Delbert Grady

Delbert Grady is a major antagonist in the Stephen King Story The Shining, as well as its 1980 film and 1997 miniseries counterparts. He also makes a minor appearance in Doctor Sleep. He was portrayed by Philip Stone in the 1980 film and Stanley Anderson in the 1997 mini-series.

The Shining 1980
Delbert Grady was a former caretaker of the Overlook Hotel. He, his wife, and two daughters lived there for months leading up to its opening. Grady was driven mad by the isolation, as well the “incompetence“ of his daughters. Their hatred for the hotel was so intense, that one of them made a futile attempt at burning the Overlook down. In response, Grady killed both of his daughters with an axe. When his wife tried to stop him, he shot her with a shotgun. After realizing what he had done, however, Grady turned the gun on himself and blew off his head.

Grady, as well as his daughters, were condemned to haunt the halls of the Overlook Hotel. He is seen when Jack Torrance goes to the ballroom to find it very occupied by the ghosts. Jack bumps into a man holding drinks. The drinks are poured onto Jack’s shirt. The man offers to clean Jack in the bathroom. He cleans him, just as Jack asks his name. The man said his name was Grady. Jack then realized who that was, having heard how Grady had murdered his family. At first, Grady seemed puzzled. Then, he suddenly became menacing. Grady stated that he corrected his family, via his duty. He then says that Jack’s family does not appreciate the Overlook. He said Jack’s were trying to prevent him from his duty. Grady then stated that Jack’s son, Danny, has a special power. He was using this power to contact a “n**ger”, referring to Dick Hallorann. Grady finishes the conversation by saying that Jack needs to correct his family.

The final scene with Grady takes place near the end of the film when Jack Torrance is trapped in the pantry by his family. Grady calls to Jack through the door and wakes him up. Grady tells Jack that he is willing to release him from the pantry if Jack was still willing to do his duty. Jack said he was. The door to the pantry opens, but Grady is nowhere in sight.

Abilities
Grady was once a perfectly human man. He had no special abilities. Under the Overlook‘s influence, Grady was an unstable monster. He carried an axe and a shotgun.

While undead, however, Grady is a master manipulator with his professional words. He also has some supernatural abilities. These abilities range from teleportation to telekinesis.