In Remembrance: Gene Anthony Ray 

     Gene Anthony Ray, best known for his portrayal of the street-smart dancer Leroy in the film Fame and its subsequent television version, passed away in Manhattan on Friday, November 14, 2003. He was 41.

     Born in Harlem on May 24, 1962, Ray grew up in the neighborhood of West 153^rd 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,” his mother has been quoted as saying.

     Ray also studied dance at the Julia Richmond 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.

     Despite being a hit as a film, the 1982 television spin off of Fame only lasted one year on NBC before being cancelled. The show was later syndicated by MGM Television from 1983 to 1987.

     Ray also appeared in the films Out Of Sync (1995) which was directed by his Fame co-star Debbie Allen and the 1996 Whoopi Goldberg comedy Eddie.