Graham David Taylor (born 26 December 1933), known better as Ugly Dave Gray, is an English Australian comedian, actor, television personality, radio presenter, singer-songwriter, game show host and compere and panellist. He featured briefly in the TV serial The Young Doctors in 1976–1977 as publican Bunny Howard.
Biography Early life Born Graham David Taylor, he transposed his first and middle names to come up with "Dave Gray". The "Ugly" part came from his first wife, Gail Gray, who joked that Gray was so ugly, he made her look attractive.Ugly Dave Gray, It's Funny Being Ugly New Holland 2008 p. 86 He became active as a comedian in his native England in the 1960s, before arriving in Australia.
Career
His first television gig in Australia was in 1972, when he hosted a version of the American television game show Beat the Clock. Although still working as a stand-up comedian, by 1976, Gray had taken a straight dramatic role as publican Bunny Howard in the early episodes of soap opera The Young Doctors. The following year, however, Gray appeared in his most popular role, as a regular panellist on the game show Blankety Blanks. He proceeded to leave his role in The Young Doctors after his initial 13-week contract expired to work on Blankety Blanks, with Graham Kennedy himself convincing Gray to do the game show.Gray, Dave. It's Funny Being Ugly, New Holland Publishers, 2005. . pp. 125–6 Gray had been receiving $100 a day for The Young Doctors; with Blankety Blanks paying $45 an episode, this represented a pay cut.Gray, Dave. It's Funny Being Ugly, New Holland Publishers, 2005. p. 126 Later, Gray signed with agent Harry M Miller, who negotiated the increased pay rate of $75 per episode, which remained until the series ended.Gray, Dave. It's Funny Being Ugly, New Holland Publishers, 2005. p. 133.
Gray was appointed Court Jester to 1977 King of Moomba Mickey Mouse (a controversial choice with some Melburnians, who preferred 'home-grown' Blinky Bill).Craig Bellamy, Gordon Chisholm, Hilary Eriksen (17 February 2006) Moomba: A festival for the people.: PDF pp. 17–22
With his ever-present cigar, Gray became one of the most popular comedians on Australian TV. He became a game show host in his own right, helming Celebrity Tattle Tales in 1980, and Play Your Cards Right from 1984 to 1985. Gray also appeared in a series of commercials for Half Case supermarkets in the 1980s, as well as spots for other products, including an erectile dysfunction nasal spray in 2003.
In the 1980s, Gray also presented a drive-time radio program on 3UZ, with Mary Hardy.
Biography and personal life
Ugly Dave Gray has two children, a daughter and a son. His son, also called Dave Gray, is following in his father's footsteps as a comedian.
In his 2005 autobiography, It's Funny Being Ugly, Gray said he was not invited to speak at Graham Kennedy's funeral, and indeed was not even told where the service was being held. He did attend after asking Phillip Brady for details.Gray, Dave "It's Funny Being Ugly", New Holland Publishers, 2005 p. 224
In 1999, Gray announced that he wished to be cryogenically frozen after death.
Albums + List of albums, with certifications Title Album details Certifications Gray and Spicy. Boom! Boom! Released: 1977 Format: LP, Cassette Label: Crest International (CRIN-TV-123) AUS: Gold Ugly Dave Gray's Singalong Released: October 1977 Format: LP, Cassette Label: Crest International (CRIN-TV-130)
Filmography TitleYearRole In Melbourne Tonight (TV series) 1969–1970 Himself (Host) The Graham Kennedy Show 1973–1975 Himself The Ernie Sigley Show (TV series) 1974 Himself (Guest artist) Ted Hamilton's Musical World (TV series) 1974 Himself The Penthouse Club (TV series) 1974 Himself Celebrity Squares (Australian version) (TV series) 1975–1976 Himself (Celebrity) Dinah! (TV series) 1976 Himself The Young Doctors (TV series) 1976–1977 Bunny Howard All at Sea (TV movie) 1977 Dick Goscomb Blankety Blanks (TV series) 1977–1978 Himself (Panellist) Celebrity Tattle Tales (TV series) 1980 Himself (Host) The Daryl Somers Show 1982–1983 Himself Play Your Cards Right (TV series) 1984 Himself (Host) Vaudeville (TV movie documentary) 1992 Himself Frontline (TV series) (known as Behind the Frontline or Breaking News in the U.S.) 1994 Himself Burke's Backyard 1996 Himself (Celebrity gardener) The Micallef P(r)ogram(me) (TV series) 2001 Himself (Guest) Gettin' Square (Movie) 2003 Jack Cullan Double the Fist (TV series) 2004 Himself Graham Kennedy: Farewell to the King (TV movie) 2005 Himself Temptation (TV series) 2006 Himself (Contestant) I Will Not Go Quietly (Documentary) 2010 Himself The Hamster Wheel (TV series) 2011 Himself (Guest)
References in popular culture Gray was portrayed by Angus Sampson in the 2007 television movie The King, about the life of Graham Kennedy.
References
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