Let me tell you something about Erin Gray. For the past four decades, she’s been this quiet force of nature who’s been saving the universe, one role at a time. Sure, you might remember her as Kate Summers-Stratton on the classic ‘80s sitcom Silver Spoons—a show that’s now part of the Antenna TV lineup. But let’s be real, it’s her role as Colonel Wilma Deering in the iconic 1979 sci-fi series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (streaming on the MeTV Network) that really cemented her as a sci-fi legend. And guess what? Her recent appearance on the CW’s Pandora feels like a throwback to those glory days. So, when she answers her phone with “Heroes for Hire,” it’s no surprise that fans are still captivated by her larger-than-life presence.
Now, before anyone thinks Erin’s lost her mind and is running around California dressed as Wilma Deering with a fake blaster, let me set the record straight. She’s not chasing alien evildoers anymore—at least not in the literal sense. Instead, she’s the CEO of Heroes for Hire, a company that books actors and actresses for comic book conventions and events all over the globe. It’s like she’s taken her hero persona off-screen and turned it into a thriving business. Pretty impressive, right?
“You know, I chose the name Heroes for Hire because I wanted something fun and whimsical,” Erin, 69, explains with a laugh. “I didn’t want to take myself too seriously. After all, we’re talking about comic books and conventions here. It’s a world where imagination runs wild, and I wanted the name to reflect that. But trust me, running a business is no joke. It’s hard work, and I’ve had to learn a lot along the way.”
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The Journey from Actress to CEO
So, how does a successful actress make the leap to becoming a CEO? Erin’s story is as inspiring as it is unexpected. “Life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect it,” she says. “For me, it was divorce. When I got divorced from my first husband, I discovered that I was broke—completely broke. It was a rude awakening, let me tell you. I had to sit down and ask myself, ‘What am I qualified to do?’ And the answer was…nothing. I started modeling at 15, then moved into television commercials, and eventually acting. That was my entire career. So, I had to figure out a way to reinvent myself.”
Erin continues, “At one point, I even went to an employment agency to see if they could help me find a job. But they didn’t know what to do with me either. I mean, how do you explain to someone that you’ve been a model and actress your entire life? It was humbling, but it also motivated me. I wanted to keep my daughter in private school and maintain the lifestyle we had. So, I had to get creative. That’s when the idea for Heroes for Hire was born. It started small, but it’s grown into this amazing opportunity to connect fans with their favorite actors and actresses.”
Exclusive Insights from Erin Gray
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