Years, years and years ago, I went to this party with a bunch of white French folks. When we arrived to the party, they left me to myself. They acted as if I did not come with them. Well, who was at this party, sober and clean, Jean Anthony Ray. He peeped what they were doing to me. He had me come and sit with him and his friends, he treated me like his best friend. I will never ever ever forget his kindness. And guess who tried to come and sit with US...yep those white French folks. We ignored them and let me tell you, Jean Anthony Ray could throw some shade:) RIPower Gene Anthony Ray!
I went to school with Gene from elementary through high school. Last time I saw him we were walking home from school and he told me he was moving to California. Next time I saw him was in Fame. I was so glad to see that he was successful and even more sorry to hear when he passed away. He was such a nice person and lawd he could make you laugh! We got kicked out of class in 8th grade because he kept making me laugh lol.
I’ll never forget a scene at the beginning of Fame. Leroy was dancing and a teacher said “What do you call THAT?” and Debbie Allen said “WICKED”. Agreed. RIP Gene Anthony Ray.
I also want to say, your channel is one of the ONLY ones out here that gives us well researched info on our stars and celebrities! Thank you for your hard work!
Do you remember Debbie Allen stared in the Cosby Show? She was the aerobic instructor and she wore them girls out! Claire Huxtable was hiding from her? Behind this big girls?🤣🤣🤣
He was a very talented young man - great actor and dancer. Shame he died so young. I enjoyed the movie "Fame" as well as the spin off TV show, and he was so good they got him to take part in both versions.
I knew him and he was an amazing spirit!! He always went out of his way to let people and invite you along...he was amazing,Gene Anthony Ray is sorely missed 💔🙏🏿🕊️
He was very much gay. My mother stalked him after watching Fame. She was in love with him. And when she finally got courage to say something she told me he let her know he was gay. Loved when she told this story about him. Rip Mommy and Gene
I saw him on where are they now show and he was dancing over seas and his stage name was Leroy and I was in shock because he was sooooo feminine and Gay and I was like wow because on fame I couldn't tell
I knew him personally and my guy was funny asf. A generation before me, he and an uncle of mine grew up as best friends and his grandma was a gangster! He's truly missed.
Went to the Lurher Vandross/Anita Baker concert at Madison Square Garden.Anita was on stage doing her thang and spotted him in the audience called him up on the stage and my boy did his thang!!! RIP King
I got an idea for a new series. I call it Flowers Underrated. I like the idea simply because there are quite of few artists/actors who are still here with us who really haven't gotten their flowers yet. I feel the series would get just as much love as this one. Basically shedding some more light on their accomplishments and great deeds. A great example would be Chubb Rock! Let me add this. This isn't my channel. I didn't put in the effort and hard work. I am a loyal supporter of this channel. I'm not looking for a come up off of a channel that I didn't make. This brother does great work and I just want this channel to continue to grow.
@@detroitbuffalo exactly that's why i thought of this series. This brother has been consistent for years. His content is addicting and informative. I know a lot of us supporters of this channel would support it.
Fame was one of the best shows and Leroy was one of the best characters ever. I was born in the early 70s so I have very vivid memories of this show. We would always recite Debbie's beginning monolog at school: "You got big dreams? You want fame? Well fame costs. And right here is where you start paying....in sweat!" #ripgeneanthonyray
Fame was my childhood favorite show I watched the show faithfully. I had forgotten that Gene had passed away. A very talented guy all around. I agree he definitely should be inducted into the National Hall Dance Hall Of Fame. I'm sad to hear about how he passed away and way too young 41 years old. #RestInParadise, Gene thank you for the beautiful memories and your acting skills. 🙏🏽🥺😭💜 Heartbreaking: Gene passed away from a stroke and HIV. I'm shocked to hear that a few of the cast members had HIV. 🥺 I'm glad his family had his back.
As a semi retired Black African male dancer and choreographer, he and the late Gregg Burge were two of my biggest inspirations to develop and perfect my craft. May their souls continue to rest in peace. Please do a bio of Sylvester.
U can't be taught to move the way this dude moved. He literally casted a spell on u. U had to watch him he was a beautiful light in this world to behold.
That dude was nimble and flexible, and sensitive. He had a pretty dope voice too. I remember watching Fame growing up seeing how Leroy did not give a damn about school and classes, such a free spirit. His passion and focus came out in dancing only. I believe he really was apart of the rainbow family. He was also one of the dancers in The Weather Girls Raining Men video.
