Gene Anthony Ray
Encyclopedia
Gene Anthony Ray was an American
actor
, dance
r, and choreographer
. He was best 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.
, New York
, Ray grew up in the neighborhood of West 153rd Street. He 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. Ray also studied dance at the Julia Richman High School
, where he would audition for Fame choreographer, Louis Falco. Much like his Fame character, Ray had little professional training, but a raw talent that won him his role for the film.
Fame was syndicated by MGM Television
from 1983 to 1987. 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 five public performances.
Ray also appeared in the 1995 film Out Of Sync, which was directed by his Fame co-star Debbie Allen
, and the 1996 Whoopi Goldberg
comedy Eddie
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
r, and choreographer
Choreography
Choreography is the art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. Choreography may also refer to the design itself, which is sometimes expressed by means of dance notation. The word choreography literally means "dance-writing" from the Greek words "χορεία" ...
. He was best known for his portrayal of dancer Leroy Johnson in both the 1980
1980 in film
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film Fame and the 1982–1987 Fame television series
Fame (1982 TV series)
Fame is an American television series originally produced between 1982 and 1987. The show was based on the 1980 motion picture of the same name. Using a mixture of drama and music, it followed the lives of the students and faculty at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Although...
based upon the film.
Early life and career
Born in HarlemHarlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Ray grew up in the neighborhood of West 153rd Street. He attended the New York High School of the Performing Arts
High School of Performing Arts
The High School of Performing Arts, more formally known as The School of Performing Arts: A Division of the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, informally known as "PA", was a public alternative high school in New York, New York, USA that existed from 1948 through...
, 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. Ray also studied dance at the Julia Richman High School
Julia Richman High School
Julia Richman High School is a defunct comprehensive high school in Manhattan, New York.Built in 1923 and located at East 67th Street and Second Avenue, the building was the only public high school in the Upper East Side of New York. The school is named after Julia Richman, the first woman...
, where he would audition for Fame choreographer, Louis Falco. Much like his Fame character, Ray had little professional training, but a raw talent that won him his role for the film.
Fame was syndicated by MGM Television
MGM Television
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television is an American television production/distribution launched in 1955 and a subsidiary of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc....
from 1983 to 1987. In 1987 he won the role of Billy Nolan in the ill-fated musical adaptation of Carrie
Carrie (musical)
Carrie: The Musical is a musical with a book by Lawrence D. Cohen, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and music by Michael Gore. Adapted from Stephen King's novel Carrie, it focuses on an awkward teenage girl with telekinetic powers whose lonely life is dominated by an oppressive religious fanatic mother...
by Stephen King
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
. Ray played the role in the original opening in Stratford-Upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is a market town and civil parish in south Warwickshire, England. It lies on the River Avon, south east of Birmingham and south west of Warwick. It is the largest and most populous town of the District of Stratford-on-Avon, which uses the term "on" to indicate that it covers...
which closed after less than a month, he then transferred to Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
and continued to play the role until the musical closed after only five public performances.
Ray also appeared in the 1995 film Out Of Sync, which was directed by his Fame co-star Debbie Allen
Debbie Allen
Deborrah Kaye “Debbie” Allen is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, television director, television producer, and a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities...
, and the 1996 Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg is an American comedian, actress, singer-songwriter, political activist, author and talk show host.Goldberg made her film debut in The Color Purple playing Celie, a mistreated black woman in the Deep South. She received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress and won...
comedy Eddie
Eddie (film)
Eddie is a 1996 comedy film starring Whoopi Goldberg and Frank Langella. It was a moderate success, grossing $31,387,164 in the US.The film was directed by Steve Rash.- Plot summary :...
.
Death
Ray died on November 14, 2003 at age 41, from complications of a stroke he had suffered the previous June. Ray's mother stated that Ray was also HIV positive.Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Fame | Leroy Johnson | |
| 1981 | Vendredi ou la Vie sauvage | Friday | Television movie Alternative title: Robinson Crusoe and Man Friday |
| 1982–1987 | Fame Fame (1982 TV series) Fame is an American television series originally produced between 1982 and 1987. The show was based on the 1980 motion picture of the same name. Using a mixture of drama and music, it followed the lives of the students and faculty at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Although... |
Leroy Johnson | 116 episodes |
| 1995 | Out of Sync | Crash | |
| 1996 | Eddie Eddie (film) Eddie is a 1996 comedy film starring Whoopi Goldberg and Frank Langella. It was a moderate success, grossing $31,387,164 in the US.The film was directed by Steve Rash.- Plot summary :... |
Dancer | Associate choreographer |
| 1997 | The Drew Carey Show The Drew Carey Show The Drew Carey Show is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from 1995 to 2004. The show was set in Cleveland, Ohio, and revolved around the retail office and home life of "everyman" Drew Carey, a fictionalized version of the actor.... |
Dancer | 1 episode |
| 2002 | Austin Powers in Goldmember Austin Powers in Goldmember Austin Powers in Goldmember is a 2002 American spy comedy film and the third installment of the Austin Powers series starring Mike Myers in the title role. The movie was directed by Jay Roach, and co-written by Mike Myers and Michael McCullers. Myers also plays the roles of Dr. Evil, Goldmember,... |
Dancer | Uncredited |