Gene Anthony Ray:The Story of Dance Icon "LEROY JOHNSON" "FAME"

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 6 апр 2023
  • This video is a celebration of the life and legacy of Gene Anthony Ray, an artist whose influence continues to be felt in the world of dance today.
    From his humble beginnings on the streets of New York to his rise to popularity as the star of the hit TV show "Fame," Gene's story is one of perseverance, passion, and talent.

Комментарии • 853

  • @Trini4th
    @Trini4th Год назад +997

    Gene was my cousin he was very loving caring and misunderstood. We miss and love him very much.

  • @stacyhackney6100
    @stacyhackney6100 Год назад +426

    He was outstanding in that role.

  • @noeraldinkabam
    @noeraldinkabam Год назад +232

    Somebody you haven’t seen or thought about in over 40 years and the second you hear ‘Leroy’ it all comes rushing back. Yeah, he made an impression.

  • @LisaLisa-2023
    @LisaLisa-2023 Год назад +487

    I remember FAME like it was yesterday. And I remember the most extraordinary character on that show portrayed by Gene Anthony Ray. This documentary depicted an enormous talent with courage and fierce determination. Gene Ray was a true gift. I was saddened to hear about how his life ended. But we will always remember his name. Rest in peace.

  • @wendyburke2210
    @wendyburke2210 Год назад +242

    There would be no FAME without Gene Anthony Ray .

  • @paulchezkari6952
    @paulchezkari6952 Год назад +350

    I remember his fierce dancing, he was so gifted 🎉🎉🎉🎉

  • @pinkyjohns5198
    @pinkyjohns5198 Год назад +198

    Met him once at a club and actually danced with him! He was the nicest celeb I ever met. No arrogance, just a down-to-earth human being!

  • @michaeldemocko443
    @michaeldemocko443 Год назад +97

    I knew Gene; I met him while working for Princess Cruises in the mid 90's. He was a complicated human being, but he was incredibly kind and he was a blast to be around. I learned of his death by a ticker on a 24 hour news program. I will never forget his positive spirit and sense of humor.

  • @robinp13946
    @robinp13946 Год назад +75

    I grew up with him and his family. Harlem is my home and I’m so proud of that! Yes it was rough this was during the crack era and a lot of good people was lost! RIP Leroy😊

  • @rudeboyranking642
    @rudeboyranking642 Год назад +62

    His presence alone was fierce and his dancing was even fiercer…RIP Leroy Johnson

  • @sparkle3000
    @sparkle3000 Год назад +365

    Debbie Allen loved this young man so much.

  • @Mondo1Bongo
    @Mondo1Bongo Год назад +18

    His funeral was a turn out… so many in show business attended, so many young gay’s from our Harlem neighborhoods passed during that time, including my son… it was way before that first vaccine was available… a couple of funerals I attended… he performed, I can still see him dancing to the choir music at one of them… there were balloons as someone recited beautiful words of parting… it was a celebration of life… much later after my son passed I remember seeing him one night and he just walked over and hugged me… that hug was worth a million words! Tony!! a talented and loving worrier… they all were.

  • @lornakennedy7412
    @lornakennedy7412 Год назад +69

    I am so sorry things turned out the way they did. He had so much talent.

  • @kee5428
    @kee5428 Год назад +26

    I was walking down the street in Manhattan, near 52nd St & 5th Avenue (where ever the big library is) back in the 90s and happened to have been looking down toward the ground. I soon heard "Keep Your Head Up" and turned to see who said it. Well, it was none other than the man I had a huge crush on, Gene Anthony Ray. I did not want to disturb him as he continued walking, so we both continued on our way. I, on the other hand, had a fantastic rest of my day because of him. I could not believe what I just experienced. I smiled all day. And as you can see, 20+ years later how impactful it was to me. What an inspiring thing to say, thank you, Mr. Gene Anthony Ray. I wish I had stopped you to let you just how gorgeous I thought you were.

  • @Auntkekebaby
    @Auntkekebaby Год назад +36

    Gene is one of the reasons why I became a dancer.

  • @kaseyb.4440
    @kaseyb.4440 Год назад +178

    This made me weep!! Fame was one the shows I loved when I was younger. I just appreciate how gentle the telling of his life was. This wasn’t demeaning or derogatory in any way. Though it was a lot of hard truth, it was still compassionate. ❤❤❤

  • @furrymonkeything
    @furrymonkeything Год назад +123

    It's hard to imagine the impact the movie had at the time. It was phenomenal and cool. So many people took up dancing. It was the era of the leg warmer ,even if you didn't dance. In the song by Irene Cara ,who sadly has passed too. The words were "Fame ,I'm gonna live forever, I'm gonna learn how to fly Im Gonna light up the sky like a flame " they certainly did . May they rest in peace 😢. The series was such a success here in the UK 🇬🇧 I bought the music tapes that came out with it. The songs were really good for a TV series. The song "fame" is outstanding, vocally tricky to sing (i know I use to sing it) 😁 not forgetting that lead guitar part🎸. What a time that was 😊❤️🌹

  • @FlyLikeDove
    @FlyLikeDove Год назад +98

    I was only 13 when the movie came out, and I had THE biggest crush on him. The TV series was so good! Such a tragic loss of a timeless talent 💜🕊️

  • @crystalvspivey-briggs7959
    @crystalvspivey-briggs7959 Год назад +72

    Tony, as we called him, grew up on the same block, 153rd between 8th & Macombs Place, Harlem, NY. Drove me nearly insane but I loved him and still do. He beat a guy up for me because whilst playing volley ball, the guy spiked me in the face, causing my nose to bleed! Very talented… He danced and I sang and danced at the 153rd Street block parties. I cried at his service.😭Love, Crys, The Song🎶🕊💟☦️

  • @mikemenelik8193

    Anytime I hear the name "Leroy" , I think about Leroy Johnson ! I was a huge fan of "FAME" in the 80s - ´til this day . 🌿RIP Gene⭐