Mike Gray facts for kids

Mike Gray (born Harold Michael Gray) was an American filmmaker. He was a talented writer, director, and producer. He also worked as a cinematographer, which means he was in charge of how films were shot. Mike Gray lived from 1935 to 2013.

Mike Gray's Career in Film and TV

Early Films and Documentaries

In 1965, Mike Gray and Jim Dennett started a film company called The Film Group in Chicago. They made important documentaries. In 1968, with editor Howard Alk, they created American Revolution 2. This film won awards.

They also made The Murder of Fred Hampton in 1971. The Film Group also produced an educational series called "Urban Crisis and the New Militants." This series used footage from their documentaries. It also showed members of the Chicago Black Panther Party and a Civil Rights march. You can watch this series on the Chicago Film Archives' website and .

Movies and TV Shows

After moving to California, Mike Gray continued making films. He shot The Gift (1973), a documentary about the artist Marc Chagall.

Later, he helped write the movie The China Syndrome (1979). This film was about a nuclear power plant. It became very well known because it came out just before a real nuclear accident happened at Three Mile Island.

Mike Gray also wrote and directed Wavelength (1983). This was a science fiction film. It starred Robert Carradine and Cherie Currie. The music for the film was made by the band Tangerine Dream.

Next, Gray helped create the TV series Starman (1986–87). After that, he worked on a very popular show. He became a writer and producer for Star Trek: The Next Generation during its 1988–89 season.

Mike Gray also worked on other movies. He was a second unit director for The Fugitive (1993). He also acted in the movie Chain Reaction (1996). In 2008, he wrote scripts for films called The Zone and Forget About Yesterday. He was also working on a documentary with director Andy Davis and filmmaker Haskell Wexler.

Mike Gray's Personal Life

Mike Gray grew up in Indiana. He went to Purdue University and studied engineering. Later, he lived in Los Angeles, California. His wife, Carol, was a reporter for public radio. His son, Lucas, works as a storyboard artist for the famous TV show The Simpsons.

Mike Gray's Passing

Mike Gray passed away on April 30, 2013. He died at his desk.