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Gene Anthony Ray

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Cause of death
  
Role
  
Other names
  
Gene Ray

Parents
  
Jean E. Ray

Years active
  
1980–2002

Name
  
Gene Ray


Gene Anthony Ray Kids From Fame Media Spanish Book Gene Anthony Ray

Full Name
  
Eugene Anthony Ray

Born
  
May 24, 1962 (
1962-05-24
)
Harlem, New York, U.S.

Occupation
  
Albums
  
The Kids From Fame Live, The Kids From Fame, The Kids From Fame Sing For You

Education
  
Julia Richman High School, High School of Performing Arts

Similar People
  
Valerie Landsburg, Lee Curreri, Erica Gimpel, Debbie Allen, Irene Cara

Movies and TV shows
  
Fame, New York Hot Tracks


Died
  
November 14, 2003 (aged 41) New York City, U.S.

Gene Anthony Ray (May 24, 1962 – November 14, 2003) was an American actor, dancer, and choreographer. He was known for his portrayal of dancer Leroy Johnson in both the 1980 film Fame and the 1982–1987 Fame television series based upon the film.

Contents

Gene Anthony Ray Kids From Fame Media Gene Anthony Ray loving Magazine

Gene Anthony Ray - Fame Reunion 2003


Remember Gene Anthony Ray From Fame This is What Happened To Him


Early life

Gene Anthony Ray Black Kudos Gene Anthony Ray Gene Anthony Ray May 24

Born in Harlem, New York, on May 24, 1962, Ray grew up in the neighborhood of West 153rd Street. He began performing early in life, street dancing at block parties. He performed in a dance class at the Julia Richman High School; he skipped school one day to audition for Fame choreographer, Louis Falco.

Gene Anthony Ray Gene Anthony Ray Fame Pinterest

Ray attended the New York High School of the Performing Arts, the inspiration for the film Fame, but was kicked out after one year. "It was too disciplined for this wild child of mine," Ray's mother, Jean E. Ray, said.

Career

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Ray won the part of Leroy Johnson in the film Fame, which was released in 1980. Much like his Fame character, Ray had little professional training, but he possessed a raw talent that won him his role for the film. Reports USA Today: "Alan (Parker, the director) had to approach him very carefully. His mom was dealing drugs during the filming. It was not pretty."

Gene Anthony Ray Gene Anthony Ray Actor Pics Videos Dating amp News

In 1981, Ray starred as Friday, alongside Michael York as Robinson Crusoe, in the 1981 TV adventure-comedy Vendredi ou la Vie sauvage (alternative title: Robinson Crusoe and Man Friday).

Ray also starred in television series based on the film, Fame. The series was produced by MGM Television from 1982 to 1987, and syndicated from 1983 to 1987.

Also in 1982, Ray danced in The Weather Girls' music video for "Well-A-Wiggy". Additionally, he began touring the U.K. with the other members of the Fame cast as The Kids from "Fame"; they performed at 10 venues, including a sell out performance at Royal Albert Hall.

In 1984, USA Today reports: "Ray was axed from the show after his mother was jailed for running a drug ring, and he failed to turn up for work 100 times." He struggled with addictions to alcohol and drugs, and worked only intermittently once the TV series ended.

In 1987, he won the role of Billy Nolan in the ill-fated musical adaptation of Carrie by Stephen King. Ray played the role in the original opening in Stratford-Upon-Avon, which closed after less than a month. He then transferred to Broadway and continued to play the role until the musical closed after only 21 public performances.

Ray also appeared in the 1995 film Out-of-Sync, which was directed by his Fame co-star Debbie Allen, in the 1996 Whoopi Goldberg comedy Eddie (for which he was also credited as associate choreographer), as well as in commercials for Dr Pepper and Diet Coke.

His last video project was a one-hour BBC Fame reunion documentary, Fame Remember My Name, taped in Los Angeles in April 2003.

Adult life

As his Telegraph obituary describes:

"Ray remained a 'frantic partygoer' with a self-confessed weakness for drink and drugs. As his life fell apart, he slept on park benches, and during a failed attempt to launch a Fame-style dance school in Milan, shared a flat there with a porn actress. In 1996 he was diagnosed HIV positive. He suffered a stroke in 2003."Flamboyantly camp, he brushed aside questions about his sexuality. He never married."

