Jean Vivra Gray (20 July 1924 – 28 July 2016), known professionally as Vivean Gray, was a British TV and film actress based in Australia. Her best-known roles were in Australian soap operas: Nell Mangel in Neighbours, and Ida Jessup in The Sullivans.

Early life

Jean Vivra Gray was born in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, on 20 July 1924. Gray was the daughter of Allan Gray and Doris Gray, who had been married the previous year in the district of Simpson. She was the oldest of four children. The family later moved to Surrey where her father ran a fish and chip shop.

She initially worked as a photographer's assistant and as a sales assistant in a department store  before emigrating to Australia in c.1952 to pursue a career as an actress.

Career

In the 1970s, Gray appeared in a number of television dramas produced by Crawford Productions including Solo One, Bluey, Homicide, Division 4, Matlock Police, and Carson's Law. She also appeared in film portraying mathematics teacher Miss McGraw in Peter Weir's adaptation of Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) and in the television mini-series Anzacs and All the Rivers Run. She worked with Weir again in 1977 in his film The Last Wave, playing the role of Aboriginal history expert Dr. Whitburn.

The Sullivans

Gray played Ida Jessup in the soap opera The Sullivans for its 16-season run from 1976 to 1983, winning two Logie Awards for her portrayal of the gossipy neighbour.

Prisoner

She also appeared in Prisoner (known internationally as Prisoner: Cell Block H), as genteel poisoner Edna Pearson in 1984. After the initial showing of her episodes in Australia, a woman named Emily Perry claimed the story was based on her real life experience of being accused of poisoning her husband and threatened to sue the producers, Grundy Television. As a result, any material that coincided with the woman's story was removed for subsequent episode screenings, including the full Australian DVD release of Prisoner. In 2010 a special DVD release of the full uncut "Edna" story was released, but only in the United Kingdom.

Neighbours

In 1986, Gray was cast in the role of Nell Mangel for three weeks in the soap opera Neighbours. However, the character proved so popular that she remained on the show until 1988, appearing in 292 episodes. The character was a sticky beak and gossip,known for her constant feuding with Madge Bishop, played by Anne Charleston, and vying for the affections of Harold Bishop, played by Ian Smith. Gray left the role after receiving abuse from fans who disliked the character and couldn't tell fact from fiction. As such, this was Gray's last acting role and she retired to Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex where she lead an extrememely quiet and private life out of the spotlight.

Recognition

Gray won two Logie Awards for her role as Ida Jessup in The Sullivans: in 1978 for Best Sustained Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, and in 1981 for Best Support Actress in a Series.

In 1995, Gray was featured on an Australian postage stamp, depicting her role in Picnic at Hanging Rock.

Death

Gray died on 28 July 2016, aged 92, 8 days after her 92nd birthday.