Gene Anthony Ray: Difference between revisions
→Filmography: Added content |
imported>Smasongarrison Removing from Category:20th-century African-American people Diffusing per WP:DIFFUSE and/or WP:ALLINCLUDED using Cat-a-lot |
||
| Line 26: | Line 26: | ||
Ray won the part of Leroy Johnson in the film ''[[Fame (1980 film)|Fame]]'', which was released in 1980.<ref name="Obituary: Gene Anthony Ray"/> Much like his ''Fame'' character, Ray had little professional training, but he possessed a raw talent that won him his role for the film.<ref name=genearay /> 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."<ref name="Wloszczyna, Susan"/> In 1981, Ray starred as [[Friday (Robinson Crusoe)|Friday]], alongside [[Michael York (actor)|Michael York]] as [[Robinson Crusoe]], in the 1981 TV adventure-comedy ''{{Interlanguage link|Vendredi ou la Vie sauvage|fr|3=Vendredi ou la Vie sauvage (téléfilm)}}'' (alternative title: ''Robinson Crusoe and Man Friday''). | Ray won the part of Leroy Johnson in the film ''[[Fame (1980 film)|Fame]]'', which was released in 1980.<ref name="Obituary: Gene Anthony Ray"/> Much like his ''Fame'' character, Ray had little professional training, but he possessed a raw talent that won him his role for the film.<ref name=genearay /> 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."<ref name="Wloszczyna, Susan"/> In 1981, Ray starred as [[Friday (Robinson Crusoe)|Friday]], alongside [[Michael York (actor)|Michael York]] as [[Robinson Crusoe]], in the 1981 TV adventure-comedy ''{{Interlanguage link|Vendredi ou la Vie sauvage|fr|3=Vendredi ou la Vie sauvage (téléfilm)}}'' (alternative title: ''Robinson Crusoe and Man Friday''). | ||
Ray also starred in the [[Fame (1982 TV series)|television series based on the film, ''Fame'']]. The series was produced by [[MGM Television]] from 1982 to 1987, and syndicated from 1983 to 1987. 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]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sites.google.com/site/fameepisodeguide5/the-kids-from-fame-live-in-the-u-k|title=The Kids from Fame Live in the U.K.|journal=Fame Episode Guide 5}}</ref> 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."<ref name="Obituary: Gene Anthony Ray" /> He struggled with addictions to alcohol and drugs, and worked only intermittently once the TV series ended.<ref name="Wloszczyna, Susan" /> In 1985, Ray danced in [[The Weather Girls]]' music video for "Well-A-Wiggy".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.discogs.com/es/master/104491-The-Weather-Girls-Well-A-Wiggy | title=The Weather Girls - Well-A-Wiggy | website=[[Discogs]] | year=1985 }}</ref> | Ray also starred in the [[Fame (1982 TV series)|television series based on the film, ''Fame'']]. The series was produced by [[MGM Television]] from 1982 to 1987, and syndicated from 1983 to 1987. 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]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sites.google.com/site/fameepisodeguide5/the-kids-from-fame-live-in-the-u-k|title=The Kids from Fame Live in the U.K.|journal=Fame Episode Guide 5|archive-date=2013-11-10|access-date=2013-03-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110180441/https://sites.google.com/site/fameepisodeguide5/the-kids-from-fame-live-in-the-u-k|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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."<ref name="Obituary: Gene Anthony Ray" /> He struggled with addictions to alcohol and drugs, and worked only intermittently once the TV series ended.<ref name="Wloszczyna, Susan" /> In 1985, Ray danced in [[The Weather Girls]]' music video for "Well-A-Wiggy".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.discogs.com/es/master/104491-The-Weather-Girls-Well-A-Wiggy | title=The Weather Girls - Well-A-Wiggy | website=[[Discogs]] | year=1985 }}</ref> | ||
In 1987, he won the role of Billy Nolan in the ill-fated [[Carrie (musical)|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 theatre|Broadway]] and continued to play the role until the musical closed after only 21 public performances.<ref>{{cite web|title=Carrie|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-show/carrie-2421|website=Internet Broadway Database|accessdate=December 13, 2016}}</ref> 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 (film)|Eddie]]'' (for which he was also credited as associate choreographer<ref>{{cite news|journal=IMDb|title=Full cast and crew: other crew|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116168/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast}}</ref>), as well as in commercials for [[Dr Pepper]] and [[Diet Coke]]. His last video appearance was a one-hour BBC ''Fame'' reunion documentary, ''Fame Remember My Name,'' taped in [[Los Angeles]] in April 2003.<ref name="Baltrip, Kimetris N"/> | In 1987, he won the role of Billy Nolan in the ill-fated [[Carrie (musical)|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 theatre|Broadway]] and continued to play the role until the musical closed after only 21 public performances.<ref>{{cite web|title=Carrie|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-show/carrie-2421|website=Internet Broadway Database|accessdate=December 13, 2016}}</ref> 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 (film)|Eddie]]'' (for which he was also credited as associate choreographer<ref>{{cite news|journal=IMDb|title=Full cast and crew: other crew|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116168/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast}}</ref>), as well as in commercials for [[Dr Pepper]] and [[Diet Coke]]. His last video appearance was a one-hour BBC ''Fame'' reunion documentary, ''Fame Remember My Name,'' taped in [[Los Angeles]] in April 2003.<ref name="Baltrip, Kimetris N"/> | ||
| Line 32: | Line 32: | ||
===Personal life and death=== | ===Personal life and death=== | ||
As described in his ''Telegraph'' obituary,<ref name="Obituary: Gene Anthony Ray" /> | As described in his ''Telegraph'' obituary,<ref name="Obituary: Gene Anthony Ray" /> | ||
