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Subject: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME" Died
Gene Anthony Ray, a Dancer in 'Fame,' Dies at 41
By KIMETRIS N. BALTRIP
Gene Anthony Ray, who starred as Leroy, a street-smart urban teenager, in the 1980 movie "Fame" and the later television series, died on Friday in Manhattan. He was 41.
The cause was complications of a stroke he had in June, and he was also H.I.V. positive, said Jean E. Ray, his mother.
Mr. Ray was a natural fit when he was cast as Leroy in the film, which won Academy Awards for best song and original score. Like his character in the film, Mr. Ray had never had professional dance training but had a raw talent that dazzled choreographers.
The actors who performed in the movie and in the television series "Fame" portrayed students at New York's High School of the Performing Arts, which Mr. Ray attended for a year before being kicked out. "It was too disciplined for this wild child of mine," Mrs. Ray said.
His journey into the spotlight began at Julia Richmond High School. He performed in a dance class there and later auditioned for Louis Falco, the choreographer for the film "Fame." He skipped school the day of the first tryout, and "Leroy Johnson was born," Mrs. Ray said.
Mr. Ray also played Leroy in the NBC television series "Fame," which made its debut in 1982. It was canceled by NBC because of poor ratings but was later picked up by MGM Television, which distributed it in syndication from 1983 to 1987.
Born on May 24, 1962, in Harlem, Mr. Ray lived on on West 153rd Street. After he gained stardom for his roles in "Fame," Mr. Ray left school to pursue his career.
In 1982 he toured Britain, to perform with other "Fame" cast members in 10 concerts. "The Kids From Fame," a television special about the tour, was broadcast in the United States a year later. His other film credits include "Out of Sync" (1995), which was directed by his "Fame" co-star Debbie Allen, and "Eddie" (1996), which starred Whoopi Goldberg.
According to Selma Rubin, who managed Mr. Ray for 24 years, his last video project is a one-hour BBC "Fame" reunion documentary, "Fame Remember My Name," which was taped in Los Angeles in April 2003 but has not yet been shown.
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/19/arts/television/19RAY.html?ex=1069909200
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I wasn't sure this was posted here before, so please apologies if it has been done already.
It's sad news... LeRoy was my fave one in Fame, i loved the way he danced and his jokes. Tomorrow they will air the movie on TCM here in Norway, maybe as a tribute already, but i'm not sure if it's the same schedule for Uk and USA (probably not).
Subject: Re: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME"
That is so sad... :-[ I loved Fame (movie and show). He did have an incredible talent. But I haven't heard anything about this in other media.
Subject: Re: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME"
Quoting:
That is so sad... :-[ I loved Fame (movie and show). He did have an incredible talent. But I haven't heard anything about this in other media.
End Quote
Since the article is from the NYtimes obituaries page i assumed its source was more than legit, as well after reading others people that heard the news from other sources (i guess Debbie Allen reported Gene's death in a radio interview)
http://b5.boards2go.com/boards/board.cgi?action=read&id=1069207832&user=zoofusalso a small bio has been added to Life in Legacy website
http://www.lifeinlegacy.com/2003/WIR20031122.html
But after you mentioned http://fameforever.com/ was updated and now we can sign a new memorial book there.
from the website:
"For those of you who haven't heard yet, Gene Anthony Ray (who played "Leroy" in both the movie and TV series Fame) passed away on November 15th at the age of 40.
Many people who saw the announcement I posted about his passing in the Movie and/or Series sections were not sure they could believe it as they couldn't find an announcement about it in any newspaper or online news source. However, Lee Curreri has personally confirmed it.
In honor of Gene's memory and all those who were at one time or another apart of the "Fame family" and have since passed on, please sign the new Memorial Book."
http://fameforever.com/memorial/index.php
I hope Gene is dancing in heaven :'(
Subject: Re: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME"
I meant to say that after I read your message where you mentioned that article as the only source about Gene's death, I checked for more info and found out that the Fame website was updated, so it's official.
Sorry if was a bit confusing.
Subject: Re: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME"
I posted on the memorial book. No, it wasn't confusing, just sad that the other media didn't take more notice.
You know, he also choreographed some of the dance sequences from Drew Carey.
P.S.
I'm sure he IS dancing in Heaven.
