May 24
Born Today:
Gene Anthony Ray
Dancer Gene Anthony Ray (1962-2003) wowed audiences in the movie Fame (1980) as Leroy, a character whose life mirrored his own, and he joined several of the original cast members for the TV spin-off show, which ran from 1982-1987. Ray began his dance training the way many artists do - by watching talented dancers in the streets and at block parties. He briefly studied at a performing arts high school and skipped school to audition for Louis Falco (1942-1993), the choreographer for the movie. Ray starred in the short-running musical version of Carrie (1988) on Broadway and he appeared in a few other films including Austin Powers: Goldmember (2002). He died way too soon after a pretty tough life - his last project was a reunion documentary for the stars of Fame.
Also Born Today: Ballet dancer and choreographer Vittorio Biagi (1941-) studied at La Scala in Italy and danced with Maurice Bejart (1927-2007) in the 1950s and later headed several European dance companies.