Gene Anthony Ray

Actor, dancer, and choreographer

What is Gene Anthony Ray known for?

Born on May 24, 1962, in Harlem, New York City, Gene Anthony Ray was an eminent American actor, dancer, and choreographer. Ray, the native of New York City, was renowned for his depiction of dancer Leroy Johnson in both the 1980 film "Fame" and the subsequent television series based on the film, which aired from 1982 until 1987.

During his early life in Harlem, Ray partook in street dancing at local block parties and honed his skills in a dance class at Julia Richman High School. His journey towards becoming a professional started when he skipped school one day to audition for "Fame" choreographer, Louis Falco.

Ray's raw talent and lack of professional training echoed in his character Leroy Johnson from "Fame", which earned him recognition. His career flourished as he starred alongside Michael York in the TV Adventure-Comedy "Vendredi ou la Vie sauvage" (1981), and played Billy Nolan in Stephen King's ill-fated musical adaptation of "Carrie" (1987). His performance in The Weather Girls' music video for "Well-A-Wiggy" (1985) and his roles in films such as "Out-of-Sync" (1995) and "Eddie" (1996) further increased his fame.

In 1984, Ray and the other cast members of "Fame" began touring the UK, giving performances at various venues, including a sold-out performance at the Royal Albert Hall. However, his career took a downturn in 1984 when he got axed from the show following his frequent absences from work and his struggle with addictions to alcohol and drugs.

Despite his struggles, Ray managed to leave a significant impact on the entertainment industry before his untimely death on November 14, 2003. His last video appearance was a one-hour BBC "Fame" reunion documentary.

For more information regarding his life and career, check out his IMDb page and his profile on the Britannica.