Trivia

Born in Harlem, he landed the part of Leroy in Alan Parker's film, Fame (1980), when he was 17, after skipping school to go to the auditions.

According to Selma Rubin, who managed him for 24 years, Ray's last video project is a one-hour BBC Fame (1980) reunion documentary, "Fame Remember My Name," which was taped in Los Angeles in April 2003, and aired in the United Kingdom shortly after his death.

He was HIV-positive at the time he suffered a stroke in June 2003. He died a few months later, on November 14.

In 1982, he toured the UK to perform with other Fame (1982) cast members in 10 concerts. A compilation of footage from the concerts was edited together as an episode of the series, The Kids from Fame in Concert (1983), which was broadcast in the United States a year after the concerts.

Appeared in a Fame (1980) reunion documentary entitled "Fame Remember My Name," which was taped in April 2003 for the BBC.

In real life, he was expelled from the New York School for the Performing Arts, where the series Fame (1982) was set.

Known for his wild, rebellious character Leroy in the TV series Fame (1982), the similarly styled Gene attended New York's High School of the Performing Arts, but dropped out after a year due to the strict discipline.

Lived on West 153rd Street. After he gained stardom for his roles in Fame (1980) and Fame (1982), he left school to pursue his career.