gene anthony ray

The Kinsey Report looks back at the troubled history of early 80s sensation Gene Anthony Ray (aka "Leroy" from Fame) Variety Director Fred Schepisi (Six Degrees of Separation, Roxanne, Plenty) is lining up an all star cast for his new dramatic thriller Andorra: Vanessa Redgrave, Guy Pearce, Toni Collette, Clive Owen and more. Oh, how I adored him. That REMINDED me of back home is what I meant to say. Clad in barely-there satin shorts and a sleeveless shirt pulled behind his head to accentuate his flawless torso, Ray electrified audiences with his sultry dancing. Sadly, in 1996 he was diagnosed as being HIV positive. Gene Anthony Ray is part of WikiProject Musical Theatre, organized to improve and complete musical theatre articles and coverage on Wikipedia. Talent, looks, charisma. Gene Anthony Ray was born on May 24, 1962 in Harlem, New York, USA.. On TRENDCELEBSNOW.COM, Gene Anthony Ray is one of the successful Actor. Tell us "why you have a crush on him" Refresh this page to see the "Crushers" increase after you "Like" or vote. With his doleful eyes, photogenic features and chiseled, Adonis-like physique, Ray was naturally a popular subject with fan magazines read predominantly by females, but he always deflected questions about his sexual orientation. Yet it wasn’t always easy being so identified with Leroy Johnson. @Bill Perdue: Yes Bill, most of my friends from my younger days are dead of HIV, I rarely think about it, so many years have gone by, but when I do it is overwhelming. GENE ANTHONY RAY Come What May - Duration: 11:29. @Jeremy Kinser: I accept your offer and strongly suggest this pioneer as someone who has been largely ignored by the community that he himself was not only part of but went out of his way to protect. Several of you have suggested you’d like to read more in-depth articles like this. Gene Anthony Ray, Actor: Fame. Only a few years younger than stars in the movie. at 07:30. I know one shouldn’t come to conclusions from a picture but looking at him and remembering how many people I lost to that damned disease for me, it adds up I am sorry to say. Gene Anthony Ray is part of WikiProject Musical Theatre, organized to improve and complete musical theatre articles and coverage on Wikipedia. “When he walked into a room not only would the light shine but the room would shake,” she recalls. They loved each other very much. I heard that he had no formal dance training when he auditioned for the movie, just raw talent. He’d get cast in an occasional TV commercial or land a cameo in a film, but substantial employment proved elusive. 11:29. Attended Julia Richmond High School, where he performed in a dance class, and later auditioned for Louis Falco, the choreographer for the film, Fame (1980). A camera crew from entertainment channel E! “He and Debbie would get on the dance floor and it was magical,” she shares. One man who knew him from West Hollywood bars remembered he was friendly and always offered a smile but was rarely sober. To learn more about Ray and Fame, go here. Start This article has been rated as Start-Class on the quality scale. In 1993 the British press ran a series of sensational newspaper headlines saying that Ray was dying of AIDS, even though he didn’t test positive for HIV until later. That was another cool place to eat (breakfast only for me because they served homemade biscuits). Gene Anthony Ray in his later years. In 1983 a house he’d purchased for his family in a predominantly Caucasian neighborhood in rural New York was set on fire four times while Ray wasn’t home in what was suspected to be racially-motivated arson. Start This article has been rated as Start-Class on the quality scale. Only 26 yrs old.. think more about shame and ignorance of programs out there now.. It was right above Hollywood Blvd on Cahuenga blvd, I do believe. I appreciate your offer to send you verification if found and will act upon it. Plus Hayao Miyazaki Again? RIP. Let Gene Anthony Ray blow your mind with his wicked dancing below. The same year it was widely reported that Jean, along with her own mother, was arrested in a major drug sting for selling cocaine and heroin — even on the set of Fame, although Ray wasn’t implicated. Although Ray would often maintain that he wasn’t a real-life Leroy (insisting that he was neither antisocial nor illiterate like the character — “I enjoy reading!” he’d occasionally exclaim during interviews), both used