Subject: Re: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME"
http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:T0v6dlIwmy0C:digilander.libero.it/paolocupra/Sarannofamosi/ray.jpg
After reading this thread and attempting a superficial search online, in my opinion, Gene Anthony Ray could very-well qualify as one of the most forgotten celebrities of all time.
R.I.P.
Subject: Re: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME"
Quoting:
After reading this thread and attempting a superficial search online, in my opinion, Gene Anthony Ray could very-well qualify as one of the most forgotten celebrities of all time.
R.I.P.
End Quote
So very sad. :-[ :-/ :'(
Subject: Re: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME"
Quoting:
I posted on the memorial book. No, it wasn't confusing, just sad that the other media didn't take more notice.
You know, he also choreographed some of the dance sequences from Drew Carey.
P.S.
I'm sure he IS dancing in Heaven.
End Quote
thank you for posting on the memorial. After i added the link, a few more people wrote there and it felt really good. I think Gene's family will appreciate.
thanks for the extra info, Gene was really talented, I always thought he should be on Broadway, but AFAIR it didn't happen. I was about to say that he may rest in peace now, but, I know he will be dancing up in the clouds too
take care
Subject: Re: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME"
but AFAIR it didn't happen -- what do you mean?
I agree, I'm surprised he didn't go to Broadway either.
Subject: Re: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME"
Oh Wow,that's sad to hear.I knew he had AIDS and was gay but never knew he died. What A shocker.Man,we lost a whole load of people this year! :o :'(
Howard
Subject: Re: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME"
Quoting:
but AFAIR it didn't happen -- what do you mean?
I agree, I'm surprised he didn't go to Broadway either.
End Quote
AFAIR = As Far As I Remember
R.I.P. Gene
Subject: Re: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME"
Quoting:
but AFAIR it didn't happen -- what do you mean?
I agree, I'm surprised he didn't go to Broadway either.
End Quote
AFAIR: As Far As I Recall :)
it didn't happen.. but Gene was good to be on Broadway. Like others said, what a shame, a very underrated celebrity, yet very talented. It's a sick world.
I'm going to watch the Fame movie on TCM tonite. I have the original on VHS, i should buy the dvd too, but I dunno why, but everytime they send on tv, it feels extra special. For gene. Sorry for being sentimental. Other young deaths lately, but this one brought memories from the 80s
Subject: Re: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME"
I have Fame on VHS also. I wish they would release the TV series out. Fame is one of the movies I have on my list to add to my DVD collection.
I actually saw an off-off-Broadway production of Fame. One of the teachers was played by the kid from Real Genius.
In the play version of Fame Coco dies from a drug overdose when she goes out on her own. It was really sad.
I liked the movie better though.
Subject: Re: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME"
Quoting:
Other young deaths lately, but this one brought memories from the 80s
End Quote
Who else are you thinking about?
Subject: Re: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME"
Quoting:
Who else are you thinking about?
End Quote
the other young death was Jonathan Brandis, the boy from seaquest, he commited suicide last week, only 27 years old...it was really upsetting to hear that such another young actor has died. It has been a really bad month
http://www.minorcon.org/brandis.htmlhttp://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8100255&pt=Jonathan%20Bran
dis
http://www.suntimes.com/output/entertainment/cst-ftr-xray20.html
there was also a young lady KELLIE WAYWIRE that was on star trek, she also died at 35
http://www.einsiders.com/features/columns/nov03obituaries.php
just a pretty creepy month. There was a page in the norwegian newspapers talking about Gene. I found out that he actually gave some classes here, someone even wrote in the guestbook.
Subject: Re: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME"
I had no idea about Johnathon Brandis. How terrible!
Sad about Kellie too.
Subject: Re: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME"
Believe it or not, I never saw the movie but used to watch the show all the time. I wanted to go to the School of Preforming Arts but never really pursude that dream too hard. I think the world has lost a very talented preformer. It is very sad.
R.I.P. :'( :'( :'( :'(
Cat
Subject: Re: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME"
He will be missed. Fame was my favorite tv show in the 80's.
Subject: Re: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME"
I haven't seen Fame :o :o since it used to be on television 15-16 years ago.
Subject: Re: Gene Anthony Ray - Leroy a dancer from "FAME"
Well if you're curious you could rent Fame (b/c it was also a movie) :)