Erin Gray is well known for her role in the short lived but cult classic sci-fi series “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century”. Erin also starred in the TV series “Silver Spoons”. Movie Mikes had a chance to talk with Erin about her feelings on the shows popularity still after decades and what she is currently working on.
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Mike Gencarelli: How did you get involved with the show “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century”?
Erin Gray: Where do I begin? I have just made the transition from being a model in New York and moved to Los Angeles. Within a couple of months, I started working with Universal Studios. Shortly after, I was starring in mini-series called “Evening in Byzantium” with Glenn Ford. Once I finished production on that I was asked to come in and do a screen test for a project called “Buck Rogers”.
MG: Although any lasting two seasons are you supposed that the show was such a cult classic, how do you feel about that?
EG: It absolutely amazes that it has become such a cult classic. We certainly did not know at the time that it would resonate for so many more decades. Obviously “Buck Rogers” had a great history to begin with. A lot of fans were familiar with the comic books and the previous TV series. We brought a new look, feel and humor to “Buck Rogers”. It still blows my mind that after 30 years it is still in the hearts of minds of so many fans.
MG: How was it switching gears from sci-fi “Buck Rogers” to
“Silver Spoons”?
EG: It was a major shift. As a matter, I didn’t realize what a shift it was until I meet fans and they don’t put the two shows together. It is the same girl. I guess it is a bit different. For me I guess the idea of learning comedy was different. I am more of a method actor and more comfortable in the world of drama. Comedy has its own beat, rules and process. I really loved it. I loved the live performances. I loved my cast and crew I worked with. It was a really enjoyable 5 years of my life, a really enjoyable mix of work and family.
MG: Tell us what it was like working on the film “Jason Goes to Hell”?
EG: It was fun. “Friday the 13th” was a fun to work on due to the exuberant feelings of the cast and the crew. Working with Sean Cunningham was great. He brings a certain sense of humor and a ‘don’t take life too seriously’ attitude to the set as well. He talked me into doing “Friday the 13th” by telling me it was a dark comedy [laughs]. I usually don’t go to horror film or act in them for the reason that I am so easy to scare.
MG: What can you tell us about “Buck Rogers Begins” and your involvement?
EG: Yeah, that project was put together by James Cawley. He put together the “Star Trek New Voyages: Phase II” webisode series that has had a certain amount of success. He got the rights to “Buck Rogers. He raised enough money. The wrote a beautiful script but we were able to complete half of it. They are trying to raise more money to finish it. It was a wonderful opportunity. It was fun for Gil and I to play Buck Rogers parents. I also got to work with my daughter, who played Buck Rogers girlfriend. This was a prequel to the TV series. It leads up to the start of the comic book. This is who Buck was in the late 1900’s before he went into the cave. It is a period piece and it was great.
MG: What else do you have currently in the works?
EG: I just finished an independent movie called “Nesting”. I play a business woman who owns real estate. She gets annoyed by a couple that nests on her property, let’s put it that way. That will be coming out shortly. I also have a couple of television commercials floating around. My primary focus is my talent agent company “Heroes for Hire”. I also teach Tai Chi 5 days a week.
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