Born Graham David Taylor, he transposed his first and middle names to come up with "Dave Gray". The "Ugly" part came from his wife, who joked that Gray was so ugly, he made her look attractive. 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 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 operaThe Young Doctors. The following year, however, Gray appeared in his most popular role, as a regular panelist on the game show Blankety Blanks. He proceeded to leave his role in The Young Doctors after his initial 13-week contract expired in order to work on Blankety Blanks, with Kennedy himself convincing Gray to do the game show. Gray had been receiving $100 a day for The Young Doctors, with Blankety Blanks paying $45 an episode this represented a pay cut. 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 was appointed Court Jester to 1977 King of Moomba Mickey Mouse. 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 from 1979–80, and Play Your Cards Right from 1984-85. 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 dysfunctionnasal spray in 2003.
According to Gray's autobiography It's Funny Being Ugly, Gray was not invited to speak at Graham Kennedy's funeral in 2005, and indeed did not know where the service was being held. He had to call presenter Philip Brady for details.
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 2011 Gray announced that he wished to be cryogenically frozenafter death.
