Veleka Gray

Veleka Gray (born March 22, 1951), sometimes credited as Velekka Gray, is an American actress, best known for her roles as department store executive Vicki Paisley Cannell on Somerset, and as Mia Marriott on Love of Life from 1977 to 1980.

Life and career Gray was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana.

In 1970, she landed her first soap role, replacing Donna Mills in the role of Laura Donnelly Elliott on Love is a Many Splendored Thing. In 1974 she was cast as vixen Susan Pritchett on How To Survive A Marriage. Veleka played the role of Mae on the Mod Squad episode “Welcome to the Human Race, Levi Frazee!”

In 1975, Gray joined the cast of Somerset as Victoria Paisley. Her screen partner in that role was Joel Crothers, who played Julian Cannell. Gray and Crothers were engaged to be married when he died in 1985.

In 1977, she was cast in the role of Mia Marriott on Love of Life. In April 1980, she originated the role of nurse Lyla Montgomery on As the World Turns.

In February 1983, Gray appeared on The Young and the Restless as sassy hotel manicurist Ruby Collins. Two months later, in April, she began a contract role as a different character in the same series, Dr. Sharon Reaves, Patty Williams' demure and earnest psychiatrist. This dual role made her the only actor in soap history to play two roles simultaneously on the same series that were neither related nor lookalikes.

Back in New York City in 1986, Gray became a regular cast member of the "CBS Radio Mystery Show" for Himan Brown.

Gray has taught acting, speech and business classes and worked with prisoners on public speaking skills.

Filmography Film Year Film Role Notes 1970 I Love My Wife The Stewardess 2009 Godmother The Godmother 2009 Flood Streets Eleanor Cameron 2009 Flag of my Father Dr. Souza Television Year Title Role Notes 1970 The Mod Squad Mae Colly 1 episode 1970–1972 Love is a Many Splendored Thing (TV series) Laura Donnelly Elliott #2 1974 How to Survive a Marriage Susan Pritchett 1975–1976 Somerset Victoria "Vicki" Paisley 1977–1980 Love of Life Mia Marriott 1980 As the World Turns Lyla Montgomery, R. N. #1 1983 The Young and the Restless Ruby Collins / Dr. Sharon Reaves