Erin Gray Says She Always Felt ‘Objectified’ in ‘80s Films, Sought More In-Depth Female Lead Roles

Long before leading roles became more common for women in Hollywood, Erin Gray was carving out space in a genre dominated by men. Now, the actress is looking back at what that era demanded of her — and what it gave back in return.

Erin Gray is looking back on her early career and the narrow set of roles actresses were typically handed decades ago. The "Silver Spoons" star reflected on how women in the '80s were frequently cast in parts that kept them on the sidelines of the main story.

Gray's onscreen career began in the mid-1970s, but it was "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" that turned her into a familiar face for TV audiences after the series debuted in 1979. She played Colonel Wilma Deering, a role that left a lasting mark, going on to inspire numerous women to pursue careers in the military.

Even so, decades later, Gray, 76, opened up about how playing Wilma left her wanting to take on more substantial material. "There were very few roles for women to star in, period," Gray, 76, told Woman's World in a recent interview.

She continued, "I was always the objectified, beautiful girl who adoringly looked up at her leading man and whatever, but to be the center and to carry the story was a rare occurrence."

On the show, Gray portrayed a capable military officer who stood alongside Gil Gerard's titular Buck Rogers throughout the series. Wilma was tough and skilled in her own right, but the show ultimately revolved around its male lead, keeping her in his shadow despite the weight of her role.

Wilma finally took center stage in "Vampire in Space," the one episode Gray remembers her character being pivotal to the plot. "To be in something where I could be pivotal to that storyline was very appealing to me as an actress," she shared.

She continued, "I did one movie called Born Beautiful that I was the lead in, and it was a great experience. I wanted to do that again. I didn't want it to be all about being goo-goo eyes at the leading man kind of thing."

"I did a lot of that in the '80s, which is fine," Gray added. "I mean, I love men, so I had no problem with that. But there's something as an actor, as a talent, that you just want something you can sink your teeth into."

Gray's remarks also shed light on why the chance to play Captain Kathryn Janeway on "Star Trek: Voyager" appealed to her so much at the time, even though she ultimately didn't land the part.

Even so, Wilma's reach went far beyond anything Gray could have anticipated. She noted that the character went on to inspire women who watched the series, including some who were motivated to pursue careers in the military.

"I had a woman who was one of the highest-ranking women in the Marine Corps come up to my table and she was, like, 'You're the reason,'" she recalled. "I'm looking at this almost six-foot-tall woman going, 'Really? I inspired you?' 'Absolutely.'"

"But to know that my role did that, I did not ever think when I got the job on Buck Rogers that that would have that kind of influence. It was just a job. It was just do the best you can kind of thing," she said. "To find out 10, 15 years later the impact, it was mind-boggling to me."