In 2001 Marco Papa, an Italian artist, tried to trace Gene Anthony Ray to involve him in his art project Dancing on the Verge, a research between success and failure. The result of their professional and human relationship is a poignant story, documented by drawings, sculptures, installations video and multimedia performances, and collected in the book entitled Dancing on the Verge, published by Charta, which testifies to their path until the death of Ray.

Death

Ray died on November 14, 2003, aged 41, from complications of a stroke he had suffered in June that year.

Filmography

Actor
2002
Austin Powers in Goldmember as
Dancer (uncredited)
1999
Linc's (TV Series) as
Gene Anthony Ray
- Real Time (1999) - Gene Anthony Ray
1996
The Drew Carey Show (TV Series) as
Dancer
- New York and Queens (1997) - Dancer
- Drew's the Other Man (1996) - Dancer
1996
Eddie as
Dancer
1995
Out-of-Sync as
Crash
1982
Fame (TV Series) as
Leroy Johnson / Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come / The Scarecrow
- Baby, Remember My Name (1987) - Leroy Johnson
- Alice Doesn't Work Here Anymore (1987) - Leroy Johnson
- Of Cabbages and Kings (1987) - Leroy Johnson
- Reggie and Rose (1987) - Leroy Johnson
- The Lounge Singer Who Knew Too Much (1987) - Leroy Johnson
- Best Buddies (1987) - Leroy Johnson
- Ian's Girl (1987) - Leroy Johnson
- That Was the Weekend That Was (1987) - Leroy Johnson
- Stradi-Various (1987) - Leroy Johnson
- The Big Contract (1987) - Leroy Johnson
- Pros and Cons (1987) - Leroy Johnson
- The Crimson Blade (1987) - Leroy Johnson
- Love Kittens Go to High School (1987) - Leroy Johnson
- Go Softly Into Morning (1987) - Leroy Johnson
- Fame and Fortune (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- All I Want for Christmas (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- Mr Wacky's World (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- A Different Drummer (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- Hold That Baby (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- All Talking, All Singing, All Dancing (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- Judgement Day (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- New Faces (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- The Last Dance (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- Back to Something New (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- The Incident (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- Losin' It (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- To Tilt at Windmills (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- Contacts (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- W.S.O.A. (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- Self Defense (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- Stagefright (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- The Comedian (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- The Inheritance (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- Double Exposure (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- Holmes Sweet Holmes (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- Such Good Friends (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- A River to Cross (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- The First Time (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- Choices (1986) - Leroy Johnson
- Ebenezer Morloch (1985) - Leroy Johnson / Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come
- Broadway Danny Amatullo (1985) - Leroy Johnson
- His Majesty Donlon (1985) - Leroy Johnson
- Savage Streets (1985) - Leroy Johnson
- White Light (1985) - Leroy Johnson
- Selling Out (1985) - Leroy Johnson
- Bronco Bob Rides Again (1985) - Leroy Johnson
- Leroy and the Kid (1985) - Leroy Johnson
- A Place to Belong (1985) - Leroy Johnson
- School Is Out (1985) - Leroy Johnson
- The Ol' Ball Game (1985) - Leroy Johnson
- Who Am I, Really? (1985) - Leroy Johnson
- Reflections (1985) - Leroy Johnson
- Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? (1985) - Leroy Johnson
- Wishes (1985) - Leroy Johnson
- Coco Returns (1985) - Leroy Johnson
- Team Work (1985) - Leroy Johnson
- Danny De Bergerac (1985) - Leroy Johnson (credit only)
- Parent's Week (1985) - Leroy Johnson (credit only)
- Take My Wife- Please (1985) - Leroy Johnson
- Tomorrow's Children (1985) - Leroy Johnson
- Dreams (1985) - Leroy Johnson (credit only)
- The Rivalry (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- The Ballad of Ray Claxton (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- The Return of Doctor Scorpio (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- The Monster That Devoured Las Vegas (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- Blizzard (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- Nothing Personal (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- I Never Danced for My Father (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- Spontaneous Combustion (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- Czech-Mate (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- Indian Summer (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- The Home Front (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- Heritage (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- Signs (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- Home Again (1984) - Leroy Johnson (credit only)
