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

There would be no FAME without Gene Anthony Ray .

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.

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

Debbie Allen loved this young man so much. I can't believe he and Irene are gone. May they Rest In Peace 💜

He was outstanding in that role.

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.

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

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.

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. Thanks! for waking up beautiful memories…. ❤ 🔔 🎊 🎈 🎉 🎈

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

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!

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

One of my biggest dance inspirations. Rest easy, Gene!

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.

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😊

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. ❤❤❤

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 💜🕊️

Gene Anthony Ray will always have a special place in my heart because his character Leroy gave me an abundance of joy when he danced on the show fame. No more struggles with life, may he continue to Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.

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 😊❤️🌹

I missed you Leroy Johnson ❤😢

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🎶🕊💟☦️

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⭐

He will ALWAYS be ICONIC! Rest in Power Gene Anthony Ray...

Gene was amazing. May he rest in peace.

He was a really good actor. ❤ RIP

That NASTY Leroy audition in the movie is unmatched to this day. He was magical. ❤

Gene was a fantastic, fantastic dancer. He and Debbie were the best in the series. It was a pleasure to see him dance ❤

He was so handsome, sooooooo talented OMG 😩😭💔... But so very volatile 😩... When I was a child in France, FAME was broadcasted on the first nationsl TV channel TF1 in 1982, every saturday afternoon. We d never miss it and would also watch all re runs religiously... I learnt of his passing years after it happened and it broke my heart... Still does. He was in pieces inside, tormented, in pain. He fought fought fought but it was stronger than him. So gut wrenching! SMH 😰...

He was easily the standout. So much talent. RIP.

This is a beautiful tribute to such a tragic life!

Look at how young & vibrant GAR is! What a BEAUTIFUL physique!! 😍 This is a well-done tribute to a dancer extraordinaire. I'm so sorry he had these woes and was taken from us so soon...

This story is heartbreaking. All I could think about while watching was, this is an example of generational trauma. That even this great of a talent couldn’t break out of the tsunami of mental and emotional damage his entire family drowned in. I knew so many with the same. People with huge talent, but were drowned out with trauma.

I loved watching Fame as a teen. This is so sad to know about him. I got the same feeling learning that and how Wheels ( Niel Hope ) from Degrassi Junior High had died. I hope they both knew that their talents brought a lot of joy to so many.

A sad ending for such a handsome, beautiful, talented man. I'll always remember "Fame the movie" and the TV series. Unfortunately shows like this are no longer created, which is also a sad thing.

I loved Leroy!! One of my all time fav shows. Then Janet Jackson came on and it could not get any better!❤

Me a nobody got to dance with him at a club in NY named the Limelight, in the late 80s. I’m 63 now. It was a highlight of my life. I was just doing my thing and felt someone dancing with me and it was Leroy. Couldn’t tell me sh!+. I loved to dance and had no problem dancing by myself all night or should I say all morning long. Great times.😂👍🏽🤣💃🎊👌RIP Leroy, loved watching him in Fame. Debbie Allen is my idol. Got to meet her as well.

I grew up with Gene. We shared many classes, and he was always a pleasure to be around. He used to often appear on the show Wonderama. It came as no surprise that he ended up being famous. I remember when his family was busted for selling drugs. Unfortunately, that was the beginning of the end for him.

Gene was so gifted. I will always remember him.

I cannot believe that at this moment I am only just hearing about him passing. How sad and what a shock. I had imagined he had just retired to a quiet life somewhere. I had no idea that he was having drug issues. Not many of us got out alive from that era. At that time I was dancing and performing with a band or two and we all were obsessed with Fame. And as much so with him

Was so good - crushed on him. Loved his rebelliousness and zest. Fame wouldn't have been the same.

