Mackenzie Gray
Alexander Mackenzie Gray (born November 22, 1957) is a Canadian actor, voice artist, director, producer, and writer renowned for his prolific career spanning over four decades in film, television, theatre, and animation.[1][2] Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Gray began his professional acting journey in the 1980s, initially working in theatre and writing vignettes for Sesame Street.[1] He spent four years performing in London before relocating to Vancouver in 1998 to star in the USA Network series The Net (1998–1999).[2] Over his career, he has amassed more than 150 credits in film and television, often portraying complex antagonists and supporting characters.[3] Notable film roles include the Kryptonian villain Jax-Ur in Man of Steel (2013), which marked a significant breakthrough and was filmed in British Columbia, as well as appearances in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009) and Warcraft (2016).[4][2] In television, Gray has been a fixture in genre series, including multiple roles on Smallville (2001–2011) such as Dr. Alistair Krieg and a clone of Lex Luthor (LX-13), and the enigmatic Lux Dujour in Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (2016).[5] He has also appeared in acclaimed shows like Fargo (2015), Legion (2017), Riverdale (2017–2023), and the Canadian drama Da Vinci's Inquest (1998–2005).[2] As a voice actor, Gray has lent his talents to animated projects such as Iron Man: Armored Adventures (2009–2012) as Obadiah Stane, Ninjago (2019–present), and My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (2010–2019), earning recognition for his versatile performances.[6] In 2024, he received a Leo Award nomination for Best Voice Performance in an Animation or Children’s Program for Ninjago: Dragons Rising.[7] Gray's theatre work includes nominations for two Dora Mavor Moore Awards, and he has directed and produced projects like the short film Under the Bridge of Fear (2013), which screened at the Cannes Film Festival and garnered eight Leo Award nominations.[2] He has won three Leo Awards for acting: Best Guest Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series for Bitten ("Vengeance," 2014), Best Performance by a Male in a Youth or Children's Program for Spooksville ("The Dark Corner," 2014), and Best Guest Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series for Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency ("Rogue Wall Enthusiasts," 2017).[8][9][10] With a total of over 20 Leo nominations, Gray remains an influential figure in Canadian entertainment, dividing his time between Vancouver and Toronto.[3] He was married to actress Andrea Simpson from August 12, 2000, until 2005.[1][11]Early life and education
Birth and upbringing
Mackenzie Gray, born Alexander Mackenzie Gray on November 22, 1957, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, grew up in the city that would shape his early years.[1] As a child of British descent, Gray holds dual citizenship in the United Kingdom and Canada, a status rooted in his family's heritage.[12] Gray's upbringing in Toronto immersed him in a culturally vibrant environment, where his interest in the performing arts emerged at a young age. At five years old, his parents introduced him to the musical Camelot, sparking a passion for recitation and performance that led him to participate in plays throughout his school years.[13] In high school at Jarvis Collegiate Institute, he formed his own theatre group, collaborating with creative friends—many of whom were musicians—to write original material and stage productions in Toronto.[13] These formative experiences in local school and community theatre laid the groundwork for his lifelong dedication to acting.[13] This early foundation transitioned into formal training at the University of Toronto, where he pursued further development in the arts.[13]Academic background
Mackenzie Gray attended the University of Toronto for four years, where he received formal training in acting, design, and directing.[13] He graduated in 1983, having pursued studies that aligned with his interests in the performing arts.[13] Prior to his time at the University of Toronto, Gray had begun developing his skills in theatre through earlier experiences, including a four-year stint in London starting at age 18, where he trained and performed on stage.[13] His university education built on this foundation, emphasizing practical skills in production and performance that would influence his subsequent work in writing and producing.[13] This academic focus in arts-related fields provided a structured pathway for his emerging career in the creative industries. Gray's initial musical interests also emerged during this period, culminating in his role as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the Toronto rock band The Fridge Stickers.[13] These early pursuits in music, alongside his theatrical training, highlighted an interdisciplinary approach that later informed his multifaceted contributions to film, television, and stage.[13]Professional career
Theatre work
