Where did your interest in Grayson begin?
Grayson is a unique actress, lauded by many critics for her talent, yet she did not temper her idiosyncrasies. I find that terribly appealing, especially today when everyone looks, talks and dresses the same. There is no mistaking Grayson Hall for anyone else—for better or worse she was her own woman on her own terms. That’s very admirable in my estimation.

So, what made you so keen to tell Grayson’s story?
To me, she’s infinitely fascinating �?her energy, her unique manner, appearance. Some might not see the beauty there but I think her radical individualism is terribly appealing. Being a celebrity was not paramount to her—and I think it’s interesting, in our pop-obsessed culture, to look at that and her unique career and see that she didn’t chase the greater public acclaim pony when it was set right before her. Why? To many, that is the question.

And do you think you’ve found the answer?
I feel she chose not to give up what she loved �?New York City and the stage �?for a life she had already lived, during her first marriage, and did not enjoy. She did not want to play Judith Fellows �?her Night of the Iguana character �?over and over again, an uptight sexually repressed woman, which was her polar opposite.

So how did you set about piecing together Grayson’s timeline?
Steve Shutt, as many people know, dreamt of this book for many years and was astounded no one else was pursuing it. But he had other commitments and areas of interest, so when I bulldozed into his life with my boundless energy, he said “You know you could do this.�?He said that for a year before I finally said “Okay, I’ll do it, I want to do it!�?I built upon his collection of materials, which included fan club newsletters and New York Times reviews of plays, with many hours at the New York Public Library at Lincoln Center, and time spent at libraries in Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Nantucket, and through new interviews.

Sylvia Miles, producer Louise Lortel and Grayson celebrating the successful run of Jean Genet’s The Balcony (1960-61). © New York Public Library. Used with permission.

Did your interviewees uncover any new facets for you?
Interviewing Sylvia Miles was a big turning point because she opened up the door to actor and writer Frederic Kimball, whose memory and recall was astounding. After that I kept moving forward. Then there was the response of Grayson’s family, who had seen the depth of my research. For example, when I asked them when Grayson was really born, Matt Hall replied, “You probably know better than I!�?

What were you trying to achieve by writing this book?
Grayson was a vibrant woman. She was not Judith Fellows or Dr. Julia Hoffman. And the fact that people so strongly perceive that she was as staid and uptight as those two creations is a testament to her brilliance as an actor. She was very flamboyant, sensual and colourful, with the mouth of a truck driver. Also, though in every interview related to Dark Shadows I’ve seen, and even with me, Sam Hall has been upfront about Grayson getting him the job on Dark Shadows. However, the myth persists among fans that she was on the show only because he was head writer. That simply was not true. Dan Curtis was very fond of Grayson and the reason for her prominence on the show.

And did you uncover any surprises along the way?
While I suspected, due to my research, that she had been married before Sam, the actual revelation was startling. And though I’ve uncovered only a little about that marriage—it is interesting considering the impact I perceive it had on her. Also the vital élan with which she lived and experienced life, so different from what we get on screen, was quite fun. She was terribly theatrical but could live a full life offstage, which not all actors can do. She was almost two people in one. Though Grayson didn’t mince words and didn’t take much crap from anyone, her flamboyant outer shell was meant to keep people at bay—and it often worked. Those who knew her well realized how sensitive and vulnerable she truly was.

© New York Public Library. Used with permission.

How significant do you think the Dark Shadows era is within Grayson’s overall career?
She was recognized almost every day until the end of her life because of Dark Shadows. It allowed the Hall family to stay in New York and not relocate to Ohio, as they were contemplating when Grayson got the call for Dr. Hoffman. Until that time, they’d scraped by and relied on both their families for financial support. So career-wise it was very helpful, particularly to Sam. I think, as I say in my book, artistically it may not have been all that momentous to her personally, but it’s important to many of us because Dark Shadows introduced us to her. Without that, there would’ve been only a handful of supporting film roles. Her stage reputation would not have made it beyond New York City.

Now you're at the end of the writing process, how would you sum up Grayson?
A grand dame, loving mother, steadfastly loyal friend and genuinely kind. A curious creature.

Summing up, who do you think this book will appeal to?
Anyone who is at all curious about Grayson or who enjoys reading about individuals who unremittingly do their own thing. If you feel like distinctiveness is not readily apparent in our actors today, and pine for someone who was grandly, beautifully idiosyncratic, you will enjoy this account of Grayson’s life. If you are curious about the theatre or theatrical personalities, you should pick up the book.

To order Grayson Hall: A Hard Act to Follow from Amazon.com, click here.

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