their incredible charisma, raw talent and innate dancing ability to escape from a troubled family life in Harlem. "Fame" actor, Gene Anthony Ray had a pretty bright future ahead of him, but the light dimmed when his family's way of life came to haunt him, and he never fully recovered. Delen van inhoud geleverd door Tivo Corporation - © 2021 Tivo Corporation In still another on-camera interview conducted the next year, Ray looked healthier and more robust and noted the fickleness of fame. Gene Anthony Ray and friends during "50 Years of Fame" Performing Arts Gala at LaGuardia High School in New York City, New York, United States. Gene Anthony Ray, who briefly found fame as dancer Leroy Johnson in both the movie and TV versions of Fame, died Friday in New York. reportedly 17,000 letters each day at one point, She wiped away tears as she remembered a phone call. “If your work, what you’ve done has inspired somebody to do well and do something positive in this crazy world today, it’s worth it,” he stated. Dele af indholdet er leveret af Tivo Corporation - © 2021 Tivo Corporation Nyheder. It felt like every other week we were going to the hospital to visit our friends.”. Audiences were now ready for something to fuse the edgier and slick elements. Gene Anthony Ray (who played Leroy in both Fame the series and the 1980 film) also features as associate choreographer, one of his last credits before his death in 2003. @da90027: Like many of us, he was dealing with a lot of demons. In the same interview Allen, who’d developed an almost familial relationship with Ray while making the movie, described him as “an amazing ball of energy and fire who was sweet and sour at the same time.” She also claimed Ray had slapped one of his teachers at the school. Seventeen-year-old Ray filled the bill with ease. But thanks anyway for reminding me, Queerty. He played the tough, street dancer name “Leroy,” who had a love for dancing, but a slight problem with authority. I remember how sad it was to learn that he was sick and then that he was struggling to stay healthy and afloat at the end of his life. A series of films, such as Saturday Night Fever, Grease and All That Jazz, which showcased dazzling dance numbers, had been surprise hits at the box office. He net worth has been growing significantly in 2018-19. It was the spring of 1980 when Fame was released to movie theaters. Gene Anthony Ray and Erica Gimpel attend 50 Years of Fame Gala on March 8, 1993 at LaGuardia High School in New York City. Although he appeared in all six seasons of Fame, Ray’s drinking and drug use escalated and he was eventually suspended for a time after missing nearly 100 days of shooting. If you’re from the Old School, you probably remember actor/dancer, Gene Anthony Ray, from the popular 80’s TV show, Fame. He was quick-witted. It was at that theatre on Sunset Blvd right across the street from the old Merv Griffin studio at Vine. @Yiannis: Yes. 8102023, ; Maintained by Peterborough K (contributor 46537737) Unknown. It pains me now to do a Google search and see pictures of his face and how drawn in it appears. Gene Anthony Ray (New York, 24 maggio 1962 – New York, 14 novembre 2003) è stato un attore e ballerino statunitense, popolare per aver interpretato Leroy Johnson nel film del 1980 Saranno famosi e nell'adattamento televisivo, dal 1982 al 1987. I actually saw it twice. Gene Anthony Ray and Erica Gimpel attend 50 Years of Fame Gala on March 8, 1993 at LaGuardia High School in New York City. As a young teen, Ray had even attended the real-life performing arts school depicted in the film, although he was expelled during his first year. Ray honed his fancy footwork at neighborhood block parties. Attended Julia Richmond High School, where he performed in a dance class, and later auditioned for, Leroy Johnson / Self / Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come / The Scarecrow, Keeping the Promise - 1,000,000 Lives in Care: Celebrating Icons of Dance, Ahf Partners with Legend Debbie Allen to Present Keeping the Promise - 1,000,000 Lives in Care: Celebrating Icons of Dance. Heart - Stairway to Heaven (Live at Kennedy Center Honors) [FULL VERSION] - … Despite the humiliation, Ray remained loyal and attended Jean’s court hearings until she was eventually sentenced to 15 years in prison. During the height of his career, when questioned about his love life, Ray always maintained that due to his exhausting work schedule he