Actor Gene Anthony Ray denies health rumors

Jet, April 11, 1994

Actor/dancer Gene Anthony Ray, who starred in the long-running "Fame" series in the 1980s, recently denied rumors of AIDS illness.

At Debbie Allen's post-Oscar party in Hollywood, Ray told Jet that not only have there been rumors that he has AIDS, but some had reported that he actually died of the disease. "That's a complete lie," he said. He went so far as to open his shirt and show his buffed chest as proof of his health.

He said he basically left Hollywood around 1986 when "Fame" went off the air and divided his time between Europe and New York City, getting various jobs there.

Ray, now 31, said he will appear in an upcoming movie with rapper-turned-actor LL Cool J that is scheduled to be directed by Debbie Allen. Ms. Allen also worked with Ray on "Fame."