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Billy Gray (actor)

William Thomas Gray (born January 13, 1938)[1] is an American actor, competitive motorcycle racer and inventor, known for his role as Bud on the television series Father Knows Best (1954–1960).[2]

Career

Gray began acting at five years old. He appeared with his mother in the 1949 horror comedy Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff (in separated scenes).[3] He acted in more than 200 movies. He acted with stars such as Humphrey Bogart, Doris Day, Bob Hope, William Holden, Michael Rennie, Judith Anderson, Pat O'Brien and Barbara Stanwyck.[4] He did not attend school and was educated by teachers hired by the film studios, often having class in tents set up on studio lots.[5] He portrayed a young Jim Thorpe in Jim Thorpe – All-American, and starred in the science fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still. He also portrayed Tagg "Bull's Eye" Oakley, younger brother of Annie Oakley in the pilot episode of Annie Oakley.[6]

From 1954 to 1960, Gray starred as son Bud Anderson in the television series Father Knows Best, for which he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He was cast as Plato in Rebel Without a Cause, but had to exit the role when a delay in shooting interfered with his commitment to Father Knows Best. He was arrested for marijuana possession in 1962 and served 45 days in jail.[2] However, he did reprise his role of Bud Anderson in two Father Knows Best reunion films in 1977.

From 1970 to 1995, Gray was a Class A motorcycle speedway racer and race promoter.[2][7] He then turned to inventing and entrepreneurship, having invented the F-1 guitar pick. He is also a motorcycle collector and businessman.[8]

Personal life

Gray was born in Los Angeles, to William H. Gray (1899–1963) and Beatrice A. Gray (née-Kimbrough; 1911–2009). He lost his father when he was 25.

Gray was married to and divorced from Helena Kallianiotes (1967–1969) and Donna Wilkes (1977–1981).[citation needed] As of July 2020, Gray lives in Topanga, California, in the same house he bought in 1957 while working on Father Knows Best.[9]

Filmography

Film

Television

References

  1. ^ Rose, Mike (January 13, 2023). "Today's famous birthdays list for January 13, 2023 includes celebrities Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Trace Adkins". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Retrieved January 13, 2023. Actor Billy Gray ("Father Knows Best") is 85
  2. ^ a b c Nolasco, Stephanie (17 February 2021). "'Father Knows Best' star Billy Gray reflects on child stardom, 1962 pot bust: 'I don't have time for regrets'". Fox News. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  3. ^ Smith, Edward Torchy. "Billy Grey, better known as Bud from Father Knows Best" (Podcast). Baby Boomers Talk Radio. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  4. ^ "Billy Gray". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  5. ^ Goldrup, Tom; Jim Goldrup (2015). Growing Up on the Set: Interviews with 39 Former Child Actors of Classic Film and Television. McFarland. pp. 101–102. ISBN 978-1-4766-1370-3.
  6. ^ Terrace, Vincent (January 10, 2014). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). McFarland. p. 49. ISBN 978-0-7864-8641-0. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  7. ^ Eskenazi, Gerald (15 May 1977). "Keeping Up With 'Father Knows Best'". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
  8. ^ Hall, Ken. "Billy Gray, Bud from Father Knows Best, Collects Racing Motorcycles". Southern Antiquing and Collecting Magazine. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  9. ^ Uhler, Steve (July 23, 2020). "My Visit With Bud From 'Father Knows Best'". Next Avenue. Retrieved February 26, 2021.

Bibliography

External links