only had time for one woman — his mom Jean. Although Ray never found another project that showcased his talents the way Fame did, it’s not difficult to see his influence in series such as Glee and a generation of musical performers who followed him. Labels: 1983, Gene Anthony Ray, Interviews, Magazines, merchandise. He seemed to have it all—and he did, for a while. Unsure of the exact reason, Derricks stops short of speculating that Ray didn’t want to become an emotional burden. As Leroy Johnson in both the movie and television versions of Fame, Ray used his street-honed disco moves, good looks, and tough-guy personality to win over a generation of teenagers. I left that theatre feeling pretty low but the movie was GOOD. It would not shock me at all to learn he did the same thing Gene Anthony Ray is accused of, denying the truth regardless of who knows it. Gene Anthony Ray (24 de maio de 1962 - 14 de novembro de 2003) foi um ator , dançarino e coreógrafo americano . Anyhow, Gene Anthony Ray was one of the first gay black men I ever saw in movies as a little boy, the first gay black characters being the lesbian couple on “The Women of Brewster Place”. Birth Name: Birth Place: Harlem, New York. In his introductory scene as Leroy Johnson, a street-smart, rebellious dance prodigy in, Along with Allen and two other actors from the film, Ray was asked to reprise his character in the television series in 1982. “It was a really, really difficult time. I remember seeing the movie Fame back in 1980 and got so jealous of my friends who came to Hollywood to act. Born on May 24, 1962, in Harlem. I close with this; I am reasonable enough to take into consideration how many emails ( and flags from dummies who will flag ANYTHING people say that rub them the wrong way in the comment section) you receive each day but being polite goes a long way to people watching out for your retention of readers and simply ran across something interesting to share. ‘t was NOT a gay restaurant by the way. I really appreciate that Queerty devoted an article of this length and care to Gene Anthony Ray. Gene Anthony Ray’s income source is mostly from being a successful Actor. Gene Anthony Ray Trailers & Videos. Nobody should have to die because they had sex. You can edit the article attached to this page, or visit the project page, where you can join the project and see a list of open tasks. In an interview conducted after his death, Allen recalled Ray’s mischievous, sometimes temperamental nature when he grabbed her ass while she was singing. That is what helped give it its flavor. Allen, no slouch on the dance floor herself, instinctively replied, “Wicked!” Movie viewers couldn’t help but agree. It was The Southern some-thing-or-other, I honestly can’t remember the name. He landed a role in the highly-anticipated musical adaptation of Carrie in London and received respectful reviews in the part played by John Travolta in the 1976 film. I want to say it was called the Southern Kitchen, but can’t be sure. Gene Anthony Ray shot to fame in the early 1980s when he took on his first—and only important—role of his acting career. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com: accessed ), memorial page for Gene Anthony Ray (24 May 1962–14 Nov 2003), Find a Grave Memorial no. Can he regain some of his 80s/90s heat? @Jeremy Kinser………..I am not surprised that you could not find the restaurant in the long-gone era listings because it was not unusual for black owned restaurants and bars to be excluded from the listings of anything related to Hollywood. In a 2003 cast reunion interview, he confessed he was kicked out due to his mouth and bad attitude toward authority figures. A lifetime ago, Gene Anthony Ray asked me for a dance at the Embassy Club in Bond Street. He was funnier than anybody. “The dancers were rather bitchy when I first joined because it was very much like a real high school and I was the new kid,” Derricks, now an award-winning choreographer for films such as Showgirls and the 2009 remake of Fame, told Queerty. His mother would prove to be a catalyst in both his life and his career. He is the definition of “fierce”. Gene’s … Actually attended New York's "High School of the Performing Arts" for a year, before being kicked out. He was a natural dancer. She’d soon find herself rushing to New York to attend his funeral in November 2003. Sometimes it’s a lethal combination. The time was right for someone like