Boy was gayer than a picnic basket. He did have a great talent though coupled with a great look and would've been a great contender if only he had an agent who would've taught him to reign it in just a little and focus on his career. AIDS was a very big deal in the 80s so unfortunately you couldn't be flamboyant, which he was. Add the heavy partying and drugs- it can get you get less work in the business ESPECIALLY if you were starting out
Another excellent episode. Yes indeed I remember the incomparable Mr. Gene Anthony Ray. His character on fame always struggled with tuition! They never allowed him to evolve beyond that same vain.
I can't even remember how many times I saw the movie fame. I would go to the show and sit there all day. I loved that movie and Gene Anthony Ray. You did the brutha justice.
I loved me some Gene Anthony Ray and the Fame franchise! I had a poster with him from Right On magazine on my wall with him posing with his leg up and toe pointed towards the sky. He had on some blue bikini briefs…hunty…the package 📦 did not disappoint….RIP to him!
Thank you for putting this together on the life of Gene Anthony Ray. I loved the show as a a pre-teen, had all the records etc. I never understood why NBC cancelled such a good show. When the DVDs came out around 2006, and I was able to rewatch the first season again, was happy to see the show really stood the test of time. I was surprised that a lot of the songs still sounded good and of course the other immediate stand out was how insanely talented Gene Anthony Ray was. I had spent years between 1982 and 2006 studying dance and music - even teaching - so that gave me even more perspective than I had as a little kid in 1982. I looked him up after rewatching the DVDs on IMDB, wondering how old he would be, what he was doing performance wise, and was shocked to read he had died and that he had drug issues etc. It's heartbreaking to hear what his life was like during and post Fame. Yes. I agree he should be in the dancer hall of fame. Italy probably wouldn't have been the best place for him. My husband is from Italy, and while I LOVE it there - they could be pretty racist, although it's gotten better, -( I was there between 2009 - 2014) , I imagine it was worse in the 80s and 90s.
Yes! Gene Anthony Ray. Thanks for featuring this legendary man. Leroy was my favorite character on Fame, and like you said, they definitely made him out to be the street-wise bad boy of the show. What an amazing dancer! I think he would have been a MAJOR choreographer in the industry had he not died so young. There will never be another. Keep doing what you're doing, Sir. This series truly pays homage to unsung heroes a lot of people grew up with back in the day.
My mom loved this show. She would let me and my sisters stay up late so we could watch it. How I miss those days. Thanks for sharing this story you did an awesome job as usual never disappointed. Be blessed 🥰
Even as a child, I recognized Gene Anthony Ray as flamboyant but I thought he was beautiful: graceful dancer's body, expressive Brown eyes and I loved his character Leroy. My favs from the TV show was Coco, Lydia & Leroy!! When he revealed his status back then, I was not surprised AT ALL. The illness was associated mainly with LGBT members & even though he never talked about his sexuality, I knew!
Ummmmm no people were not wondering if he was gay. He was gayer than a picnic. It's all good because my own son is gay, a dancer and got his Master's Degree in dance. Why would anybody care who sleeps with who? I know I don't. I'm straight and nobody cares who I sleep with, so why aren't gay people treated the same?
@@applepie1923 It's wonderful that you lovingly accept and support your son, however, this was back when people weren't so accepting and people didn't discuss their sexuality as freely as today. There can still be stigma and some people are ostracised and disowned by their friends and family. It still happens a lot.
@@San_Be Thank you for your kind words. Not a lot has changed. Gene and I are the same age. My son is 37. He hid his sexuality because he thought somebody would might try to hurt him because of it. It’s must be hard not being able to be who you are. I felt that way about Luther Vandross. He never got to live the life he wanted to really live. Rest In Peace to Luther and Gene
@@San_Be 100%. I had a lot of friends from my teen years that were black and gay. Even in the 1980s (when we were growing up) that was tough especially if you were black.. I say this based on observation and the close friends I had and what they went through. I must have had terrible gaydar because I never especially pegged him as gay - but also didn't really care - he was handsome and just astonishingly talented. But yes, back then you wouldn't have been open about being gay.
ME AND MY SISTERS use to watch the tv show Fame as little girls, just for LeRoy! He was so fine! We use fight over him until we got a little older and discovered he didn't like girls lol. We were so bummed but he and Debbie Allen are who really influenced us to go to a Performing Arts School. We wanted to dance on the tables like LeRoy lol. Gene was an incredibly awesome dancer!
Thank you so much for selecting the shining stars of the early '80s dance / hip Hop movement. I really enjoyed your shabba video. He was a Shining Star of my adolescent years, in the '80s. I also loved Leroy on Fame he was so talented and amazing.
