Despite not being “big on horror films” Erin Gray has worked on a couple… The ninth installment in the Friday the 13th franchise, Jason Goes To Hell (1993) which producer Sean S. Cunnigham convinced her, “was more of a black Comedy” to ensure her participation.
Also a TV movie from 2008, entitled Ghouls. She tells me about that experience whilst she talks her evening walk…
“Dying in Romania on cobblestone streets at two in the morning with my guts leaking into the pavement. After six weeks on location I was done with that shoot. Romania though, the streets, the architecture, I thought of course, this is the home of Count Dracula it looks exactly how you would imagine it to”.
A career spanning forty plus years, Gray is no stranger to the film and television business. With roles in shows from The Rockford Files, Magnum PI, The Fall Guy, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Starman, Superboy, Murder She Wrote and The Hitchhiker. To her sassy and sexy iconic Col. Wilma Deering from Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Gray certainly knows the ropes and has kept her credentials as a successful working actress. On top of that she also looks after high profile talent for special appearances via her agency: Heroes For Hire.
“I don’t know how that happened, it just did. I thought it would be a wave but it turned into a tsunami. I thought there was probably a way to serve both parties. I had no idea I’d end up negotiating with Indonesia, Argentina or Panama it just boggles my mind sometimes”
Gray strikes me as smart and focused with a relaxed openness that makes me feel like I am in safe hands. Clearly negotiating with her would be a pleasure, so no wonder Heroes For Hire has been a success with a strong roster of performers from across the world.
“I don’t really attend conventions anymore I’m a home bunny I like my cats and my walks but sometimes I do go out, so I can get a feel for a show”
We are very lucky then that Erin has agreed to join us next month for our Famous Monsters Festival taking place at the Valley Forge Casino, King Of Prussia, PA between October the 13th and 15th. Joining her good friends Sean S. Cunningham whom she describes as “always being happy, in a good mood, with an impish grin on his face” and Kane Hodder a “unique human being, you can’t not love him”.
Erin has also agreed to offer attendees on Saturday evening a very special opportunity… To take part in a one off beginners Tai Chi class.
“ Tai Chi is my passion. I have studied all kinds of exercise routines whether it be dancing, tennis, training for marathons, aerobics, yoga, boxing you name it I’ve tried it. To me Tai Chi is the ultimate exercise, for the rest of your life. This is the exercise that will strengthen your immune system, It allows your body to come back into balance and heal itself. I always feel so happy when I finish teaching. When I share what I know to be true. I want people to be of service to themselves and learn these movements. Combined with breath and awareness you can transform your life.”
The Innocent Lives Foundation
which Gray serves on the board of. YOU could learn a few of these techniques next month at Famous Monsters Fest. .
“There is no doubt that meeting with fans is a true highlight for me. I love hearing how my role affected them and I love telling stories. It’s a win win”.
Asked about her favorite monster in movies, Gray takes a moment.
“To be honest I think I’m a little too empathetic a person, in that life is terrifying enough, I don’t need to add to my fear factor, to have my cortisone levels shooting up through my body. It’s not my thing.. Whatever you do, don’t scare me, don’t jump out from around the corner. I’m just not built that way”.
A short time after our conversation I received a text message.
“ I just realized I do have a favorite monster. It’s King Kong. A misunderstood monster. He had a heart and he knew how to love.”
It just goes to show that even those not big on horror movies still have their favorite monsters.
Join us for Famous Monsters Fest to celebrate 65 years of monster madness. With The Osbournes, Tom Savini, Kane Hodder, Erin Grey, David Patrick Kelly plus more!
