Billy Gray (actor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Billy Gray
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Gray in 1977
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| Born |
William Thomas Gray
January 13, 1938 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor, businessman |
| Years active | 1943–1980 |
| Spouse(s) |
Helena Kallianiotes
(m. 1967; div. 1969)Donna Wilkes
(m. 1977; div. 1981) |
William Thomas Gray, born on January 13, 1938, is an American actor, a competitive motorcycle racer, and an inventor. He is best known for playing Bud Anderson in the popular television series Father Knows Best from 1954 to 1960.
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Billy Gray's Acting Journey
Billy Gray started acting when he was just five years old. He appeared in more than 200 movies! He worked alongside famous stars like Humphrey Bogart, Doris Day, and Bob Hope.
Early Roles and Big Movies
Billy Gray appeared with his mother in the 1949 movie Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff. He played a young Jim Thorpe in the film Jim Thorpe – All-American. He also starred in the classic science fiction movie The Day the Earth Stood Still. Billy Gray even played Tagg "Bull's Eye" Oakley, the younger brother of Annie Oakley, in the first episode of the Annie Oakley TV show.
Starring in Father Knows Best
From 1954 to 1960, Billy Gray played the son, Bud Anderson, in the TV series Father Knows Best. This role was very popular, and he was even nominated for an award called the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He returned to play Bud Anderson again in two Father Knows Best TV movies in 1977.
Life After Acting
After his main acting career, Billy Gray became a Class A motorcycle speedway racer and even helped organize races from 1970 to 1995. Later, he became an inventor and a businessman. He invented a special guitar pick called the F-1. He also collects motorcycles and runs businesses.
Billy Gray's Personal Life
Billy Gray was born in Los Angeles, California. His parents were William H. Gray and Beatrice A. Gray.
He was married to Helena Kallianiotes from 1967 to 1969, and to Donna Wilkes from 1977 to 1981. As of July 2020, Billy Gray lives in Topanga, California. He still lives in the same house he bought in 1957 while he was working on Father Knows Best.
Billy Gray's Film and TV Appearances
Billy Gray appeared in many films and television shows throughout his career. Here are some of his notable roles.
Movies
- 1943: Man of Courage as Mike Wilson
- 1949: Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff as Boy with Bow and Arrow
- 1950: Father Is a Bachelor as Feb Chalotte
- 1951: Jim Thorpe – All-American as Young Jim Thorpe
- 1951: The Day the Earth Stood Still as Bobby Benson
- 1953: By the Light of the Silvery Moon as Wesley Winfield
- 1955: The Seven Little Foys as Bryan Lincoln Foy
- 1961: The Explosive Generation as Bobby Herman Jr.
- 1971: Werewolves on Wheels as Pill
Television Shows
- 1950: The Gene Autry Show as Jimmy Foster (Episode: "The Star Toter")
- 1953: Adventures of Superman as Young Alan Harper (Episode: "Shot in the Dark")
- 1954–1960: Father Knows Best as James "Bud" Anderson Jr. (200 episodes)
- 1961: Alfred Hitchcock Presents as Perry Hatch (Episode: “The Hat Box”)
- 1965: Rawhide as Lindsay McCullers (Episode: "Moment in the Sun")
- 1977: The Father Knows Best Reunion as James "Bud" Anderson Jr. (Television film)
- 1977: Father Knows Best: Home for Christmas as James "Bud" Anderson Jr. (Television film)
