Born on May 24, 1962, in Harlem. Attended Julia Richmond High School. He performed in a dance class there and later auditioned for Louis Falco, the choreographer for the film "Fame." Actually attended New York's High School of the Performing Arts for a year before being kicked out. He was therefore perfectly cast as Leroy in the film, which won Academy Awards for best song and original score. Like his character in the film, Ray had never had professional dance training but had an abundance of raw talent. In 1982 he toured Britain, to perform with other "Fame" cast members in 10 concerts. "The Kids From Fame," a television special about the tour, was broadcast in the United States a year later.


In real life, he was expelled from the New York School for the Performing Arts where the series was set. Known for his wild, rebellious character Leroy in the TV series "Fame," the similarly-styled Gene attended New York's High School of the Performing Arts, but dropped out after a year due to the strict discipline. He was HIV-positive at the time he suffered a stroke in June, 2003. He died a few months later on November 14. According to Selma Rubin, who managed him for 24 years, his last video project is a one-hour BBC "Fame" reunion documentary, "Fame Remember My Name," which was taped in Los Angeles in April 2003 which aired shortly after his death in the United Kingdom.