My mom wouldn't let us watch it (dancing was evil), so I would beg her to spend the night at my grandma's so I could watch it because grandma watched it, we just didn't tell mom.....I loved it!
You got to realize this about the time line of this show. It was during the crack and heroine epidemic. Those days back than were bitter sweet, by and by.
This is one of the stories i’ve been waiting for thank you so much. Can we please get stories on the cast of Sanford & Son, The Jeffersons, Different Strokes, Dustin Diamond, Rosetta Lenoire, Roger E. Mosley, Mary Alice, Nichelle Nichols, Robert Guillaume, Suzzanne Douglas, Yvette Wilson, Natalie Dasalle Reid, Bernie Mac, John Witherspoon, Naya Rivera, Diahann Carroll & Della Reese???
Thank you for featuring him I grew up watching him on Fame the tv series. I remember watching him as a little. He definitely had a gift of dancing improvising something fierce. He could make a complicated dance numbers. The way his life ended made me so sad. It didn’t take away from his talent.❤️
I was devastated when 'Fame' was cancelled on tv. It was a show about young people. I was 11-12yrs. old at the time in '82-3. Bruno was my Guy, and Nia Peoples and her Boyfriend...forget his name
He had a lot of heart and soul. I think he was really a down to earth person who kept it real. When he was getting popular on Fame and then became a celebrity he thought it would last forever and when the show ended and the dance tours ended he went into shock. He could not find work and got into the drugs and male escorting and that is what did him in.
I watched the show but i was young and don’t remember many details of the episodes I met Debbie Allen in college- i went to Duke and she was on campus. I ran into her at the main campus store. She was pleasant!
I often think of so many of our talented gay actors and talented artists who were in the closet, how far they would be today if they didn’t have to face the discrimination or lead double lives.
Tony Ray is what I called him. We grew up on the same block, 153rd st. 8th Ave. He once punched a guy in the face because he spiked a volleyball in my face! Tony was fierce! Love him!💟☦️ Sincerely, Crys, The Song 🕊🎶
I remember the show fame very well me and my mom would watch it faithfully. This youngman was a great dancer/actor he could dance with no problem too me he actually made the show because of his talents...
Oh my gosh, even though I was a little on the young side when Fame was out, I simply loved Leroy. I had some rumors in how he died, but they were never really substantiated. Thank you for keeping his name alive. There will never be another Gene A. Ray. ❤️ 😍 💖 ❣️ 💕 💘
Thank you so much for this, Fame was one of my favorite TV shows. I didn't know Gene was fired from the series. He was in all six seaons including the very last episode. Maybe he was put on a suspension?
Grew up in Harlem… went to school with his lil brother…. Wonder what happened to Nairobi? Yep memories of Harlemworldin the late 80’s. Tony Ray let you know what he was about and was very outspoken…..
This is one of the best pieces I have ever watched about this talented young man. Thank you for your hard work. You taught me so much this morning. Peace.
Thank you for the video. I could watch The Iconic Gene Anthony Ray dance all day!!!! And he was very intelligent. And a naturally BEAUTIFUL Dancer!!!! And Fame was everything!! Thank you so much 🕺🏽🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵
I just wanted to say your show is awesome.Your narration and detailed story telling is remarkable. I think your channel is needed.Wishing you all the best & many blessings in the future.
Love it 💯 he was a damn good dancer! ♥️ I watched FAME DAILY.... JANET JACKSON DID A FEW EPISODES THEN LEFT TO WK ON ALBUM "CONTROL"!!!! THE BEST SHOW AND MOVIE EVER! ♥️💯♥️
Gene Anthony Ray facts: 1. He definitely was talented dancer. A very raw and fierce dancer. 2. He was gay. 3. His family was HEAVY in the streets 4. He contracted HIV later in life. 5. A humble guy considering what he was going through. 6. "Leroy" and Gene Anthony you could say were the same person. Most of his lines were not written.
Years, years and years ago, I went to this party with a bunch of white French folks. When we arrived to the party, they left me to myself. They acted as if I did not come with them. Well, who was at this party, sober and clean, Jean Anthony Ray. He peeped what they were doing to me. He had me come and sit with him and his friends, he treated me like his best friend. I will never ever ever forget his kindness. And guess who tried to come and sit with US...yep those white French folks. We ignored them and let me tell you, Jean Anthony Ray could throw some shade:) RIPower Gene Anthony Ray!
I - luv-it! 😊
Wow I was a little girl in that picture came out but he always was my favorite
Great story
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful story about him❤❤
Good commentary.
