An iconic American science fiction female heroine is Erin Gray Buck Rogers. She was born Erin S. Gray in Honolulu, Hawaii, on January 7, 1950, and became famous for playing Colonel Wilma Deering in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, which shaped late 1970s and early 1980s television culture. However, her story goes beyond Buck Rogers’ futuristic clothing and space conflicts. She has been a model, actress, entrepreneur, author, Tai Chi and Chi Kung instructor, convention agent, and campaigner.
Her life has had several chapters. An uncertain upbringing, a successful modeling career, Hollywood acclaim, marriage and motherhood, financial difficulties, and the formation of a fan convention-important business followed. Her story is noteworthy since it’s not only about a famous actress. Reinvention is the story.
Erin Gray Early Life and Family Background
Erin Gray was born in Honolulu when Hawaii was still a U.S. Territory. Her parents were Diane Gray, who worked in photography, and Daniel Gray, a businessman and salesman. Her parents separated when Erin was about eight years old, beginning a period of considerable movement in her childhood.
For several years, Gray lived with her grandparents in the Palm Springs area, including a period in a trailer. Eventually she reunited with her mother, who had remarried, in Northern California. The family eventually became associated with the San Francisco Bay Area and Larkspur.
Gray has described her childhood as emotionally complicated. The experience of moving between households and learning independence at a young age became an important part of the personal story she later shared publicly. Her childhood was not the polished beginning one might expect from someone who would eventually become a glamorous television star.
She attended Redwood High School in Corte Madera and later completed high school at Pacific Palisades High School. She briefly attended UCLA, where she studied mathematics, before making a dramatic change in direction.
Erin Gray and Her Extraordinary Modeling Career
Gray entered modeling remarkably young. At approximately 14, she won a modeling contest that resulted in an assignment in St. Louis. Around 15 or 16, she met influential modeling agent Nina Blanchard, and her professional path accelerated.
By the 1970s, Gray had become one of the most recognizable commercial models in American advertising. She eventually moved to New York and reportedly earned around $100,000 a year during the height of her modeling career, an extraordinary income for that period.
Her face appeared in campaigns associated with major consumer brands, including L’Oréal, Max Factor, Breck, Clairol, Camay, RC Cola, Bloomingdale’s, and English Leather. She was also promoted as a “Maxi Girl” for Max Factor and appeared in a Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
Gray’s modeling career gave her something more valuable than money. It placed her directly in front of cameras and taught her how advertising, performance, lighting, wardrobe, and public presentation worked. While modeling, she also studied acting with coach Warren Robertson.
She even appeared as a dancer on the 1967 television series Malibu U, giving her an early taste of television performance.
Erin Gray and Ken Schwartz
Gray’s first husband was Ken Schwartz, whom she knew as a high school sweetheart. They married on November 29, 1968, in San Francisco.
Schwartz worked in real estate and later became involved in managing Gray’s career. Their marriage lasted more than two decades, although the relationship was affected by the demands of her growing career and periods of physical separation.
Their son, Kevan, was born in 1976. During some of Gray’s early Buck Rogers years, Schwartz and their young son remained in New York while Gray worked in California, adding another layer of pressure to family life.
Gray later spoke publicly about serious difficulties within the marriage and about seeking assistance from a domestic violence shelter. The marriage ended in divorce in 1990. The period also coincided with significant financial problems and bankruptcy, creating one of the most difficult transitions in her adult life.
Erin Gray and Richard Hissong
In 1991, Gray married Richard Hissong, a cinematographer and director of photography. Hissong worked on Silver Spoons and later accumulated television credits associated with productions such as Mad About You and Friends.
Their marriage became both a personal and professional partnership. Hissong became involved with Gray’s business and has been associated with Heroes for Hire as its CFO and partner.
The couple’s daughter, Samantha Gray Hissong, was born on December 21, 1991, in Los Angeles. Unlike her mother’s first marriage, Gray’s relationship with Hissong developed alongside a new chapter of entrepreneurship and family life.