Mackenzie Gray began his professional stage career in the early 1980s with Toronto-based productions following his graduation from the University of Toronto in 1983.[13] His debut roles emerged in the local theatre scene, marking the start of a prolific trajectory in Canadian theatre that emphasized both classical and modern works.[14] Throughout his career, Gray has performed in over 100 plays across Canada, encompassing Shakespearean roles such as leads in Much Ado About Nothing, Macbeth, The Winter's Tale, Troilus and Cressida, and Romeo and Juliet, alongside contemporary pieces like Bloody Poetry, The Rocky Horror Show, The Threepenny Opera, and The Life and Times of Mackenzie King.[14] These performances spanned major venues and festivals, showcasing his versatility in dramatic and musical theatre formats.[14] In the 1990s, Gray received two Dora Mavor Moore Award nominations for outstanding performances, recognizing his contributions to Toronto's professional theatre community.[3] These accolades highlighted his ability to deliver compelling interpretations in high-profile productions during a period of intense activity in the city's stages.[3] Gray relocated to Vancouver in 1998, shifting his focus to the West Coast while continuing his stage work nationwide.[15] There, he became actively involved in the local theatre scene, including performances with the Arts Club Theatre Company, such as his role as Steve in the 2011 production of August: Osage County at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage.[16] This move broadened his engagement with regional ensembles, sustaining his commitment to live theatre amid a diversifying career.[15]Film and television roles
Mackenzie Gray's entry into film began in 1983 with a minor role in the Canadian war drama The Wars, directed by Robin Phillips, which served as his first North American feature after initial work in independent UK productions. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he built his screen presence through supporting parts in Canadian films and television, gradually transitioning from theatre-trained performances to more prominent on-camera opportunities, culminating in a key role as Candor in the science fiction thriller Replikator (1994). A significant breakthrough came in 2013 when Gray portrayed the villainous Kryptonian scientist Jax-Ur in Zack Snyder's Man of Steel, a role that showcased his commanding presence as a authoritative antagonist and helped establish him in major Hollywood productions.[4] This performance opened doors to higher-profile projects, leveraging his theatre-honed skills in physicality and intensity for live-action blockbusters. On television, Gray delivered notable turns, including the aging Lex Luthor clone LX-13 in the 2010 episode "Lazarus" of Smallville, where he embodied the character's manipulative intellect.[17] Gray's television career further advanced with his recurring role as the enigmatic antagonist The Eye, also known as Walter, in the FX series Legion (2017), a part that highlighted his ability to convey subtle menace in a surreal narrative.[18] He followed this with a recurring appearance as the forensic pathologist Dr. Curdle in Riverdale (2017–2018), contributing to the show's dark mystery arcs through his portrayal of a detached, authoritative figure.[18] Across his film and television work, Gray has frequently embodied authoritative or villainous characters, drawing on his versatile dramatic range to amass over 150 live-action credits by 2024.[3]Voice acting
Mackenzie Gray entered the field of voice acting in the late 1990s and gained prominence in the 2000s through roles in animated series, leveraging his versatile baritone for character work across genres. His early credits include additional voices in shows like Action Man (2000–2002) and Stargate Infinity (2002–2003), where he voiced the alien soldier Pahk'kal.[3][14] One of Gray's breakthrough voice roles was as the villainous Obadiah Stane in the Marvel animated series Iron Man: Armored Adventures (2009–2012), portraying the Iron Monger as a cunning antagonist in this sci-fi adaptation. He has since amassed over 30 voice credits, frequently in fantasy and science fiction productions that capitalize on his deep, authoritative timbre for authoritative or menacing figures.[6] Gray's most extensive voice work has been in the Ninjago franchise, starting with the 2011 series Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu, where he voiced characters such as the serpentine general Fangtom and the Museum Curator. His contributions continued into the sequel series Ninjago: Dragons Rising (2023–present), including the role of Dorama in episodes through 2024, demonstrating his ongoing involvement in this long-running fantasy adventure; for his work in the series, he received a Leo Award nomination for Best Voice Performance in an Animation or Children’s Program in 2024.[19][20][7] In the fantasy musical series LoliRock (2014–2017), Gray provided the voice for the primary antagonist Gramorr, the tyrannical ruler of Ephedia, whose ominous presence drove much of the show's conflict across its first two seasons. This role, among others, underscores Gray's affinity for complex villainous characters in animated narratives.[21]Producing, music, and teaching
In addition to his acting career, Mackenzie Gray has engaged in producing and directing, particularly in independent film projects. He co-produced the award-winning feature film Poe: Last Days of the Raven (2008), which explores the final days of the poet Edgar Allan Poe and premiered at various festivals. Gray also wrote, produced, and directed the short film Under the Bridge of Fear (2013), a noir-style thriller produced under the Crazy8s initiative; it screened at the Cannes Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, Whistler Film Festival, and was acquired by CBC for broadcast. Gray's musical background dates to the 1980s, when he served as lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the Toronto rock band The Fridge Stickers. This experience laid the foundation for his later work in composition, where he has created incidental music, scores, and theme songs for various media. Notable contributions include scoring the documentary Graceland (2005), composing music for the short film My Mind’s Eye (2013), and providing the score for the stage production Math Out Loud, which premiered in Vancouver in 2011. Since the 2000s, Gray has contributed to education in the performing arts. He taught film history at the Art Institute of Vancouver for five years, focusing on the evolution of cinema and its techniques. Currently, he instructs acting for film at the University of British Columbia, emphasizing practical skills for screen performance. In a 2024 interview reflecting on over 40 years in the industry, Gray highlighted the importance of mentorship, crediting his growth to the guidance received from seasoned colleagues and underscoring how such relationships have sustained his diverse creative pursuits.Personal life