Gene Anthony Ray to take his place in the spotlight. I had no reason to doubt the story because after Carol Burnett successfully sued their asses back in the 80’s they got ACCURATE with their stories before they went to print. Actors I’ve Seen in Person (and Sometimes Met - Sort of), United Artists 100th Anniversary Poll Part IV, Raffaella Venerdì, Sabato e Domenica... E saranno famosi, The Kids from Fame: Live at the Royal Albert Hall, Carrie the Musical: The Polarizing Phenomenon. Was obsessed with the film as a kid actor living in NYC, Recall running out and purchasing the album and playing it for months. As for the black restaurant Latoya Jackson’s untalented ass was a regular as were people from yesteryears day of Motown, which was only a few blocks away down on Sunset blvd. Born in Harlem, New York, on May 24, 1962, Ray grew up in the neighborhood of West 153rd Street. Gene Anthony Ray Net Worth. Gene Anthony Ray, an actor and dancer best known for his roles in the 1980 movie Fame and its spin-off television series, died Friday in Manhattan of complications from a stroke. FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00. There were even reports he sometimes slept on park benches. Gene Anthony Ray and Lee Curreri attend the wrap party for "Fame" on April 4, 1987 at MGM Studios in Hollywood, California. One of the better articles on here. As in two or three VERIFIABLE sources, depending on who it was. Along with Allen and two other actors from the film, Ray was asked to reprise his character in the television series in 1982. And because Debbie Allen and Carlo Imperato had also announced their intention to leave at the same time, the producers of the show decided to end the series rather than try to continue without three of its biggest original stars. He was naturally great at everything. During interviews conducted at this time, Ray seemed guarded about some aspects of his private life and often butched it up in front of the camera. Allen was also shocked at Ray’s young demise. Anyway, I saw him there twice. I have sent numerous stories in the past (I quit back in April of this year) to Queerty that used to get at least a “thank you” response from you guys. But I do know it was The Southern something….Now you have me on a quest to find the name of that restaurant. I think a couple of them ended up on the television series based on the movie and one guy was on E.R., maybe. Gene Anthony Ray is straight. Keep up the good work. Damn, I am getting old. Profession Actor. Friends who knew Ray when he lived in Los Angeles in the early ’90s, but who asked to remain anonymous for this article, shared wildly different opinions of him. “We were on the phone for hours, just crying,” she recalls. “He was in a hospice and was really, really sick and I went to visit him every day and then he was fine,” she remembers. Gene Anthony Ray was born on 24 May 1962, during the presidentship of John F. Kennedy in 1962, where most of the citizens believed in the progress of youths. In his introductory scene as Leroy Johnson, a street-smart, rebellious dance prodigy in Fame, Alan Parker’s gritty Oscar-winning 1980 musical about students at a performing arts school, Ray effortlessly stole the focus from a female friend he was helping audition. Attended Julia Richmond High School, where he performed in a dance class, and later auditioned for Louis Falco, the choreographer for the film, Fame (1980). I saw him at the boy bar in NYC when I was young, and the place was beyond crowd, Ray squeezed himself between my boyfriend and myself, pushing his You finally produced an honest and readable article that highlights a gay man without resorting to innuendo or to cheap sensationalism. Gene Anthony’s last video project was an April 2003 one-hour BBC Fame reunion documentary titled Fame Remember My Name. Later his flair for camp became more apparent, his gestures became more flamboyant, he rolled his eyes more frequently, and seemed to always be on the lookout for a quick joke to deflate tension. Ray could not only dance lighter than air (Fame choreographer Louis Falco compared Ray to a young Fred Astaire) and kick higher than most female dancers, he could also out-party the rest of his cast members and friends. Immense fame comes at a cost, particularly when you’re young and making money beyond your wildest dreams and the entire world is kissing your ass and buying you one more round of cocktails or offering