Rising Stars: Meet Susan Lenore Gray

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Lenore Gray.

Hi Susan Lenore, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been in the biz for years. I think I am a very unique person. I’m a 74 years old Jewish women form Queens. I’m 84lbs / 4’4″ and technically legally considered a little person but I’ve got a thick New York accent and can play nice or cut a fella down to size. I don’t take no shit from anybody. When it comes to my career on screen; I have played a gypsy, seahag, homeless, pirate, nosey neighbor, bafoon cult follower, disgruntled senior citizen, and on and on. I’ve done a lot and plan to do more.

It really started when my two daughters Tara (9yo) & Jamie (4yo) back in 1983 got to be extras in “Joanie Loves Chachi”. I was asked to be a stand-in. I loved the hype and hustle of the set. Eventually in 84′, I saw Clara Peller an 86 year old actress become the “Where’s the beef?” lady. It made me think about my life. So I said….it’s never too late to try. Decades later, I’m still working at it.

Over the years, I met people in the industry. I made friends with Aaron Hartnell of AATMO.biz and he had a calling service for extras, background, dayplayers, etc. Which lead me to my connection with Central Casting and Extras Management which then lead me to work with Carol Grant and Rich King. I was hired for short films, student films & eventually I made my way up the rankings. I had a co-star role on Scrubs as “Clarissa”. Since then, I consistently worked. I have been on True Blood, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and had a very funny role on TBS’ Teachers. I also worked on Katy Perry’s MV Birthday.

Television isn’t the only thing I have worked on. I was cast in Rob Zombie’s “Lords of Salem” as Martha Bishop. I worked on the new Spongebob Squarepants 2021 feature as a pirate hag ghost and most memorably & notably I was in a one on one scene with Ewan McGregor portraying Jesus and I was Legion – a demonic women. A moment in time I will never forget. Most recently, I was cast and worked on an untitled David O. Russell motion picture which I can’t share any details yet this time due to signing an NDA.

Eventually, I came in contact with my Mentor J.Lyle who started consultation work with me. He helped me with everything. And I mean everything. My Resume, Reels, Editing Footage, Retrieving Footage, Shooting content, all the breakdown casting service websites and profiles, prepping me for headshots, helping me with Auditions and self-tapes, guiding me to eventually get a Manager, and so on.

Currently, I am auditioning for major projects now on network stations. Shows like The Saved By The Bell Reboot and American Crime Story: Impeachment. My goal is to come full circle and become my own version of the 21st century “Where’s The Beef” lady today.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been smooth. It’s the downfalls of it. Been working hard for years with Auditions. You gotta move on and think about the next one and the next one. A person my age only knows so much. So the people in my life that have helped me have really made all the difference. I got tired of wishing. Things are happening now. It’s not easy though. Decades of hard work and resilience. I try to be as observant on set as I can be. Meeting people, asking questions, talking to them, sharing insights and advice. Everyone there has their own story to tell.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a funny, quirky, outgoing lady that loves connecting with people. I am spontaneous and silly. I enjoy joking around and improvisation. I have played so many different types of characters and I like that about myself. I have fun hair, plenty of wigs and a removable dental retainer; so I can play a variety of looks. I can be a very cute sweet elderly grandmother, or sorceress, or a complete hick red neck. The ability to change and alter makes me happy and brings the character alive. I was an incredibly fun spacey character named “Phyllis” in a Sketch called “Cher, My Life” which can be found on YouTube or Instagram. I played a Russian Grandmother in a Tecate Beer Commercial and an annoying customer in a Jet Blue Commercial. I bring color and life to each opportunity I get.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Taking risk can come in a variety of ways. Do you mean like me zip lining in Big Bear or Air Ballooning in Temecula; cuz that happened. Or do you mean taking risks with my career. I’ve definitely done that too. I was in a nude scene for Rob Zombie’s Lords of Salem as a witch with other witches around the bonfire.

In 1971, I moved from New York to Los Angeles. I was 24 years old. I had some money tucked away. But my parents weren’t thrilled. They had just heard about the Sylmar Earthquake breaking records and were scared to death. It was 6.6 in magnitude and caused over 500 mil in damage. But I moved anyway.

I met my husband the same year. My cousin matched me up on a date with a recent army vet sergeant, Dallas. He was so shy. We got married and eventually had two daughters. The idea of trying to make a living whilst providing for a household as an actor seemed impossible. It wasn’t until years later that I actively pursued it because I had more freedom and my daughters could involve also. After they left that interest, I myself continued it.

Contact Info:

• Email: 4Susie8@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanlenoregray/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susan.gray.5602
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdZ6UM7pD8NAr5b0Nd9vWcw/featured
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5606342/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1