Ray "remained a 'frantic partygoer' with a self-confessed weakness for | Ray "remained a 'frantic partygoer' with a self-confessed weakness for drinking 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/AIDS|HIV]] positive. Flamboyantly [[Camp (style)|camp]], he brushed aside questions about his sexuality. He never married. | ||
Ray died on November 14, 2003, aged 41, from complications of a stroke he had suffered in June that year and complications from AIDS.<ref name="Baltrip, Kimetris N"/> | Ray died on November 14, 2003, aged 41, from complications of a stroke he had suffered in June that year and complications from AIDS.<ref name="Baltrip, Kimetris N"/> | ||
| Line 57: | Line 57: | ||
| ''[[Fame (1982 TV series)|Fame]]'' | | ''[[Fame (1982 TV series)|Fame]]'' | ||
| Leroy Johnson | | Leroy Johnson | ||
| Television series | | Television series — 116 episodes | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1995 | | 1995 | ||
| ''[[Out-of-Sync]]'' | | ''[[Out-of-Sync]]'' | ||
| Crash | | Crash | ||
|1995 | | | ||
|- | |||
| 1995 | |||
| [[Article 99]] | |||
| Police Officer | |||
| Uncredited | |||
|- | |- | ||
| 1996 | | 1996 | ||
| Line 130: | Line 133: | ||
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]] | [[Category:20th-century American male actors]] | ||
[[Category:Julia Richman Education Complex alumni]] | [[Category:Julia Richman Education Complex alumni]] | ||
[[Category:21st-century African-American people]] | [[Category:21st-century African-American people]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:35, 19 October 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Template:Wikidata image
_(l),_Debbie_Allen_(m)_en,_Bestanddeelnr_932-5469.jpg){kind=link}
Gene Anthony Ray (May 24, 1962 – November 14, 2003) was an American actor, dancer, and choreographer. A native of New York City, Ray was best known for his portrayal of dancer Leroy Johnson in both the 1980 film Fame and the Fame television series based upon the film which originally aired from 1982 until 1987.
Biography
Early life
Born in New York City, in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan on May 24, 1962,[1] Ray grew up in the area of West 153rd Street and later became involved in street dancing[1] at block parties.[2] He performed in a dance class at the Julia Richman High School. He skipped school one day to audition for Fame choreographer Louis Falco.[3][4] Ray attended the High School of Performing Arts, the inspiration for the film Fame, but was kicked out after just one year. "It was too disciplined for this wild child of mine," Ray's mother, Jean E. Ray, would later say.[3]
Career
Ray won the part of Leroy Johnson in the film Fame, which was released in 1980.[1] Much like his Fame character, Ray had little professional training, but he possessed a raw talent that won him his role for the film.[3] 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."[2] In 1981, Ray starred as Friday, alongside Michael York as Robinson Crusoe, in the 1981 TV adventure-comedy Template:Interlanguage link (alternative title: Robinson Crusoe and Man Friday).
Ray also starred in the television series based on the film, Fame. The series was produced by MGM Television from 1982 to 1987, and syndicated from 1983 to 1987. 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.[5] 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."[1] He struggled with addictions to alcohol and drugs, and worked only intermittently once the TV series ended.[2] In 1985, Ray danced in The Weather Girls' music video for "Well-A-Wiggy".[6]
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.[7] 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[8]), as well as in commercials for Dr Pepper and Diet Coke. His last video appearance was a one-hour BBC Fame reunion documentary, Fame Remember My Name, taped in Los Angeles in April 2003.[4]
Personal life and death
As described in his Telegraph obituary,[1] Ray "remained a 'frantic partygoer' with a self-confessed weakness for drinking 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. Flamboyantly camp, he brushed aside questions about his sexuality. He never married.
Ray died on November 14, 2003, aged 41, from complications of a stroke he had suffered in June that year and complications from AIDS.[4]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Fame | Leroy Johnson | Motion Picture |
| 1981 | Template:Interlanguage link | Friday | Television movie Alternative title: Robinson Crusoe and Man Friday |
| 1982–1987 | Fame | Leroy Johnson | Television series — 116 episodes |
| 1995 | Out-of-Sync | Crash | |
| 1995 | Article 99 | Police Officer | Uncredited |
| 1996 | Eddie | Dancer | Associate choreographer |
| 1997 | The Drew Carey Show | Dancer | 1 episode |
| 2002 | Austin Powers in Goldmember | Dancer | Uncredited (final film role) |
Theater
| Year | Production | Role | Theatre |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Carrie | Billy Nolan | Royal Shakespeare Theatre (tryout)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| Virginia Theatre, Broadway |
See also
Script error: No such module "Portal".
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ a b c d e Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
External links
- Template:Trim/ Template:PAGENAMEBASE at IMDbTemplate:EditAtWikidataScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- Gene Anthony Ray Tribute Template:Webarchive
- Pages with script errors
- Pages with broken file links
- 1962 births
- 2003 deaths
- Male actors from Manhattan
- African-American male dancers
- African-American dancers
- American male dancers
- American male film actors
- American choreographers
- People with HIV/AIDS
- People from Harlem
- American male television actors
- Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School alumni
- Dancers from New York (state)
- 20th-century American dancers
- 20th-century African-American male actors
- 20th-century American male actors
- Julia Richman Education Complex alumni
- 21st-century African-American people