Before American Idol, even before Star Search, young, talented actors, singers and dancers dreamed of show business stardom. Countless more far less talented wannabes hoped that they too would somehow catch a break. Many of them were influenced by a 1980 motion picture called Fame about a group of similarly ambitious students at New York’s High School for the Performing Arts.
One of that film’s most memorable stars, Gene Anthony Ray, has passed at age 41. 
For those of us who were young and star struck ourselves, his portrayal of the brash, street smart, raw dancing talent Leroy Johnson, was one that resonated on different levels. He was one of “us” in many ways. Fierce when some fool questioned a Black kid from Harlem pursuing a dance career. Hungry and eager to prove himself when others questioned his abilities.
Ray’s on-screen persona–he played the character in both the movie and subsequent television series–was not very far from his real life. He grew up in Harlem and had no dance training when he auditioned and won the part. In fact he had been kicked out of the real high school depicted in the film because it was too disciplined for him. But he didn’t let that stop him.
Fame would be the high point of his career however. He toured with cast members from the show in a musical review, and did a television special about the tour. Earlier this year, he appeared in a documentary, “Fame Remember My Name” that reunited the cast. In between, were appearances in one or two forgettable pictures and tv series.
Although Ray was HIV positive, he died of complications from a stroke he suffered in June.
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Oh boy, wasn’t Gene Anthony Ray a mess? (I say that with love). All of that talent and sensuality was too much for the small screen. I remember gagging when Janet Jackson had her crush on Leroy. Heh. Bless he heart. Poor thing was a hag then *and* now, I suppose.