A Petition to the City of New York
Every Block Has a Hero.
This One Was Ours.
Harlem’s very own Gene Anthony Ray — Tony Ray — Leroy from Fame.
A global star who never stopped being a neighborhood hero.
1,050 of 500 signatures — help us reach our goal
Harlem, 1962
Born Feet First
Gene Anthony Ray came into this world at Harlem Hospital on May 24, 1962 — the son of Jean Elizabeth Ray and James Ray. He arrived feet first. His mother always said that meant one thing:
Gene grew up on 153rd Street between 8th Avenue and Macombs Place — the very block this petition seeks to name in his honor. He attended PS 46, then graduated to IS 10 on 149th and 7th Avenue. Everyone in the neighborhood knew the kid who couldn’t stop moving. Dancing was his language, and he spoke it everywhere — on stoops, at block parties, anywhere there was a beat and enough room to spin.
After winning every local dance competition he entered, Gene earned his way into the New York High School of the Performing Arts— the legendary institution that would later inspire the very film that made him famous. There, he sharpened raw street talent into disciplined artistry, learning the culture and craft of dance alongside some of the most gifted young performers in the city.
The Audition That Changed Everything
A Day Late. A Legend Early.
At 17 years old, Gene showed up to an open audition for a movie called “Hot Lunch” — a film that would later be renamed Fame. There was one problem: he was a day late. The auditions were closed. Every part had been cast.
Gene did the only thing he knew how to do. He begged them to let him dance. The producers shrugged — what could it hurt?— and gave him the floor.
When he finished, they didn’t just offer him a job. They gave him the lead role. Gene Anthony Ray became Leroy Johnson — the raw, magnetic, unapologetically gifted street dancer who became the soul of Fame.
Fame grossed over $42 million at the box office, won two Academy Awards, and spawned a television series that ran for six seasons and 136 episodes. The show won two Golden Globe Awards, produced UK Top 10 singles, and turned its cast into international superstars. Gene toured the world as part of “The Kids from Fame” — performing live concerts across Europe and beyond. The franchise pioneered the musical television drama genre, paving the way for shows like Glee, and its cultural influence — from legwarmers to headbands — defined 1980s youth culture worldwide.
Gene’s career extended beyond Leroy. He appeared on Broadway in Carrie: The Musical. He starred in Out-of-Sync, directed by his Fame co-star Debbie Allen. He choreographed and acted in Eddie alongside Whoopi Goldberg. He landed national commercials for Dr Pepper and Diet Coke. The world knew his name.
The Measure of a Man
He Could Have Gone Anywhere.
He Chose to Stay.
Through all his success — the Academy Awards, the world tours, the international celebrity — Gene Anthony Ray remained exactly who he had always been: a kid from 153rd Street.
He performed at neighborhood block parties like they were Madison Square Garden. He went into his own pockets to finance programs and ventures brought to him on behalf of the kids in his community. He didn’t write checks from a distance — he showed up. He was present. Always.
Gene gave up a penthouse apartment to live on the Lower East Side — closer to his childhood friends, closer to his roots. He chose stoops over spotlights. He chose Harlem over Hollywood. In doing so, he defined something that no award could ever capture:
Gene Anthony Ray passed away on November 14, 2003, at the age of 41. But his legacy — on screen and on the streets of Harlem — is permanent.
The Case for Co-Naming
Why 153rd Street
New York City has a proud tradition of honoring its cultural legends through honorary street co-namings. In Harlem alone, Cicely Tyson Way, Frederick Douglass Boulevard, and Isaac “Fatman Scoop” Freeman III Place stand as testaments to the people who shaped these blocks.
Gene Anthony Ray’s claim is as strong as any. He was born here. He was raised here. He became a global icon — the star of an Oscar-winning, Golden Globe–winning, internationally beloved franchise — and he chose to come back here. He invested in this community with his time, his money, and his presence until the very end.
153rd Street between 8th Avenue and Macombs Place isn’t just a location on a petition. It is where Gene Anthony Ray became who he was. It is the street that shaped a star — and the star who never stopped shaping it back.
Take Action
Sign the Petition
We are formally petitioning Manhattan Community Board 10 and the New York City Council to officially co-name 153rd Street between 8th Avenue and Macombs Place as:
Gene Anthony Ray Way
Join 1050 supporters who have signed
Roxanne S.
Supporter
Terri D.
Fan!
