Cast & creator
Billy Gray
Best known for The Ed Sullivan Show, Father Knows Best, That Girl
Billy Gray (born January 13, 1938) is an American actor best known for his role as Bud Anderson on the classic television sitcom *Father Knows Best* (1954–1960). His career spans both film and television, and he became a prominent figure in 1950s and 1960s American entertainment. Billy Gray was born in Los Angeles, California. He began his acting career at a young age, appearing in commercials and small roles on television. His early experiences in the entertainment industry led to more significant roles in both film and television. Gray’s big break came when he was cast as Bud Anderson, the teenage son of Jim and Margaret Anderson, on *Father Knows Best*. The show, which ran for six seasons, was a family-oriented sitcom that became one of the most beloved TV shows of its time. As Bud, Gray portrayed the typical all-American teen of the 1950s, and his performance made him a household name. His portrayal of the character earned him recognition and a lasting place in the hearts of TV viewers. In addition to his work on *Father Knows Best*, Billy Gray appeared in a variety of other television series and films. His film career included roles in movies such as *The Day the Earth Stood Still* (1951), *Kiss Me Deadly* (1955), and *The Lone Ranger* (1956). He also appeared in several TV dramas and variety shows, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Following the end of *Father Knows Best* in 1960, Gray’s acting career slowed down. While he appeared in occasional roles on TV shows and films, he transitioned into a variety of other professions, including running a successful business. Billy Gray's personal life was relatively low-key. He had a passion for motorcycles and racing, which he pursued after his acting career began to wind down. Gray also became involved in the antique business, eventually opening his own store specializing in rare and collectible items. As of now, Billy Gray is still alive and living a quiet life, away from the public eye. He occasionally makes appearances at fan conventions and has expressed gratitude for his time on *Father Knows Best* and his place in TV history.
Also known as: William Thomas Gray, Billie Gray, Bill Gray, William Gray
54
film credits
11
television credits
65
1943–2021 · acting roles
6.4
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (65)
Showing 65 of 65 credits
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self
1948
Father Knows Best
Bud Anderson
1954
That Girl
1966
Adventures of Superman
Alan Harper
1952
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Perry Hatch
1955
The Gene Autry Show
Eddie Baker
1950The Gene Autry Show
Jimmy Foster
1950
Racket Squad
1951
Arrest and Trial
Colin Martin
1963The Greatest Show on Earth
Nick
1963
Stagecoach West
Frankie Niles
1960
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Bobby Benson
1951
In a Lonely Place
Young Boy Seeking Autograph (uncredited)
1950
The Outlaw Stallion
Danny Saunders
1954
The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry
1945
The Strange Woman
Boy on Bridge (uncredited)
1946
Two for the Seesaw
Monsieur Jacoby
1962
Lust for Gold
Boy
1949
Hollywood in the Atomic Age: Monsters! Martians! Mad Scientists!
Self
2021
The Seven Little Foys
Bryan Lincoln Foy
1955
Love and Bullets
Officer Durant
1979
To Each His Own
Billy Ingham
1946
The Killer That Stalked New York
Pinkie (uncredited)
1950
Between Midnight and Dawn
Peter J. 'Petey' Conklin (uncredited)
1950
Mister 880
Mickey (uncredited)
1950
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff
Boy With Bow and Arrow (uncredited)
1949
Cluny Brown
Richard Watkins
1946
The Judge Steps Out
Boy at Birthday Party (uncredited)
1947
On Moonlight Bay
Wesley Winfield
1951
The Girl Next Door
Joe Carter
1953
Specter of the Rose
Jack Jones
1946
The Good Humor Man
Junior (uncredited)
1950
The Navy vs. the Night Monsters
CPO Fred Twining
1966
The Father Knows Best Reunion
James Anderson Jr.
1977
The Gangster
Little Boy (uncredited)
1947
The Scarlet Hour
Tom Rycker
1956
Dusty and Sweets McGee
City Life
1971
By the Light of the Silvery Moon
Wesley Winfield
1953
Father Knows Best: Home for Christmas
Bud Anderson
1977
Father Is a Bachelor
Feb Chalotte
1950
Talk About a Stranger
Robert 'Bud' Fontaine Jr.
1952
Gene Autry and the Mounties
Ned (uncredited)
1951
The House Across the Street
Boy (uncredited)
1949
All I Desire
Ted Murdoch
1953
Making The Earth Stand Still
Self
2001
Suspense
Small Boy at Zoo (uncredited)
1946
Singing Guns
1950
The Vampyre Wars
Majordomo
1996
Her First Romance
Boy at Camp Barracks (uncredited)
1951
Adventures of Rusty
Harry (uncredited)
1945The Ping-Pong Match
Ping Pong Player
1968
Backlash
Denny
1947So You Want to Be a Cowboy
Little Boy Movie Patron with Lollipop
1951
The Guy Who Came Back
Willy Joplin
1951A Present with a Future
Billy (uncredited)
1943
Parlor, Bedroom and Wrath
1948
Fighting Father Dunne
Chip
1948
Kill the Umpire
Boy Playing Baseball (uncredited)
1950
Abandoned
Tough Kid in Park (uncredited)
1949
Porklips Now
Dullard
1980
Our Old Car
Boy (uncredited)
1946
Curley
Sandy
1947
Werewolves on Wheels
Pill
1971
Rendezvous with Annie
Little Boy (uncredited)
1946
Sierra Passage
Young Johnny Yorke
1950