Posted by Lovefosho Ray, who was also H.I.V. positive, didn't have any formal acting or dancing training before being cast in the 1980 musical Fame. After the Fame TV series folded, Ray toured with other cast members in a Kids From Fame stage revue. His other credits include the LL Cool J movie, Out-Of-Sync, and the Whoopi Goldberg feature, Eddie. Ray's last project was a Fame reunion documentary for the BBC that has yet to be broadcast. Choreographer-director Debbie Allen directed Ray in Out-Of-Sync and worked with him on Fame as well. She said that Ray was a natural talent who wasn't keen on professional training: "Gene Anthony Ray, he was not so trained but that child was fierce. He was stronger than anybody. I knew if I could just get him in ballet class for like six months I would just like take him to a whole other level. He was like a horse that did not want you to ride him." Ray's mother, Jean E. Ray, said that her son wasn't cut out for a performing arts high school like the one portrayed in Fame. She told the New York Times, quote, "It was too disciplined for this wild child of mine."
on 11/24/2003, 10:59 am
Gene Anthony Ray, the actor best known for playing Leroy in the Fame movie and TV series, died Friday (November 14th) of complications from a stroke he suffered in June. He was 41.
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