I will always have deep fondness for Gene I loved his style and personality in fame. Gone too soon 💜💕

Such a sad story and such an incredibly gifted soul he was. Even at a young age, I knew that his acting came from real life experiences. Thank you for covering his story, I learned details I didn't know yet. I hope he found peace 🤍🙏🤍

My biggest crush on TV as a kid and teen was Leroy. This breaks my heart how he struggled. His mum’s sentence was a BLM issue in my opinion and far too high. Gene i‘ll always remember your amazing soirit that shone through the screen to me in Denmark. Thank you ❤ Rest in peace, dance and power up there ✊🏾

I absolutely loved “Fame.”The dancing was incredible. Gene was a phenomenal dancer. I think Debbie Allen had the hots for him(😊). She was always all over him. He was gorgeous and gifted. So sad the way his life withered away.

I loved the movie and was obsessed with the TV show for the first few years it was on. Love Gene Anthony Ray. His talent as a dancer was so inspiring. So sad that he passed so young.

I grew up watching this show. He was a very talented and charismatic force on screen. He brought the world a lot of joy. Rest in power!

So so very sad 😢. I grew up watching Fame as a kid ( and I was also put in dance very young) And I had no desire to be like any of the girl dancers on the show, but man, I wanted to BE Leroy!

OMG...I had no idea he left us😔😔. Leroy was my absolute favorite character on Fame. Definitely a force to be reckoned with. Rest In Peace🙏🏾🙏🏾

He was sooooo FABULOUS in Fame.

Oh man what memories that brings up of my childhood.loved fame

Same with one of my favorite TV shows when I was a kid and he was the most memorable character from that show. Whenever I think of Fame he's the first person I think of dancing his heart out for Debbie Allen!

The epitome of "raw, natural talent" and such a good looking kid. May he continue to rest in peace.

He was an amazing dancer for sure. One of the greatest in the world. 🙏🏽😍😇💗💗💗

Gene was an amazing dancer. I used to rush home from school to watch Fame. Loved it so much ❤👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

He was the first TV personality I had a crush on. I know he had a hard life, and has passed (way too early), but I still think he is amazing and hot. His spirit is quite radiant and transcendent. Rest in peace Gene (Leroy). You were an inspiration to many.

Loved watching Fame here in Ireland with my parents, and siblings all those years ago. Loved Leroy and the Cast members. Its extremely sad that Fame brought him such sadness ,and his disfunctionable family members. Addiction is a curse. May he Rest in peace. Regards from Ireland 🇮🇪 💚

He was truly blessed. I watched all the episodes. Loved that show.

Gene was wonderful on screen and stage and there hasn't been a male talent dancing like this since him. The world was his Oster. FAME was tops. No show afterwards nor any of the current dance shows can compete with the shows phenomena, Debbie Allen and Gene were the primary reason for that. Hopefully messages like this will be enough for other to take he.d and just leave the drug world alone.

Thank you for clearing that up about his health. Sometimes people are quick to make assumptions. He was a very talented young man. Such a tragedy that he couldn't overcome the demons in his life. May he rest in peace 🙏🏽

Sorry to hear of Gene's passing. He really was talented. I remember watching Fame when I was younger and loved the show. It's unfortunate that he had so many struggles afterward. R.I.P. Gene

He was so talented!💜

a amazing star im in uk when fame came out i was 8 i had all the fame sticker books posters lunch boxes album i won a talent show singing fame god bless you gene never forgottonxxxxxxxxx

I’m a 53 woman from the U.K., I loved this show and I adored him. In the U.K. this programme was huge and I had both Kids from Fame tapes which I played constantly on my Walkman…. Broke my heart what happened to him… RIP…

He was an outstanding dancer. Im sorry he didn't live to fulfill his dreams. He was a talented, dancer & actor. RIP Gene Anthony Ray.🙌🏽🪽🪷🕊🙏🏽

Gene will always be my favorite from FAME!!! R. I. P. Sir!!!

He was electrifying. So sad about the drugs, health and other issues that hampered what could have been a fabulous, long life and career. But for a little while, whenever he was dancing, one couldn't take our eyes off him. I'd like to think that he's now at peace, dancing away for the angels.

