(1010 WINS) (New York) – Gene Anthony Ray, an actor and dancer best known for his roles in the 1980 movie Fame'' and its spin-off television series, died Friday in Manhattan. He was 41. His mother says Ray died of complications from a stroke he had in June. He also was H-I-V positive. Ray attended New York's High School of the Performing Arts, but he dropped out after a year. Ray returned to the role of Leroy for the Fame’’ television series, which ran from 1982 to 1987. He went on to appear in the films Out of Sync'' (1995) and Eddie’’ (1996), starring Whoopi Goldberg. Ray appears in a Fame'' reunion documentary, Fame Remember My Name,’’ which was taped in April 2003 for the B-B-C but has not yet aired.
Is it bad that I couldn’t remember his name?
I remember crushing on him back in the early '80s, but I know he had a lot of trouble with drugs soon afterwards. What a shame.
Second best thread title of the year. Wonderful.
(My #1 is still "Pirates of the Caribbean - it’s rated Arrrrrrrr!)
Sad news. He was a very talented dancer.
Didn’t he have a background story similar to Leroy’s - got himself out of the ghetto via dance?
I was just the right age to think that Fame was the best thing ever when it was on TV. RIP Gene. 
In an odd coincidence, my school starts running its own version of Fame tomorrow. Hmm.
He was the best part of Fame, both the movie and the series. He had raw and intense acting skills that comes from real life.
Sorry but i’m still pissing myself with laughter at the title…classic.
Sad indeed. But painfully funny thread title.