I went to school with Gene from elementary through high school. Last time I saw him we were walking home from school and he told me he was moving to California. Next time I saw him was in Fame. I was so glad to see that he was successful and even more sorry to hear when he passed away. He was such a nice person and lawd he could make you laugh! We got kicked out of class in 8th grade because he kept making me laugh lol.
😲😲😲👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🖤🖤🖤
Thank you for sharing that ❤
🖤🙏🏼💯
I need receipts lol just kidding thanks for sharing
😍😍😍😍😍😍
Met Gene Ray on the streets in Harlem while visiting NY. He was sooooo down to earth! Just like meeting a friend. RIP Gene Anthony Ray 🙏🏾
Didn't know he passed RIP
I’ll never forget a scene at the beginning of Fame. Leroy was dancing and a teacher said “What do you call THAT?” and Debbie Allen said “WICKED”. Agreed. RIP Gene Anthony Ray.
Loretta Chandler went to school with her
My favorite scene in the movie
That was a scene!
“ Gene was a limited dancer and lacked charisma, I made his role as Leroy work for him.” ~ Debbie Allen
@@senecaknowledge2274 Wow I didn’t know that.
Gene Anthony Ray was one of the best male dancer ever. I remember first seeing him in the movie Fame and he killed his role Leroy Johnson.
I remember that.
What made you think of this ?
If he has still with us, I believe he would have been a choreographer with his own dance company.
Yes
HE HAD HIS OWN COMPANY BUT IT NEVER TOOK OFF.....
He started out as an African dancer from about 5 years old. He danced with La Rocbey Dance Company. His mother sold drugs.
@@vashtikelly6837 Yes, in Milan.
@@vrjanice2 Big facts
Gene was so gifted and sadly underrated.
His mother's drug dealing ruined his life. From Ms. Harper Stacey.
I also want to say, your channel is one of the ONLY ones out here that gives us well researched info on our stars and celebrities! Thank you for your hard work!
Fact!💯🕺🏿... Journalism at its Finest!👌🏿🙅🏿♂️
Facts!
Very thorough!! 💪🏾
YaSsss BaeBie
I love this channel
Fame was my show growing up!! Loved the way Gene danced!! RIPGeneAnthonyRay 🕊
Mine too ! Love that show .
Hands down...... One of my favorite shows of all time... RIP to this brother!!!
Anche il mio è leroy n 1 assoluto
I DROPPED everything to watch this video!! I LOVED Gene so much and his dancing is still AMAZING to watch to this day!! He really was magical ✨️ 💓
Me 2..
Same!
Word u right on that
Me also..LOVED Gene..he was a phenomenally talented man.
I use to love watching him & Debbie Allen dance. To me they had a dancing chemistry. I never missed an episode. I love the movie too
Yes me too with such class& grace
Yes!!! ❤️🔥
Do you remember Debbie Allen stared in the Cosby Show? She was the aerobic instructor and she wore them girls out! Claire Huxtable was hiding from her? Behind this big girls?🤣🤣🤣
He was a very talented young man - great actor and dancer. Shame he died so young. I enjoyed the movie "Fame" as well as the spin off TV show, and he was so good they got him to take part in both versions.
Did yall catch that the only brotha on set name was LEROY! 🤔
I knew him and he was an amazing spirit!! He always went out of his way to let people and invite you along...he was amazing,Gene Anthony Ray is sorely missed 💔🙏🏿🕊️
He was very much gay. My mother stalked him after watching Fame. She was in love with him. And when she finally got courage to say something she told me he let her know he was gay. Loved when she told this story about him. Rip Mommy and Gene
Wow! That's Deep rest in peace too your mother and gene Anthony
🌺🌺🌺🙏💗💗💗...
I saw him on where are they now show and he was dancing over seas and his stage name was Leroy and I was in shock because he was sooooo feminine and Gay and I was like wow because on fame I couldn't tell
I knew him personally and my guy was funny asf. A generation before me, he and an uncle of mine grew up as best friends and his grandma was a gangster! He's truly missed.
Nothing great about being a gangster, honestly…
A gangster? Lol how so?
Went to the Lurher Vandross/Anita Baker concert at Madison Square Garden.Anita was on stage doing her thang and spotted him in the audience called him up on the stage and my boy did his thang!!! RIP King
Gregory Hines should be in the DANCE HALL OF FAME as well!🤩
ABSOLUTELY!!!
I got an idea for a new series. I call it Flowers Underrated. I like the idea simply because there are quite of few artists/actors who are still here with us who really haven't gotten their flowers yet. I feel the series would get just as much love as this one. Basically shedding some more light on their accomplishments and great deeds. A great example would be Chubb Rock!
