[1] He later travelled more widely, and was a member of a group called Non-Violent Action in Vietnam that went to South East Asia to oppose the American War there in 1967/68.
As an actor, he performed the part of Joe Malik in Ken Campbell's epic adaptation of Illuminatus in Liverpool and Amsterdam.
The play transferred to the National Theatre, London, where Gray dropped out for personal reasons and his role was taken over by Bill Nighy.
Gray has been highly praised by other authors and critics, including Kurt Vonnegut, John Berger, Malcolm Bradbury, and Edward Bond.
[12] He is a supporter of a number of causes including the campaign to free bears from bile farms in Asia, (for which he wrote and financed the publication of a children's picture book); and an educational charity in southern Africa (for which he produced 24 storybooks).