He was such a lovely young man. When you saw him in the street he would be happy to chat. A real Star at heart.❤

He was my favorite! He was so talented ❤

Such a great actor/dancer! R. I. H.

I remain in awe of his talent. I think dance frees a person and he could fly.

Used to watch this as a kid in Scotland in the early eighties. Leroy was my favourite character and I have to say, Gene Anthony Ray was a brilliant dancer. RIP Gene.

I’ve always felt a special connection to Gene Anthony Ray. From a little kid to my young adult yrs, I always heard, “ you look just like the guy from fame”, especially when I went to NY! RIP bro!

Fame was huge in Spain too and Leroy was one of the most charismatic characters.

One of my favorite actors. The Fame series is unforgettable. Rest with God Gene Antony Ray

He was a beautiful looking man. RIP 😘

Watching this, my heart beat so quickly. I thought it would bring me joy, but as I reminisced, it made me sad. We went to high school together. The last time that I saw him, he was so very different. I'm going to take some time to think about the joyous times.

Growing up with my sisters and brothers always couldn't wait to see Leroy on fame miss the 80s

Rest in peace Gene Anthony Ray 🙏

One of my favorite films ever. From the time it came out to this very day where it still holds up. I’m sad that he’s gone. He made a huge impact on me.

What a wonderful talent. If this had happened in this time, he would have received more support. His mother and grandma's issues would have effected him deeply. He did amazingly well to get as far as he did with such a disadvantage due to family addiction. That is talent. Respect and thanks to him for giving me hope as a child. He was amazing and his dancing and vibe were stunning.

I loved the movie, the tv series, and the soundtrack. Gene was one of my favorite characters on both TV and in the movie. I had heard rumors about his life after the show but didn't know how tragic it was. RIP Gene, may you continue to dance as graceful in heaven as you did no Earth.

Gene was a beloved artist and so talented. He was a magnificent dancer & we would watch him as kids with such awe! RIP Gene. 💯🌟🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

I was 13 when fame came out and i thought leroy was super fine....that dance scene was iconic

He was the finest man ever!

Gene Anthony Ray: Gone but never forgotten 💕

This documentary was done with great care and repect for Gene Anthony Ray. He was a fabulous dancer and I also enjoyed his acting. Wonderful actor. May he continue to Rest in Peace.

I'm surprised that the series wasn't as publicized as I thought it was...I remember the show and ALL the actors who made it what it was. How unfortunate for Gene...absolutely sad that he had no one to turn to...to look out for him and be a support to him. Being in the spotlight comes with a side of insensitivity and lack of emotion and sometimes the only time people hear about you...is when your in the negative. I hope and pray that during his last hours...that he was surrounded by friends and family who loved him. RIP

Amazing talent. Glad he shared it with us.

So much talent. God Bless 🙏🏿🙏🏿❤️

How sad such a handsome and talented man forever ingrained in my childhood memories RIP Gene 🙏 ❤

Wow. I always wondered what happened to him. He was so gifted...sometimes gifted people have a hard time laser focusing ways to get where they want to be when their plans and connections fail them. But he isn't bound by human disappointment any longer. He was never as big in lights as he should have been, but he has made his mark none the less.

R.I.P Leroy may you dance in heaven ever more,.May the pain and struggles you faced on this earth be no more.

Gene was a awesome Dancer he was born to Dance and Act sad very sad he left us so early in life RIP my young Brotha ❤

The movie and tv show were both favorites of mine and of course so was Gene. He was a powerful dancer; very gifted. May he continue to RIP.

Incredible artist. You blessed America with your talent!

He performed "Wind Beneath my Wings" at my church in Van Nuys. One of my fave memories of my L.A. days.

I never liked fame but this just touched me to go back and watch

Wow Gene is a truly amazing and unforgettable person!

He was amazing the show Fame was a blessing to my childhood