Gene Anthony Ray

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.

Gene Anthony Ray
Born
Eugene Anthony Ray

(1962-05-24)May 24, 1962
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
DiedNovember 14, 2003(2003-11-14) (aged 41)
New York City, U.S.
Other namesGene Ray
OccupationActor, dancer, choreographer
Years active1980–2002
The Kids from "Fame". Gene Anthony Ray is in the back, center. Debbie Allen is center, with sunglasses on top of her head. (1983)

Early life

Born in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City on May 24, 1962,[1] Ray grew up in the area of West 153rd Street. He began performing early in life, 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 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.[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 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".[1] 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 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.[6]

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[7]), 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.[4]

Adult life

As his Telegraph obituary describes:[1]

"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."

Death

Ray died on November 14, 2003, aged 41, from complications of a stroke he had suffered in June that year.[4]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1980 Fame Leroy Johnson Motion Picture
1981 Vendredi ou la Vie sauvage Friday Television movie
Alternative title: Robinson Crusoe and Man Friday
1982–1987 Fame Leroy Johnson Television series - 116 episodes
1995 Out of Sync Crash
1996 Eddie Dancer Associate choreographer
1997 The Drew Carey Show Dancer 1 episode
2002 Austin Powers in Goldmember Dancer Uncredited (final film role)

See also

References
  1. "Obituary: Gene Anthony Ray". The Telegraph. November 20, 2003.
  2. Wloszczyna, Susan (September 22, 2009). "The 'Fame' gang: Gene Anthony Ray". USA Today.
  3. Byrne, Bridget (November 19, 2003). "Fame's "Leroy" Dies". E! News. Retrieved 2006-05-19.
  4. Baltrip, Kimetris N. (November 19, 2003). "Obituary: Gene Anthony Ray, 41, A Dancer in Fame". The New York Times.
  5. "The Kids from Fame Live in the U.K." Fame Episode Guide 5.
  6. "Carrie". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  7. "Full cast and crew: other crew". IMDb.
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