Citizenship and residence
Mackenzie Gray holds dual citizenship in Canada and the United Kingdom. He was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, remaining there until the late 1990s. In 1998, Gray relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia, for the role in the USA Network series The Net. As of 2025, he divides his time between Vancouver and Toronto.[12][3][2][14]Philanthropy and interests
Beyond his professional pursuits, Mackenzie Gray maintains a strong personal interest in music composition and performance, rooted in his early experiences as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the Toronto rock band The Fridge Stickers. He continues to engage in music as a hobby, playing guitar with the band Rekkerz during informal summer gatherings at Wreck Beach in Vancouver, and has composed incidental music, scores, and songs for various personal and collaborative projects, including cabarets and musicals.[13][22] Gray is involved in arts education and mentorship, having taught Film History at The Art Institute of Vancouver for five years and currently instructing Acting for Film at the University of British Columbia, where he shares insights from his extensive experience to guide emerging performers.[13] Public details on Gray's philanthropy are limited, though he has supported community initiatives in the performing arts, such as participating in Vancouver's Heart of the City Festival, which provides free cultural events like acting workshops and music performances to benefit the downtown eastside community. In a November 2025 appearance on the Our City Tonight podcast, Gray reflected on industry anecdotes and expressed his enduring passion for the performing arts, highlighting how these pursuits contribute to his personal fulfillment after a long career.[22][23]Filmography
Feature films
Mackenzie Gray's feature film career spans over four decades, with credited roles in more than 25 theatrical releases, direct-to-video productions, and independent films as of 2024. Confirmed feature film roles include an upcoming project in 2025. The following table lists his credited roles chronologically, with character names where specified in production credits.[3][18]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | The Wars | (unspecified) |
| 1994 | Replikator | (unspecified) |
| 1996 | The Long Kiss Goodnight | (unspecified) |
| 1997 | 2103: The Deadly Wake | (unspecified) |
| 1997 | Falling Fire | Joe Schneider |
| 1997 | Strip Search | Lawrence Durrell |
| 1998 | Shepherd | Lyndon |
| 2003 | The Hitcher II: I've Been Waiting | (unspecified) |
| 2005 | Fugitives Run | (unspecified) |
| 2007 | Shooter | Dave Simmons |
| 2008 | Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead | Bartender |
| 2008 | Riddles of the Sphinx | (unspecified) |
| 2009 | The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus | (unspecified) |
| 2010 | Hard Ride to Hell | (unspecified) |
| 2011 | Grave Encounters | Houston Gray |
| 2012 | Vengeance Is Mine | Darko |
| 2013 | Man of Steel | Jax-Ur |
| 2013 | Metallica: Through the Never | Tall Man |
| 2016 | Warcraft | Lordaerian Delegate |
| 2017 | Heart of Clay | (unspecified) |
| 2019 | Rabid | Gunter |
| 2021 | Ditched | Caine |
| 2022 | On the Edge | (unspecified) |
| 2024 | Festival of the Living Dead | EMT Barclay |
| 2025 | Blind Owl | Uncle / Father twins |
Television series
Mackenzie Gray began his television career with a guest role on The X-Files in 1993, marking his entry into live-action series work after transitioning from theatre in the early 1990s.[24] Over the subsequent decades, he amassed credits in more than 30 series, primarily in guest and recurring capacities, often portraying authoritative or enigmatic figures in science fiction, drama, and supernatural genres.[24] His roles frequently appeared on Canadian and U.S. networks, showcasing his versatility in supporting parts that contributed to ensemble narratives. The following table catalogs his key live-action television series appearances chronologically, including character names and episode counts where greater than one. This excludes voice-only animation work, films, and shorts.| Year(s) | Series | Role | Episodes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | The X-Files | Crew Member | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 1998 | Da Vinci's Inquest | Various | 3 | Guest[24] |
| 1998 | First Wave | Eddie | 2 | Guest[24] |
| 1998 | Cold Squad | Nigel Smatter | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 1998 | The Net | Rogue | 22 | Series regular[24] |
| 1998 | Welcome to Paradox | Carl | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 1999 | So Weird | Manager | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2000 | Big Sound | Joel | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2000 | Andromeda | Prie | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2002 | The Twilight Zone | Mr. Hunt | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2003 | Romeo! | Mr. Thompson | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2004 | The Collector | Satan | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2004 | The L Word | Ivan's Husband | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2005 | Young Blades | Count Mandre | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2005 | Supernatural | The Djinn | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2006 | Psych | Jerry | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2006 | Kyle XY | Taylor Driscoll | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2006, 2010 | Smallville | Dr. Alistair Krieg (2006); Lex Luthor Clone (LX-13) (2010) | 2 (1 each) | Guest; notable appearances in "Cyborg" and "Lazarus" episodes[24][25] |
