Erin Gray was born on January 7, 1950, in Honolulu, Hawaii, and at the tender age of eight, she made the big move with her family to California, where she would eventually graduate from Pacific Palisades High School. Little did she know that a chance encounter with Nina Blanchard, the renowned head of one of Hollywood's top model agencies, would set her on a path that would define her future.
As a teenager, Erin Gray was convinced that modeling was her calling, and she took the bold step of moving to New York City, where she quickly became one of the town's most sought-after models. She rubbed shoulders with the likes of Farrah Fawcett, Veronica Hamel, and Susan Blakely, and appeared in numerous commercials for top brands such as Breck, Max Factor, Clairol, Camay Soap, and RC Cola. One of her most iconic roles was for English Leather cologne, where she famously declared, "My men wear English Leather - or they wear nothing at all!"
Between modeling assignments, Erin Gray honed her acting skills under the guidance of renowned coach Warren Robertson. When television movie offers began to roll in, she was more than ready to take on new challenges. Her performances on shows like Police Story (1973) and Gibbsville (1976) caught the attention of Universal Studios, which subsequently signed her to a seven-year contract.
Under the terms of her contract, Erin Gray was cast as a tough-minded newspaper reporter in Irwin Shaw's Evening in Byzantium (1978),a role that earned her critical acclaim and a direct spot in the coveted role of Colonel Wilma Deering in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979). Her commanding presence as Colonel Deering made her a household name, and she became a regular fixture between Hollywood and New York City, where she remained connected to the magazine and fashion world.
Many women admired Erin Gray's powerful portrayal of Colonel Wilma Deering, while many men admired her stunning looks and captivating figure. With her impressive modeling and acting career, Erin Gray solidified her status as a true Hollywood icon.