Erin Gray Family at a Glance
| Family member | Relationship to Erin Gray | Notable details |
|---|---|---|
| Diane Gray | Mother | Photographer and photography assistant |
| Daniel Gray | Father | Businessman and salesman |
| Ken Schwartz | First husband | Married Gray in 1968; divorced in 1990 |
| Richard Hissong | Second husband | Cinematographer and Heroes for Hire partner |
| Kevan Schwartz | Son | Born in 1976; works in talent and convention booking |
| Samantha Gray Hissong | Daughter | Born in 1991; actress and media professional |
| Ilan Rubin | Son-in-law | Musician and drummer |
| Zev Elliott Rubin | Grandson | Born in 2023 |
Erin Gray as a Mother and Grandmother
Motherhood became an important part of Gray’s life, even while she was building a demanding entertainment career.
Her son Kevan, born in 1976, eventually became involved in the convention and talent industry. His work connects naturally with the business Gray later created, and he has been associated with talent booking and convention appearances.
Her daughter Samantha followed a more creative path. Samantha acted in the pilot of a Buck Rogers internet series, portraying Maddy, a girlfriend of the title character. She has also worked in media, writing, music journalism, radio, and related entertainment projects.
In October 2020, Samantha married musician Ilan Rubin, known for his work with Nine Inch Nails and other musical projects. Their son Zev Elliott Rubin was born in July 2023, making Gray a grandmother.
The family connection to entertainment therefore continued into another generation. Gray’s career began in front of cameras, while her children have developed their own connections to acting, music, media, and live events.
Erin Gray Becomes Colonel Wilma Deering in Buck Rogers
Since 1978’s Evening in Byzantium, Gray’s TV career has been defined. Her performance earned her a Universal Studios contract and the role that defined her public image for decades.
Gray played Colonel Wilma Deering, a military officer and main character in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Starting in 1979, the show continued till 1981.
Wilma Deering was more than a decoration. She was capable, disciplined, authoritative, and totally engaged in the show. Gray’s portrayal of a female leader in a science fiction adventure series was significant to many viewers.
Character’s impact outlasted the show’s duration. Gray has heard from Wilma Deering-inspired women who went into military, aviation, or tech occupations.
This is one of her more intriguing legacy pieces. A TV character from an entertainment series became a mirror for viewers to explore alternative possibilities.
Erin Gray and Silver Spoons
After Buck Rogers, Gray moved into another successful television role as Kate Summers-Stratton on Silver Spoons. The sitcom ran from 1982 to 1987 and starred Ricky Schroder.
The contrast between the two roles demonstrated Gray’s range. Wilma Deering belonged to futuristic adventure, while Kate Summers-Stratton placed her in a contemporary family comedy.
She also appeared in films and television productions throughout the following decades. Her credits include Six Pack, Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday, Magnum, P.I., Murder, She Wrote, Baywatch, Profiler, Port Charles, and numerous television movies.
Her later work included independent films and web productions. She received Best Actress recognition for Dreams Awake at film festivals and later received another Best Actress award for The Music Teacher at the 2020 Golden State Film Festival.
Erin Gray Creates Heroes for Hire
Perhaps the most surprising chapter of Gray’s career began after her divorce and financial difficulties.
Gray became increasingly involved with science fiction conventions during the 1990s. What initially looked like another form of fan interaction gradually became a business opportunity. She began helping fellow actors arrange convention appearances, including Buck Rogers co-star Gil Gerard and actor Marc Singer.
Around 1997, this work developed into Heroes for Hire.
The company connects actors and other public figures with conventions, promoters, producers, speaking engagements, personal appearances, and special events. Rather than functioning like a traditional Hollywood agency, it specializes in the practical details of the convention and appearance business.
Its work can include negotiating bookings, arranging travel, coordinating schedules, managing hotels and transportation, preparing event logistics, handling accounting, and providing on-site support.
Gray’s experience as both an actress and convention guest gave her an unusual perspective. She understood what promoters needed because she had been on the other side of the table.
Richard Hissong became involved in the company as CFO and partner, while Kevan also developed connections to talent booking. What began as a side activity eventually became one of Gray’s principal professional enterprises.
Erin Gray Beyond Acting
Gray’s interests have expanded considerably beyond Hollywood.
She teaches Tai Chi and Chi Kung and has incorporated these practices into her approach to personal development. She has also written about acting and performance, including Act Right: A Manual for the On-Camera Actor, co-authored with Mara Purl.
Her public advocacy has included work related to domestic violence and child protection. She has been associated with Haven House and other organizations concerned with supporting victims and protecting children.