Let me add this. This isn't my channel. I didn't put in the effort and hard work. I am a loyal supporter of this channel. I'm not looking for a come up off of a channel that I didn't make. This brother does great work and I just want this channel to continue to grow.
That's what we were hoping Unsung would be, until they lost their way.
@@detroitbuffalo exactly that's why i thought of this series. This brother has been consistent for years. His content is addicting and informative. I know a lot of us supporters of this channel would support it.
Add Alicia Myers to this list!
I think that's a great idea 💡
Full support 💯 Modern day black history
Fame was one of the best shows and Leroy was one of the best characters ever. I was born in the early 70s so I have very vivid memories of this show. We would always recite Debbie's beginning monolog at school: "You got big dreams? You want fame? Well fame costs. And right here is where you start paying....in sweat!" #ripgeneanthonyray
Yes so true
I was born in the early 70s too and my friends and I used to re-enact the movie "Fame" in the park lol.
I'm from Harlem, and true to this story, his family, was big and known all through these streets as nothing to play with.
155th St 8th Ave Harlem NYC
@@feliciapena9952 polo
142nd Lenox and 7th. 🖤
Crazy place to grow up in gotta have thick skin
Yep Harlem Polo. And Julia Richman HS he was in Talent Unlimited / Performance Arts program at the school RIP
Fame was my childhood favorite show I watched the show faithfully. I had forgotten that Gene had passed away. A very talented guy all around. I agree he definitely should be inducted into the National Hall Dance Hall Of Fame. I'm sad to hear about how he passed away and way too young 41 years old. #RestInParadise, Gene thank you for the beautiful memories and your acting skills. 🙏🏽🥺😭💜 Heartbreaking: Gene passed away from a stroke and HIV. I'm shocked to hear that a few of the cast members had HIV. 🥺 I'm glad his family had his back.
Which other cast members died from AIDS / HIV?
A few years ago I remember that he was interviewed in Paris while homeless. He was such a phenomenal dancer, and his style was everything.
I loved Fame. Leroy was my favorite. I can still hear the theme song. Man that brought me back.
Me too!!
Me too, Baby look at me, and tell me what you see… gittit Irene Cara 😂
One of my all time favorite shows.
Yesssss!!! Gene Anthony Ray!! Loved him and his dancing.
As a semi retired Black African male dancer and choreographer, he and the late Gregg Burge were two of my biggest inspirations to develop and perfect my craft. May their souls continue to rest in peace. Please do a bio of Sylvester.
Do you know how much I would love that?!!!❤️❤️❤️
I had a chance to meet him in Los Angeles he was incredibly kind.❤️ R.I.P
I'm jealous.
I still watch Fame (movie) regularly. Its on my DVR now. I always quote, "Young and single, and I love to mingle."
U can't be taught to move the way this dude moved. He literally casted a spell on u. U had to watch him he was a beautiful light in this world to behold.
I had a big crush on him in my tween years he was a great talent I loved this episode its hard to find out about him but you did it again great job
That dude was nimble and flexible, and sensitive. He had a pretty dope voice too. I remember watching Fame growing up seeing how Leroy did not give a damn about school and classes, such a free spirit. His passion and focus came out in dancing only. I believe he really was apart of the rainbow family. He was also one of the dancers in The Weather Girls Raining Men video.
0
Boy was gayer than a picnic basket. He did have a great talent though coupled with a great look and would've been a great contender if only he had an agent who would've taught him to reign it in just a little and focus on his career. AIDS was a very big deal in the 80s so unfortunately you couldn't be flamboyant, which he was. Add the heavy partying and drugs- it can get you get less work in the business ESPECIALLY if you were starting out
@@trapey But he loved women, too. He got in trouble during the Kid Of Fame Tour for feeling Debbie Allen's behind!
@@trapey sometimes he was but yet at other times he comes across as straight acting
@@leighburton832 he dicnt love Woman he was gay not bi
I had the biggest crush on Gene Anthony Ray and love him on Fame too. I want to be a dancer when Fame come out. R. I. P
This video was very well researched and informative. I learned a lot of new information about Gene. RIP 🙏🏽 🕊
Me too! Like Gene having no formal dance training. That’s nuts! He was phenomenal
Fame is another Iconic show. Leroy and many others very talented. R. I. P. Gene🙏🏼
Janet Jackson was a regular on fane for one season. She played a character named Cleo. From Ms. Harper Stacey.
