Erin Gray

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Erin Gray

Erin Gray
Born January 7, 1950 (age 57)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Spouse(s) divorced

Erin Gray (born January 7, 1950) is an American actress, perhaps best known for her role as Colonel Wilma Deering in the 1979–1981 television series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century

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[edit] Early life

At the age of eight her parents separated, and she moved to California with her mother. By the age of 15 she began pursuing a career in modelling, and within a few years she was considered one of the top models in New York.

In 1967 she made her debut on television as a dancer in the variety series Malibu U. A year later she married her high school sweetheart Ken Schwartz, and their son Kevan was born in 1976. While living in New York she began to develop an interest in acting, and so her family moved with her to Hollywood. Her first starring role was on the mini-series Evening In Byzantium, in 1978.

[edit] Buck Rogers

Erin Gray as Col. Wilma Deering in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
Erin Gray as Col. Wilma Deering in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century

Following good notices, she was put on contract at Universal, which led directly to her taking the role of Wilma Deering in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century - at first for a theatrically released movie, then for a recurring TV show.

Gray's trim, shapely figure, augmented by an tight one piece jumpsuit, was popular with the shows predominantly young male audience. However, the character was high profile within the show (second only to Gil Gerard's Buck Rogers), and represented one of the early examples of a strong female character in a science fiction setting; because of this she was seen as important role model for female viewers. She once told an interviewer:

“ I was the first female colonel. I enjoyed being that kind of role model for young women watching the show. A woman can be a colonel! A woman can be in charge! Those were new ideas then. ”

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[edit] Post Buck Rogers

Shortly after Buck Rogers, she began what became a well received recurring role in the television series Magnum P.I. as security expert J. "Digger" Doyle. She also went on to play Kate Summers in the 1982–1987 television series Silver Spoons.

When that show ended, she took regular film and TV work; In 1991, she had a featured role in Jason Goes To Hell, an entry in the Friday the 13th series. Most recently in 2005 she appeared in the film, Siren.

[edit] Star Trek : Voyager

During 1995, she auditioned for the role of Captain Kathryn Janeway on Star Trek: Voyager, getting down to the final 5.

[edit] Personal life

During the 1990s her marriage ended in divorce, and she also suffered through several deaths in her family. She has since married Richard Hissong, and they had a daughter Samantha in 1991.

[edit] Other work

Besides her acting work, Gray is also active in teaching Tai Chi, and in the late 1990s wrote a book entitled Act Right which contains advice for novice television and movie actors; a revised edition (ISBN 1-58436-000-3) was published in 2001.

[edit] Conventions

Gray is a regular figure at Sci-fi conventions of various kinds.

[edit] External links

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