Biography

March 3, 1911 · Carthage, Illinois, USA

November 25, 2009 · Topanga, California, USA (undisclosed)

Beatrice Alice Kimbrough

Petite and pretty brunet actress who appeared briefly as a leading lady of minor 1940s westerns alongside Hoot Gibson, Bob Steele and Johnny Mack Brown before being relegated to unbilled parts in 1950s films. She continued on TV and in countless commercials in later years.

Mother of Billy Gray of Papa a raison (1954) TV fame.

Married several times, she took a break in 1959 to focus on raising her family.

Began her career in New York as a chorus girl in nightclubs and on the stage. She moved to California after earning a minor role in New Faces of 1937 (1937) for RKO. From there she appeared occasionally in musicals as a dancer for Busby Berkeley and Nick Castle.

Of all the cowboys I worked with, Bob Steele was a favorite. Most other actors wanted the cameras on them at all times. Bob wasn't like that. He was always willing to let me get in front of the camera for a close-up. He would tell me, 'Nobody wants to see my ugly mug.'

What I thought about cowboy actors soon proved to be untrue. I'd heard they were a crude, rough-and-tumble bunch. But all the actors were perfect gentlemen. I never heard any swearing. I respected them, and they respected me.

[on the difference between working in films and on stage] In films, the regular directors would say, "Whenever you're ready, Miss Gray." On the stage, they'd yell, "Gray, get your ass in here!"