Another excellent episode. Yes indeed I remember the incomparable Mr. Gene Anthony Ray. His character on fame always struggled with tuition! They never allowed him to evolve beyond that same vain.
I can't even remember how many times I saw the movie fame. I would go to the show and sit there all day. I loved that movie and Gene Anthony Ray. You did the brutha justice.
I kept thinking about Gene Anthony Ray. I remember when he passed, but his role in Fame was awesome
I loved me some Gene Anthony Ray and the Fame franchise! I had a poster with him from Right On magazine on my wall with him posing with his leg up and toe pointed towards the sky. He had on some blue bikini briefs…hunty…the package 📦 did not disappoint….RIP to him!
Didn't he die of aids ???
THAAAT PART‼️ SUCH a Loss & WASTE Of Man🤦🏾♀️‼️🤨😏🙈🙉🙊🙆🏾
@@rissaceehart4076 ignorant Black woman
Thank you for putting this together on the life of Gene Anthony Ray. I loved the show as a a pre-teen, had all the records etc. I never understood why NBC cancelled such a good show. When the DVDs came out around 2006, and I was able to rewatch the first season again, was happy to see the show really stood the test of time. I was surprised that a lot of the songs still sounded good and of course the other immediate stand out was how insanely talented Gene Anthony Ray was. I had spent years between 1982 and 2006 studying dance and music - even teaching - so that gave me even more perspective than I had as a little kid in 1982. I looked him up after rewatching the DVDs on IMDB, wondering how old he would be, what he was doing performance wise, and was shocked to read he had died and that he had drug issues etc. It's heartbreaking to hear what his life was like during and post Fame. Yes. I agree he should be in the dancer hall of fame. Italy probably wouldn't have been the best place for him. My husband is from Italy, and while I LOVE it there - they could be pretty racist, although it's gotten better, -( I was there between 2009 - 2014) , I imagine it was worse in the 80s and 90s.
1100 views in 39 minutes. Yes, we are ready when you add a new video. Thank you, continue the great work. ❤
heart breaking many of us beacame dancers due to watching him on fame , beautifully presented as usual thank you
Yes! Gene Anthony Ray. Thanks for featuring this legendary man. Leroy was my favorite character on Fame, and like you said, they definitely made him out to be the street-wise bad boy of the show. What an amazing dancer! I think he would have been a MAJOR choreographer in the industry had he not died so young. There will never be another. Keep doing what you're doing, Sir. This series truly pays homage to unsung heroes a lot of people grew up with back in the day.
People need to educate themselves a bit. The skills are needed to be a choreographer are not the same as the ones needed to become a dancer. Please.
My mom loved this show. She would let me and my sisters stay up late so we could watch it. How I miss those days. Thanks for sharing this story you did an awesome job as usual never disappointed. Be blessed 🥰
Left a live to jump over here and watch this. I use to love Gene Anthony Ray and both versions of Fame
Even as a child, I recognized Gene Anthony Ray as flamboyant but I thought he was beautiful: graceful dancer's body, expressive Brown eyes and I loved his character Leroy. My favs from the TV show was Coco, Lydia & Leroy!! When he revealed his status back then, I was not surprised AT ALL. The illness was associated mainly with LGBT members & even though he never talked about his sexuality, I knew!
Ummmmm no people were not wondering if he was gay. He was gayer than a picnic. It's all good because my own son is gay, a dancer and got his Master's Degree in dance. Why would anybody care who sleeps with who? I know I don't. I'm straight and nobody cares who I sleep with, so why aren't gay people treated the same?
@@applepie1923 It's wonderful that you lovingly accept and support your son, however, this was back when people weren't so accepting and people didn't discuss their sexuality as freely as today. There can still be stigma and some people are ostracised and disowned by their friends and family. It still happens a lot.
@@San_Be Thank you for your kind words. Not a lot has changed. Gene and I are the same age. My son is 37. He hid his sexuality because he thought somebody would might try to hurt him because of it. It’s must be hard not being able to be who you are. I felt that way about Luther Vandross. He never got to live the life he wanted to really live. Rest In Peace to Luther and Gene
@@San_Be 100%. I had a lot of friends from my teen years that were black and gay. Even in the 1980s (when we were growing up) that was tough especially if you were black.. I say this based on observation and the close friends I had and what they went through. I must have had terrible gaydar because I never especially pegged him as gay - but also didn't really care - he was handsome and just astonishingly talented. But yes, back then you wouldn't have been open about being gay.
@@applepie1923 Amen...you took the words I always say right out of my mouth. My son is gay as well and this is the same way I feel and what I say!
