forrest compton (september 15, 1925 – april 4, 2020) was an american actor. he is known for playing mike karr, the central character in the long-running soap opera "the edge of night" (1970–1984) and lieutenant colonel edward gray in the 1960s sitcom "gomer pyle, u.s.m.c.". his other television credits include "the troubleshooters", "the twilight zone", "77 sunset strip", "my three sons", "mayberry r.f.d.", "mannix", "hogan's heroes", "that girl", "another world", "loving", "one life to live", "as the world turns" and "ed". his movie appearances include "the outsider" (1961) and "mcbain" (1991).