Dress Gray

Life after Sue Ellen for Linda Gray

As Sue Ellen on Dallas, Linda Gray helped redefine the evening soap. Now she's back in prime time as Hillary Michaels, harridan extraordinaire on Fox's New Wave sudsfest Models Inc. GEORGE WAYNE heralds the return of the only actress on earth equipped to play Heather Locklear's TV mom.

George Wayne:Aaron Spelling is being very kind in resuscitating your television career. You have the hottest new role on Models Inc., starring as Hillary Michaels, the owner of the agency. I'm sure this role requires you to be a bitch par excellence.

Linda Gray: Darling, of course.

G.W.And you revel in that?

L.G. Well, I'm having a blast. She is a bitch when she has to be, as we all are.

G.W.Now, I read in my bible, the Star, that you've been playing all these practical jokes on the set.

L.G. Not one word is true, but I laughed because it wasn't mean, it wasn't cruel.

G.W.You really started acting at a very late age. You were something like 32 when you took up acting. That's kind of amazing.

L.G. Well, you know, I'm kind of amazing.

G.W.I wouldn't disagree at all with that.

L.G. I think our society is age-conscious, and they should just let it go, and let people be. Look at Grandma Moses and all those people that did wonderful things later in life— nobody tells a rose when to bloom.

G.W.Now, tell me about Heather Locklear. You play her mother. Have you had any catfights with her yet?

L.G. No. When they asked me to be her mother, it was an instant yes, and we get along great.

G.W.She seems like a great gal.

L.G. I like people that are who they are, no bullshit.

G.W. Which is so rare in Follywood.

L.G. You're too wonderful, George. I love this. This is made for you.

G.W. So did you have to audition for Mr. Spelling?

L.G. No. I had one meeting.

G.W. I heard that Farrah Fawcett and Linda Evans were being mentioned for the part of Hillary Michaels, but the role was meant for you! And your character wears the most fabulous clothes. Who are some of the designers?

L.G. Richard Tyler, Escada, Calvin, and Donna Karan, because I love them. It's sexy and sophisticated stuff, because I'm running a modeling agency.

G.W. So is Mr. Spelling paying you megabucks?

L.G. I'm happy. It's not 80s money, but he's very generous. G.W. How do you spend your downtime?

L.G. Last year, I had five movies-for-television, and then I traveled all over Europe for seven months.

G.W. It's amazing. You get to travel the world, and then come back home and land a fabulous job in television.

L.G. You know, I think I'm the luckiest woman, and I'm very grateful. There is a lot of gratitude that I have. There is no bullshit about me—I am very, very real.

G.W. You're 53 going on 28. Who is the man in your life? L.G. I don't have anyone now.

G.W. You don't?!

L.G. No, I swear, but I don't want to talk about my love life.

G.W. Why not? Let's hash it out.

L.G. I would love to get married. I would like to share my life with someone wonderful.

G.W. But you meet so many wonderful people.

L.G. I do, and I have a lot of wonderful friends. But we all go through stages where you love to be in a relationship, and then sometimes you feel better by yourself. This is my phase. I'm gearing up to do a new series, and it's all work. Once that settles, I think I'll put out a different kind of energy.