Spalding Gray
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Bibliography
Biography
Anxiety-ridden New Englander known for his autobiographical monologues and his association with the NYC experimental theater company, The Wooster Group, which he co-founded in 1977. His experience as a bit player in "The Killing Fields" (1984) was translated into an OBIE-award winning one-person show and then into the film "Swimming to Cambodia" (1987), directed by Jonathan Demme.
Prior to his breakthrough, Gray was memorable in a small role in David Byrne's "True Stories" (1986). As a result of the success of "Swimming to Cambodia," he continued to appear in features--while devoting time to writing and stage performances--usually playing doctors or other WASP establishment figures. His films include "Beaches," as a doctor, "Clara's Heart" (both 1988) and "Straight Talk" (1992), again as a doctor. Gray also worked in TV.
In 1992, he returned to his roots with "Monster in a Box," a film version of his acclaimed staged monologue. Chronicling Gray's life after "Swimming to Cambodia" and his struggle to write a semi-autobiographical novel, "Impossible Vacation." He next appeared in Paul Mazursky's "The Pickle" (1993), as . . . a doctor. He had a change of pace portraying a newspaper editor in Ron Howard's "The Paper" (1994) and was a tour group leader in "Beyond Rangoon" (1995). In 1998, Gray displayed his ablities to carry an entire show when he performed soley in "Morning, Noon and Night." He then joined rappers Method Man and Redman for the feature "How High," A comedy about two students who, after being accepted to Harvard, manage to turn the campus upside-down. (2001) In the 2002 feature "Revolution #9," Gray co-starred in the thriller with veteran Adrienne Shelly and newcomer Michael Risley.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Writer (Special)
Special Thanks (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1965
Began career as actor at Alley Theater, Houston
1969
Joined Richard Schechner's Performance Group, New York
1977
Appeared in the adult films, "The Farmer's Daughter" and "Candy Lips"
1977
Co-founded Wooster Group (with Elizabeth LeCompte)
1977
Performed first autobiographical "direct address" monologue, "Three Places in Rhode Island"
1983
Film debut (voice only), "Variety"
1984
Feature acting debut, "The Killing Fields"
1986
TV debut in "The American Dream", a documentary interview and panel discussion show
1986
Artist-in-residence, Mark Taper Forum
1992
Published first novel, "Impossible Vacation"
1998
Performed solo show "Morning, Noon and Night" in San Francisco
1999
Cast in the indy feature "Coming Soon"
2001
Cast in the romantic comedy "Kate & Leopold"
2001
Portrayed Prof Jackson in the comedy feature "How High"
2002
Co-starred as Scooter McCrae in the thriller feature "Revolution #9"
Family
Companions
