Lawrence Gray was a handsome, amusing and agreeable actor whose career began in silent films in 1925. His good looks and amiable style made him a first-rate leading man for strong females stars, including Gloria Swanson in Stage Struck (1925), Evelyn Brent and Louise Brooks in Love 'Em and Leave 'Em (1926), Norma Shearer in After Midnight (1927), and Colleen Moore (in Oh Kay! (1928). Supporting parts, such as in King Vidor's The Patsy (1928) and Howard Hawks' Trent's Last Case (1929), were interspersed with his leading roles.
Following the enormous success of The Jazz Singer (1927), one of the first films to feature synchronized sound, movie studios produced dozens of musicals every year from 1928 to 1930. Lawrence Gray had a light and pleasing tenor voice which enabled his easy transition from silent to musical films. His musicals include Marianne (1929) and The Floradora Girl (1930), both starring Marion Davies, It's a Great Life (1929), with the Duncan Sisters, and Sunny (1930), with Marilyn Miller. As in his silent films, he was either the leading man to the featured female star, or a supporting player. Gray's career in musicals ended in 1931, when their over-production caused audiences to rapidly lose interest.
The remaining years of his career included supporting roles (and a few leads) in low-budget films. His most interesting film in this period is The Old Homestead (1935), which features the first film appearance of Roy Rogers (credited under his real name Len Sly), Bob Nolan and other members of the original Sons Of the Pioneers musical group. After his acting career ended in 1936, Gray spent thirty-three years in Mexico as a coordinator between the Mexican and US film industries. He died February 2, 1970 in Mexico City.
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