Sylvia Dolores Finkelstein, known professionally as Dolores Gray, was a renowned American singer, actress, and performer who had a remarkable six-decade-long career in various aspects of show business. Born on June 7, 1923, in Los Angeles, California, Gray's early life was marked by her parents' divorce when she was a young child. Her father, Harry Finkelstein, was a vaudevillian performer who went by the stage name "Harry Vernon," and her older brother, Richard Vernon (later Gray),also pursued a career in entertainment.
Gray's introduction to the world of show business began at a young age, singing in Hollywood supper clubs at the tender age of 14. She was soon discovered by Rudy Vallee, who featured her on his self-titled radio show, making her a minor celebrity. Her early film appearances included uncredited singing roles in Lady for a Night (1942) and Mr. Skeffington (1944).
Gray's Broadway debut came in 1942 with the revue "Seven Lively Arts," produced by Billy Rose, and she went on to co-star in the musical "Are You With It?" with Johnny Downs the following year. Her reputation as a cabaret and supper club entertainer grew, and by 1945, she was starring in her own radio program.
In 1947, Gray landed the role of Annie Oakley in the Broadway musical hit "Annie Get Your Gun," following the departure of the original star, Ethel Merman. Her performance earned her the title of "toast of the West End" and kept her in the spotlight for over two years.
Gray's subsequent Broadway appearances included "Two on the Aisle" (1951),"Carnival in Flanders" (1953),and "Destry Rides Again" (1959),for which she earned a Tony nomination. She also appeared in several films, including It's Always Fair Weather (1955),Kismet (1955),The Opposite Sex (1956),and Designing Woman (1957).
In the 1960s and 1970s, Gray continued to work in television, recording, and live performances, earning a reputation for her extravagant lifestyle, outlandish clothes, and joie de vivre. She made several appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and recorded the album "Warm Brandy" for Capitol Records.
Gray's later years saw her return to the stage, including a 1973 London production of "Gypsy" and a 1986 Broadway revival of "42nd Street." Her final stage appearance was in the 1987 London production of Stephen Sondheim's "Follies," earning her show-stopping applause for her rendition of the classic song "I'm Still Here."
Gray married California businessman and race horse owner Andrew Crevolin in 1967, and although the marriage lasted only nine years, the couple remained close friends until Crevolin's death in 1992. Gray passed away on June 26, 2002, at the age of 78, due to a heart attack in her Manhattan apartment.