another bump of coke. I used to see him at a club I worked at in the early 90s and it was sad he was always drunk or high…such a waste of talent, I just remember the first time seeing this movie and falling in love with Leroy. To borrow a lyric from the movie’s Oscar-winning theme song, as long as cinema endures we’ll continue to remember his name. Jatkamalla sivuston käyttöä hyväksyt tällaisen käytön. Too bad he let it get the best of him. “Just as quick as you had it, it can go and it’s much more harmful than never having had it before.”, Interviewed for supplemental materials for Fame’s DVD release in 2002, Ray acknowledged his influence on a generation of musical theater performers. Lisätietoja Like many of his friends Derricks was surprised when Ray died following what was reported as complications from a stroke. Thanks Jeremy! The patrons were WELL integrated with the majority of the white patrons from the south who appreciated a place where the cook knew how to make collard greens (yes, we white folks from the south DO eat them too) that tasted like back home….er, um forgive me. It was the spring of 1980 when Fame was released to movie theaters. When he did test positive in 1996, Derricks was the first person Ray called. Derricks also admired the close relationship Ray had established with Debbie Allen. Tämä sivusto käyttää evästeitä analytiikkaan sekä mukautetun sisällön ja mainosten näyttämiseen. The majority of todays young folks have no idea (nor money to eat out with) of many things regarding old Hollywood. Great to see this. “Their relationship was magical. In an interview in 1994, Ray admitted the rumors hurt, especially when old friends told him they were shocked to learn he was still alive. Gene Anthony Ray wuchs in New York auf. Disco was dead. First impressions are everything in show business and Gene Anthony Ray knew how to make an indelible one. Dele af indholdet er leveret af Tivo Corporation - © 2021 Tivo Corporation Nyheder. Hit the "Tweet" button at the top ↑ 2. Another interesting figure from that era was little Michael on Good Times (Ralph Carter). It was just natural. I feel like it’s been a rumor that Ralph Carter is HIV positive and never confirmed. Fame. Links: Andorra, Amelie, Billy & Jon. It did exist, trust me. They wanted someone with some mean street strut in his step. After she scolded him, he was so hurt that he destroyed a dressing room. An appearance in a Weather Girls music video didn’t lead to much. Gene Anthony Ray, who died on Friday in New York City aged 41, leapt to stardom as Leroy Johnson, the electric dancer from Harlem in Alan Parker's film Fame (1980). It was veritable career suicide. So, how much is Gene Anthony Ray worth at the age of 41 years old? Keep up the good work. Fame: Season 2 by Ray DVD $19.99. As Leroy Johnson in both the movie and television versions of Fame, Ray used his street-honed disco moves, good looks, and tough-guy personality to win over a generation of teenagers. It was very popular but don’t forget these are the 1980’s we are talking about. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com: accessed ), memorial page for Gene Anthony Ray (24 May 1962–14 Nov 2003), Find a Grave Memorial no. big ass right on the back of my hand, LOL I had totally forgot about that. I sure wish queerty would devote more content to truly meaningful people and stories. He was louder than anyone could be, but he had the biggest heart in the world. He claimed to win every contest he entered as a kid and he entered every contest he could find — even winning the award as the best male disco dancer at New York’s famed Roseland Ballroom. Email This BlogThis! However, the next day he rang her again to tell her the diagnosis was a mistake. Off the Wall, Michael Jackson ’ s most notorious short-lived flops movie Fame in. His step majority of todays young folks have no idea the Yukon Mining Company closed as long ago as did! As a Actor him and protected him have estimated Gene Anthony Ray worth... Sour at the same time, on May 24, 1962, 1996. And big dicks Carter, i do believe TV shows & more through the.... & haircuts else Bing all are just some tired bitches! ’ we became really friends... Just raw talent a film, but he has publicly stated that he he... Blow your mind with his gene anthony ray dancing below being HIV positive and never confirmed & haircuts to establish career. 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