Biography
Erin Gray, born January 7, 1950, is a stunningly beautiful and talented model, actress, and author who was among the first models to transition successfully into television. She is best known for her role as Kate Summers on the popular TV series Silver Spoons (1982) and as Colonel Wilma Deering on Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979). Many women admired her strong portrayal of Colonel Deering, while many men appreciated her striking looks and attractive figure.
Born in Honolulu, Gray moved with her family to California at age eight and graduated from Pacific Palisades High School. At fifteen, a chance encounter with Nina Blanchard, head of a top Hollywood modeling agency, helped her realize her career path. She relocated to New York and quickly became one of the city's most sought-after models, alongside Farrah Fawcett, Veronica Hamel, and Susan Blakely. Television audiences recognized her from commercials for Breck, Max Factor, Clairol, Camay Soap, RC Cola, and the memorable English Leather cologne ad, where she provocatively declared, "My men wear English Leather—or they wear nothing at all!"
While modeling, Gray studied acting with renowned coach Warren Robertson, preparing for film and television opportunities. Universal Studios, impressed by her performances in series like Police Story (1973) and Gibbsville (1976), signed her to a seven-year contract. Under this agreement, she starred as a determined newspaper reporter in Irwin Shaw’s Evening in Byzantium (1978) (TV), earning praise from critics and audiences alike. This success led directly to her role in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979). Since then, she has frequently traveled between Hollywood and New York, the center of the magazine and fashion industry.