I remember seeing this brother in a old movie I think LL Cool J was in it smh sooo talented damn RIP ❤️
Out of sync
🙋🏾♂️ Irene Cara was later black listed because she refused to be taken advantage of (sexualy) by record producers.
She got on drugs too
She was Halley Berry in the 70's.
The record producers cheated her out of royalties. From Ms. Harper Stacey.
@@zxcccccc1 w11
It's got to be so frustrating & scary when that happens... even still today
ME AND MY SISTERS use to watch the tv show Fame as little girls, just for LeRoy! He was so fine! We use fight over him until we got a little older and discovered he didn't like girls lol. We were so bummed but he and Debbie Allen are who really influenced us to go to a Performing Arts School. We wanted to dance on the tables like LeRoy lol. Gene was an incredibly awesome dancer!
I love that show. I was young but that show has helped me in my adult life, believe it or not.
Thank you so much for selecting the shining stars of the early '80s dance / hip Hop movement. I really enjoyed your shabba video. He was a Shining Star of my adolescent years, in the '80s. I also loved Leroy on Fame he was so talented and amazing.
You are such a positive and pleasure to listen to regardless of their downfalls you always see the light Thank you Bro ❤️💯
This was pretty sad. I remember when he passed. He was living in Paris and barely making it as told on one of the Hollywood stories. Very talented.
He was in Europe 🇪🇺 a lot it's sad
Wait a minute I thought he had been living in Milan
Milan
Always on time This here was one of my favorite shows back in the day 👌🏽💯RIP Gene Anthony Ray 😔🙏🏽
My mom wouldn't let us watch it (dancing was evil), so I would beg her to spend the night at my grandma's so I could watch it because grandma watched it, we just didn't tell mom.....I loved it!
You got to realize this about the time line of this show. It was during the crack and heroine epidemic. Those days back than were bitter sweet, by and by.
One of my favorite shows and really liked him and Debbie Allen.. Leroy was an amazing character so good..
I always liked Leroy. Another sad story.
This is one of the stories i’ve been waiting for thank you so much. Can we please get stories on the cast of Sanford & Son, The Jeffersons, Different Strokes, Dustin Diamond, Rosetta Lenoire, Roger E. Mosley, Mary Alice, Nichelle Nichols, Robert Guillaume, Suzzanne Douglas, Yvette Wilson, Natalie Dasalle Reid, Bernie Mac, John Witherspoon, Naya Rivera, Diahann Carroll & Della Reese???
Thank you for featuring him I grew up watching him on Fame the tv series. I remember watching him as a little. He definitely had a gift of dancing improvising something fierce. He could make a complicated dance numbers. The way his life ended made me so sad. It didn’t take away from his talent.❤️
Thankyou for covering Gene Anthony Ray. Still to this day my sister and I call straight back cornrows “The Leroy braids.”
Girl I do too! 😆
@@Ms.Tasha. lol🤣🤣
I remember this show when I was 15 years old RIP GENE🙏🏽🙏🏽
I love your research keep it coming bro..👍🏿
Love this guy and the show!
Very well-done! You're doing a great job of preserving the legacy of some of the most talented black people America has ever seen.
I missed seeing your videos and hearing your voice.
Sending love From NYC.
I was devastated when 'Fame' was cancelled on tv. It was a show about young people. I was 11-12yrs. old at the time in '82-3. Bruno was my Guy, and Nia Peoples and her Boyfriend...forget his name
Howard Hewitt
@@dabighomie613 no...they divorced. The boyfriend at the school.
@@callmemonkh9020 She dated both Danny and Jessie on the show. Loved that show.
Oh man I love all of your narrative videos. But, Thank You Sooooo much for this one. I loved Jean Anthony Ray and often wondered what happened to him.
He had a lot of heart and soul. I think he was really a down to earth person who kept it real. When he was getting popular on Fame and then became a celebrity he thought it would last forever and when the show ended and the dance tours ended he went into shock. He could not find work and got into the drugs and male escorting and that is what did him in.
How do you know this?
He has never worked as an escort.
I watched the show but i was young and don’t remember many details of the episodes I met Debbie Allen in college- i went to Duke and she was on campus. I ran into her at the main campus store. She was pleasant!
I often think of so many of our talented gay actors and talented artists who were in the closet, how far they would be today if they didn’t have to face the discrimination or lead double lives.
Right. I think about that too.
Exactly let them live there lives
Yes, it's truly heartbreaking. Glad the world is more accepting of people's choices now.
