sergeants 3 – Kid Galahad – Trainer The Manchurian Candidate – Soldier Taras Bulba – Soldier Who's Got the Action? – Pool Player 40 Pounds of Trouble – Gambler Bye Bye Birdie – TV Director Irma la Douce – Bar Gangster Toys in the Attic – Man at Bar Who's Minding the Store? – Herman, the Shoplifter 4 for Texas – Cowboy What a Way to Go! – Patron Robin and the 7 Hoods – Hood For Those Who Think Young – Club Guest Kiss Me, Stupid – None But the Brave – Soldier Von Ryan's Express – Prisoner Harlow – Director Boeing Boeing – Minor Role Our Man Flint – Security Guard The Silencers – The Last of the Secret Agents? – Murderers' Row – Guard Good Times – The Ambushers – Man How to Save a Marriage and Ruin Your Life – Cab Driver Bandolero! – 5 Card Stud – Cowhand The Legend of Lylah Clare – Minor Role The Killing of Sister George – Party Guest The Wrecking Crew – Minor Role Che! – Airport – Antonio Piace – Passenger Escape from the Planet of the Apes – Bodyguard Something Big –