She has also served in leadership and honorary capacities connected with charitable organizations, including the Innocent Lives Foundation. Her advocacy reflects some of the difficult experiences she has discussed from her own life.
Erin Gray’s Career and Personal Milestones
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1950 | Born January 7 in Honolulu, Hawaii |
| 1967 | Appeared as a dancer on Malibu U |
| 1968 | Married Ken Schwartz |
| 1976 | Son Kevan was born |
| 1978 | Appeared in Evening in Byzantium |
| 1979 | Buck Rogers in the 25th Century began |
| 1981 | Buck Rogers ended |
| 1982 | Began Silver Spoons and appeared in Six Pack |
| 1987 | Silver Spoons concluded |
| 1990 | Divorced Ken Schwartz |
| 1991 | Married Richard Hissong; daughter Samantha was born |
| 1993 | Appeared in Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday |
| 1997 | Heroes for Hire was established |
| 1998 | Act Right was published |
| 2020 | Continued acting and advocacy; Samantha married Ilan Rubin |
| 2023 | Became a grandmother through grandson Zev |
| 2026 | Remained connected to conventions, Heroes for Hire, and public discussions of her career |
Erin Gray’s Lasting Place in Popular Culture
Gray is still associated with Buck Rogers, but restricting her career to Wilma Deering misses the point.
She started as a teenage model, became one of the most successful commercial models of her time, moved into acting, became a TV star, overcame tremendous personal and financial upheaval, and then founded a business centered in fan culture, which helped sustain her television legacy.
Her family is likewise entertainment-related. Her husband Richard works in production, her son Kevan books talent, and her daughter Samantha works in performing and media. Samantha’s marriage to Ilan Rubin and her grandson’s 2023 birth have maintained the family’s creative links.
Gray also discussed her Star Trek: Voyager audition for Captain Kathryn Janeway. She didn’t get the job, but the narrative shows how much she identified with powerful characters. It was part of Wilma Deering’s professional identity decades later.
Her career has progressed in chapters rather than a single line. Modeling led to acting. Acting spawned fandom. Fandom enabled entrepreneurship. Personal pain fueled advocacy. Family was present during each change.
FAQ
Who is Erin Gray Buck Rogers?
Erin Gray is an American actress best known for playing Colonel Wilma Deering in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century from 1979 to 1981. She later became widely recognized for playing Kate Summers-Stratton on Silver Spoons.
When was Erin Gray born?
Erin Gray was born on January 7, 1950, in Honolulu, Hawaii, when Hawaii was still a U.S. Territory.
Who was Erin Gray’s first husband?
Her first husband was Ken Schwartz, whom she married on November 29, 1968. They divorced in 1990 and had one son, Kevan.
Who is Erin Gray’s current husband?
Gray married cinematographer Richard Hissong in 1991. Hissong has also been involved professionally with her Heroes for Hire business.
How many children does Erin Gray have?
Erin Gray has two children. Her son Kevan was born in 1976, and her daughter Samantha Gray Hissong was born in 1991.
Who is Samantha Gray Hissong?
Samantha Gray Hissong is Erin Gray’s daughter. She has worked as an actress and in media and writing. She also appeared in a Buck Rogers internet series.
Is Erin Gray a grandmother?
Yes. Her daughter Samantha married musician Ilan Rubin in 2020, and the couple welcomed their son Zev Elliott Rubin in July 2023.
What business did Erin Gray found?
Gray founded Heroes for Hire, a talent booking and event representation company specializing heavily in conventions, fan events, personal appearances, speaking engagements, and related bookings.
What does Heroes for Hire do?
Heroes for Hire connects celebrities with event organizers and manages practical details such as negotiations, scheduling, travel, accommodations, event coordination, accounting, and on-site support.
Does Erin Gray still act?
Gray has continued to make selective appearances in film, television, and web productions while devoting substantial attention to Heroes for Hire, convention work, teaching, speaking, and advocacy.
What is Erin Gray’s connection to Tai Chi?
Gray practices and teaches Tai Chi and Chi Kung. These practices have become part of her personal philosophy and her work involving wellness and personal development.
What made Colonel Wilma Deering important?
Colonel Wilma Deering was portrayed as a capable military officer with authority, independence, and an active role in the adventures of Buck Rogers. Gray’s performance made the character particularly memorable among viewers of late 1970s and early 1980s science fiction television.