| 2008 | Sanctuary | Mr. King | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2008 | Fringe | September (The Observer) | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2010 | Human Target | Marshall | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2010 | True Justice | Agent Winters | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2010 | The Bridge | John Nelson | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2010–2014 | R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour | Various (e.g., Devil) | 3 | Guest, multiple episodes[24] |
| 2011 | Once Upon a Time | Kurt's Friend | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2012 | Alcatraz | Kit Nelson's Father | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2014 | Bitten | Professor Carlyle | 2 | Recurring[24] |
| 2014 | Fargo | Wes Wrench | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2014 | Some Assembly Required | David Bowie | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2015 | Project Mc² | The Director | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2016 | DC's Legends of Tomorrow | Time Master Council Member | 2 | Recurring[24] |
| 2016 | Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency | Lux DuJour | 1 | Guest[24] |
| 2017 | Legion | Walter / The Eye | 8 | Recurring[24] |
| 2017 | Private Eyes | (unspecified) | 1 | Guest[26] |
| 2017–2018 | Riverdale | Dr. Curdle Sr. | 4 | Recurring[24][27] |
| 2019 | V Wars | Dr. Negrey | 1 | Guest[3] |
| 2020–2021 | Nancy Drew | Father Shane | 2 | Guest[3] |
Voice roles
Mackenzie Gray has lent his voice to over 30 animated television series, video games, and dubs, often portraying authoritative or antagonistic figures that highlight his vocal range and versatility in villainous roles. His contributions span from early 2000s video game ensembles to ongoing animated franchises, with a focus on dynamic character work in popular Western animations. The following table enumerates select representative voice credits chronologically, emphasizing key series and games:| Year(s) | Title | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2009–2012 | Iron Man: Armored Adventures (TV series) | Obadiah Stane / Iron Monger[29] |
| 2011–2019 | Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu (TV series) | Fangtom / Museum Curator / Mystake (select episodes) |
| 2012 | Transformers: Prime (TV series) | Additional voices |
| 2014–2017 | LoliRock (TV series) | Gramorr[21] |
| 2017 | My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (TV series) | Gladmane |
| 2021 | Jurassic World Evolution 2 (video game) | John Hammond |
| 2023–2024 | Ninjago: Dragons Rising (TV series) | Dorama / Additional characters[20] |
Short films
Mackenzie Gray has contributed to over 30 short films as an actor, often portraying supporting characters in drama, horror, and sci-fi genres, while also serving as writer, producer, and director for several projects produced under the Crazy8s banner and independently.[3] His short film work spans from the late 1990s to the 2020s, showcasing his versatility in low-budget, festival-circuit productions that frequently explore psychological and genre themes. The following table highlights selected short film credits in chronological order, including acting roles and behind-the-scenes contributions:| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | The Cellar | Mr. Friendly (actor) | 23-minute horror short directed by Craig Cornell and Kevin Schjerning.[30] |
| 2000 | Legs Apart | Doctor (actor) | Intimate drama short exploring personal relationships.[31] |
| 2000 | The Artist's Circle | (actor) | 9-minute comedy short directed by Bruce Marchfelder, featuring ensemble cast in an art world satire.[32] |
| 2013 | Under the Bridge of Fear | Writer, producer, director | 7-minute film noir short produced under Crazy8s; screened at Cannes Court Métrage, Vancouver International Film Festival, and Whistler Film Festival; broadcast on CBC; nominated for 10 Leo Awards and won Best Cinematography.[33] |
| 2016 | 2BR02B: To Be or Naught to Be | Dr. Hitz (actor) | 18-minute sci-fi short adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's story, directed by Marco Checa Garcia; premiered at festivals including NY Sci-Fi Film Festival.[34] |
Awards and nominations
Leo Awards
Mackenzie Gray has received three Leo Awards for his acting work, out of 19 total nominations spanning from 1999 to 2024.[10] His wins recognize standout supporting and guest performances in television series, highlighting his versatility in dramatic and youth-oriented roles. The following table lists his Leo Award wins chronologically, including the award year, category, project, and episode where applicable:| Year | Category | Project | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Best Performance in a Youth or Children's Program or Series | Spooksville | For the role of Mr. Spiney in "The Dark Corner" (aired 2013).[35][6] |
| 2014 | Best Guest Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series | Bitten | For the role in "Vengeance."[8] |
| 2017 | Best Guest Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series | Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency | For the role of Lux DuJour in "Rogue Wall Enthusiasts."[36][37] |