- The Deal (1984) - Leroy Johnson (credit only)
- A Friend in Need (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- Catch a Falling Star (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- Sheer Will (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- Stages (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- A Way of Winning (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- Lisa's Song (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- Bottle of Blues (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- Appearances (1984) - Leroy Johnson
- Equals (1984) - Leroy Johnson (credit only)
- Secrets (1984) - Leroy Johnson (credit only)
- Break Dance (1983) - Leroy Johnson
- Consequences (1983) - Leroy Johnson
- Rules (1983) - Leroy Johnson
- Knockout (1983) - Leroy Johnson
- Hail to the Chief (1983) - Leroy Johnson
- Gonna Learn How to Fly: Part 2 (1983) - Leroy Johnson
- Gonna Learn How to Fly: Part 1 (1983) - Leroy Johnson
- U.N. Week (1983) - Leroy Johnson
- Ending on a High Note (1983) - Leroy Johnson
- -Help from My Friends (1983) - Leroy Johnson
- Not in Kansas Anymore (1983) - Leroy Johnson / The Scarecrow
- Friendship Day (1983) - Leroy Johnson
- Blood, Sweat and Circuits (1983) - Leroy Johnson
- Love Is the Question (1983) - Leroy Johnson
- Sunshine Again (1983) - Leroy Johnson
- Star Quality (1983) - Leroy Johnson
- Relationships (1983) - Leroy Johnson
- A Tough Act to Follow (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- Homecoming (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- Childhood's End (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- Words (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- Winners (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- Solo Song (1982) - Leroy Johnson (credit only)
- Beginnings (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- Teachers (1982) - Leroy Johnson (credit only)
- Class Act (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- Feelings (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- Your Own Song (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- And the Winner Is-. (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- A Special Place (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- Reunions (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- A Big Finish (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- A Musical Bridge (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- Exposé (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- The Crazies (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- Come One, Come All (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- But Seriously Folks (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- Street Kid (1982) - Leroy Johnson (credit only)
- The Strike (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- The Sell-Out (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- To Soar and Never Falter (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- Alone in a Crowd (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- Tomorrow's Farewell (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- Passing Grade (1982) - Leroy Johnson
- Metamorphosis (1982) - Leroy Johnson
1985
The Weather Girls: Well-A-Wiggy (Music Video) as
Gene Anthony Ray
1983
Vendredi ou la vie sauvage (TV Movie) as
Friday
1980
Fame as
Leroy
Miscellaneous
1996
Eddie (associate choreographer)
Soundtrack
1982
Fame (TV Series) (performer - 47 episodes)
- Best Buddies (1987) - (performer: "Think Big")
- All I Want for Christmas (1986) - (performer: "I Know The Way To Celebrate")
- Losin' It (1986) - (performer: "Man In The Mirror")
- Contacts (1986) - (performer: "Three Cool Cats")
- Such Good Friends (1986) - (performer: "Love's a Journey")
- A River to Cross (1986) - (performer: "Free At Last")
- Choices (1986) - (performer: "Your Love Has Been So Good To Me")
- His Majesty Donlon (1985) - (performer: "One Dream")
- Leroy and the Kid (1985) - (performer: "Everybodys Got A Road To Go Down")
- The Ol' Ball Game (1985) - (performer: "Scorn")
- Wishes (1985) - (performer: "It's a Long Shot")
- The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll II (1985) - (performer: "Kids in America", "Infatuation", "Standing in the Shadows of Love", "I Heard It through the Grapevine", "Wipe Out", "Fingertips", "Fame")
- Tomorrow's Children (1985) - (performer: "The War Song", "The Flesh Failures / Let The Sunshine In" (uncredited))
