When audiences tuned into Father Knows Best, they saw the picture of an ideal American family. However, for Billy Gray, who played Bud Anderson, life behind the cameras was far more complicated, according to a recent interview with That’s Classic! YouTube Channel. In a candid conversation, Gray opened up about the highs and lows of his time on the show, from being shorted on pay to the lasting friendships that helped him through.

Gray had been acting since he was five, gradually building his salary up to $500 a week, which would be equivalent to almost $5,500 today. When Father Knows Best launched, the producers pitched a plan to shoot two episodes in a week, offering $250 per episode. His mother agreed, assuming the pace could be maintained, but the schedule quickly fell apart. Once they reverted to filming a single episode per week, Gray’s pay effectively dropped in half.