It's alot of em still in the closet today
This is my 3rd time watching this video back to back. Can't believe this talented brother died so young. I wish he was still here. 😪
I was a HUGE fan of Fame and I had a huge crush on Gene 😍😍 Such an amazing talent 🥰❤️🥰. Author: You did an EXCELLENT job on this story as always 🥰🥰🥰
I think the whole world had a crush on him, he was unbelievably talented, cute, and easy to fall in love with.... RIP Gene.
Leroy Johnson was ahead of his time man.
He probably would have been a choreographer & would have had his own dance company like Alvin Ailey.
Remember my name "FAME"!!!
I’m gonna live forever
Aside from the drugs and alcohol, losing his house probably caused a domino effect in his life.
I remember 2 separate episodes of Fame ,where Debbie Allen & Gene Anthony Ray had solo dance performances in the episode and they were both amazing!!
Debbie Allen made her television acting debut on Good times as Jimmie walker's fiancee. From Ms. Harper Stacey.
Tony Ray is what I called him. We grew up on the same block, 153rd st. 8th Ave. He once punched a guy in the face because he spiked a volleyball in my face! Tony was fierce! Love him!💟☦️ Sincerely, Crys, The Song 🕊🎶
I remember the show fame very well me and my mom would watch it faithfully. This youngman was a great dancer/actor he could dance with no problem too me he actually made the show because of his talents...
This was one of the best stories that you have done.
You did a fantastic job. I enjoyed every minute of it.💕
YES he needs to be in that hall of Fame. DAMN STRAIGHT.
Thanks for sharing his story.❤❤
Oh my gosh, even though I was a little on the young side when Fame was out, I simply loved Leroy. I had some rumors in how he died, but they were never really substantiated. Thank you for keeping his name alive. There will never be another Gene A. Ray. ❤️ 😍 💖 ❣️ 💕 💘
I grew up watching Fame always knew he was gay. It was obvious. Still a great show and loved him and all crew.
I always loved him on Fame. He was such a talent.
Thank you so much for this, Fame was one of my favorite TV shows. I didn't know Gene was fired from the series. He was in all six seaons including the very last episode. Maybe he was put on a suspension?
Yes
Wow it’s so cool to hear all the personal stories of people that met and knew him in the comments.
Wow bro your story telling skills are amazing im proud of you keep running it up im learning something new from everyone you research
Thank you for this biomentary about Gene Anthony Ray. A phenomenal talent. Rest in power.
Grew up in Harlem… went to school with his lil brother…. Wonder what happened to Nairobi? Yep memories of Harlemworldin the late 80’s. Tony Ray let you know what he was about and was very outspoken…..
This is one of the best pieces I have ever watched about this talented young man. Thank you for your hard work. You taught me so much this morning. Peace.
R.I.P. Brother Gene Anthony Ray!!!🌹🌹🌹❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏
Never disappointed with your vlogs, Lord not Grandma carrying and moving weight.. RIP to Gene Anthony Ray 🙏🏽 🕊
I love gene Anthony Ray he was one of the best dancers ever
Dancing was his whole life. Gene's whole family was involved with drugs. From Ms. Harper Stacey.
@@harperstacey9604 I know
Thank you for the video. I could watch The Iconic Gene Anthony Ray dance all day!!!! And he was very intelligent. And a naturally BEAUTIFUL Dancer!!!! And Fame was everything!! Thank you so much 🕺🏽🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵
Love ❤️ your show..keep doing your thing..
I just wanted to say your show is awesome.Your narration and detailed story telling is remarkable. I think your channel is needed.Wishing you all the best & many blessings in the future.
Much respect Mr.Ray 🙏 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Thank you for blessing us with your gift.
Definitely missed but never forgotten ❤
Well done. Gene Anthony Ray provided me with some of my favorite childhood television memories. I hope he is dancing above.
Love it 💯 he was a damn good dancer! ♥️ I watched FAME DAILY.... JANET JACKSON DID A FEW EPISODES THEN LEFT TO WK ON ALBUM "CONTROL"!!!! THE BEST SHOW AND MOVIE EVER! ♥️💯♥️
Was that after Different Strokes? She is such a doll. ❤️
@@dianaprince9311 after different strokes
I had no idea. Wow ❤️🌹
Gene Anthony Ray facts:
1. He definitely was talented dancer. A very raw and fierce dancer.
2. He was gay.
3. His family was HEAVY in the streets
4. He contracted HIV later in life.
5. A humble guy considering what he was going through.
6. "Leroy" and Gene Anthony you could say were the same person. Most of his lines were not written.
Great video bro