- The Rivalry (1984) - (performer: "That's Dancin'")
- The Ballad of Ray Claxton (1984) - (performer: "Looking Over My Shoulder")
- The Monster That Devoured Las Vegas (1984) - (performer: "The Monster That Devoured Las Vegas")
- Blizzard (1984) - (performer: "Somebody Must Be Grinning Down On Me")
- The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll (1984) - (performer: "The Heart Of Rock 'n' Roll", "Get a Job", "Rock 'n' Roll Is Here To Stay", "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", "Come Together", "The End")
- I Never Danced for My Father (1984) - (performer: "We Stand")
- Signs (1984) - (performer: "We're All the Same")
- Catch a Falling Star (1984) - (performer: "Whatever Happened to the Heroes", "In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town")
- Sheer Will (1984) - (performer: "It's In Everyone Of Us")
- A Way of Winning (1984) - (performer: "That Dream")
- Lisa's Song (1984) - (performer: "Rock 'n Roll World")
- Bottle of Blues (1984) - (performer: "Old Girlfriends")
- Appearances (1984) - (performer: "Drive Me Wild" - uncredited)
- Fame Looks at Music '83 (1984) - ("Never Gonna Let You Go", uncredited) / (performer: "Electric Avenue" (uncredited), "All Night Long" (uncredited), "Cold Blooded", "You Are The Sun, You Are The Rain" (uncredited))
- Rules (1983) - (performer: "The Best In You And Me")
- Knockout (1983) - (performer: "I Know I Can", "I Can't Stand Up Alone")
- Fame on Tour: Happy Birthday Israel (1983) - (performer: "Higher Ground", "Lay Back And Be Cool", "Starmaker", "The Secret", "Be My Music" - uncredited)
- Hail to the Chief (1983) - (performer: "Makin' It")
- The Kids from Fame in Concert (1983) - (performer: "Mannequin" (uncredited), "Desdemona", "Starmaker" (uncredited), "We Got The Power" (uncredited))
- Not in Kansas Anymore (1983) - (performer: "We're Off to See the Wizard", "If I Only Had a Brain")
- Friendship Day (1983) - (performer: "Better With A Friend")
- Star Quality (1983) - (performer: "Singin' In The Rain")
- Childhood's End (1982) - (performer: "Reach For A Dream")
- Words (1982) - (performer: "Sing For You America")
- Beginnings (1982) - (performer: "I Heard It Through The Grapvine")
- Feelings (1982) - (performer: "Lay Back And Be Cool")
- A Special Place (1982) - (performer: "Starmaker")
- Reunions (1982) - (performer: "Hope")
- A Big Finish (1982) - (performer: "You're The Real Music")
- Exposé (1982) - (performer: "Mannequin")
- But Seriously Folks (1982) - (performer: "Step Up To The Mike")
- The Strike (1982) - (performer: "Starmaker", "Desdemona")
- Alone in a Crowd (1982) - (performer: "We Got The Power")
- Tomorrow's Farewell (1982) - (performer: "Come What May")
Self
2000
VH-1 Where Are They Now? (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Music Movie Stars (2000) - Self
1998
Intimate Portrait (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Debbie Allen (1998) - Self
1990
Raffaella Venerdì, Sabato e Domenica... E saranno famosi (TV Series) as
Self
1988
Win, Lose or Draw (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 12 September 1988 (1988) - Self
1987
The New Hollywood Squares (TV Series) as
Self - Panelist
- Episode dated 28 January 1987 (1987) - Self - Panelist (as Fame Kids)
- Episode dated 27 January 1987 (1987) - Self - Panelist (as Fame Kids)
- Episode dated 26 January 1987 (1987) - Self - Panelist (as Fame Kids)
1983
Fame (TV Series) as
Self
- The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll II (1985) - Self
- The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll (1984) - Self
- Fame Looks at Music '83 (1984) - Self
- Fame on Tour: Happy Birthday Israel (1983) - Self
- The Kids from Fame in Concert (1983) - Self
1983
Live... And in Person (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.1 (1983) - Self
1983
New York Hot Tracks (TV Series) as
Self - Host (1989)
1983
Top of the Pops (TV Series) as
Self - Studio Guest
- Episode #20.14 (1983) - Self - Studio Guest
1983
The Kids from Fame: From the Royal Albert Hall London (TV Movie documentary) as
Self
1980
On Location with: FAME (Documentary short) as
Self - 'Leroy' (as Gene Ray)
1980
The Toni Tennille Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.17 (1980) - Self
1980
The Mike Douglas Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #20.29 (1980) - Self
Archive Footage
2022
Entertainment Tonight (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #41.108 (2022) - Self
2020
Wait in the Wings (TV Series documentary) as
Billy Nolan / Leroy Johnson
- Carrie the Musical: The Polarizing Phenomenon (2020) - Billy Nolan
- Fame (1980): A Musical Revolution? (2020) - Leroy Johnson
2006
La imagen de tu vida (TV Series) as
Leroy Johnson
- Episode #1.3 (2006) - Leroy Johnson
2004
10th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (TV Special) as
Self - In Memoriam
1983
Style Wars (TV Movie documentary) as
Self

References

Gene Anthony Ray Wikipedia


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