Kelly N.
Supporter
Isabel C.
I'm fan. He made me fall in love with dancing
Rain Q.
I’m a fan . Since I was a child in the 1980’s . Leroy was my favourite character on the show and left a great impression on me. He deserves this accolade.
Lucy M.
Supporter
Sarah D.
Supporter
Alexandra C.
Fan
Suzanne M.
Fan
Margarita E.
Fan
Joseph B.
Fan and actor
Steff S.
Supporter
Rossana C.
Supporter
Pamela W.
I’m a huge fan of the guy. He’s a dancing legend. I grew up with Fame, saw them in Edinburgh it was the highlight of my 80’s. He inspired me to dance.
Elena M.
Supporter
Christian B.
Supporter
Katherine S.
Supporter
Nicole P.
Supporter
Elsie A.
Fan and fellow New Yorker
Ava W.
Fan
Nikki B.
Supporter
Adrina J.
Supporter
Veronica M.
Dancer
Yvonne W.
Fan!
Jodi C.
Fan
Tisa M.
Supporter
Dria W.
Fan
Alessandra C.
I'm a fan.
Dhanya B.
Supporter
Simone J.
Supporter
Katherine W.
I'm gonna make it to heaven. Light up the sky like a flame! love Leroy!
TERESA S.
fan
Maura L.
Fan
Tracee R.
Supporter
Keesha P.
I’m a forever fan and this would be an amazing tribute to him and his Legacy.
Karen S.
Supporter
Jennifer B.
I am a ballroom participant, LGBTQ leader, and a dancer. The fact that I live one block away from where this street would be named I had to sign this petition.
Tawanna H.
Fan
Jane T.
Supporter
Judondi B.
A fan!!!
Danielle S.
I was a huge fan. I use to watch Fame as a little girl. My grandmother was also a huge fan
Nicole C.
Supporter
Carol D.
FAN
Tisha S.
Supporter
Oyatunde A.
I am a huge fan. His free spirit and elite dance skills changed the way I viewed art and New York. I will come to NY to see a street named after Gene Anthony Ray!!
Samantha T.
Supporter
Teresa G.
I’m a fan.
Lenore R.
Supporter
Barbara L.
I was a huge fan of FAME! He set the stage singing and dancing over cabs. His name should be indeed remembered
Chris S.
Supporter
Tamekka B.
Supporter
Julia M.
Grew up with the movie. It changed my life.
Patty H.
I’m a forever FAME fan!
Jodi L.
Supporter
Hannatu A.
Supporter
Erica R.
Supporter
Monique B.
A fan that watched the hit television show "Fame".
Jemel D.
Fan
Lynne M.
Fellow Harlemite and fan
Shamika D.
Huge Fan
Connie H.
Supporter
naomi C.
Supporter
Laura
I watched Gene on Fame as a young person and loved his dancing and acting! He deserves this recognition!
Keil
Supporter
Dana K.
Gene and Fame made a huge impact on me in high school days
Tenna T.
Supporter
Diane R.
Supporter
Karen H.
Supporter
Mary C.
FAN
Samantha B.
I am an ex-New Yorker, a fan, and a supporter. I absolutely loved him in both the movie and television show Fame.
Tiffany D.
Supporter
Sharon R.
Fan
Maria L.
Supporter
Clare C.
Supporter
Valentina I.
Supporter
Julie R.
Supporter
Sonya K.
Supporter
cecile M.
I'm just an ex-New Yorker who knows and witnessed his contributions to the Harlem Community.
Jasmine S.
Big fan
Toni F.
I’m a fan that grew up watching him on TV (I’m a 80s baby). My family knew him. Howell Family 💋❤️
Teewana L.
Supporter
Sudaro L.
Supporter
Raymond C.
Supporter
Elaine P.
Absolute icon of Fame. Made me want to go into dance as a career
Amy R.
Fan
Geri M.
I’m a fan who vividly remembers watching Fame in the movie theater as a kid, seeing Gene Anthony Ray completely steal his very first scene, and being a fan of his from that moment on.
Majestik E.
New Fan
Jennifer B.
Fan
Charlotte D.
Supporter
Kimberly B.
Supporter
Aileen M.
I was a fame fan as a young child!
Sandy C.
Supporter
Holly L.
Supporter
Tiffany M.
Fan
LaJuana E.
As a long time fan of Fame, I loved how you got to see Leroy (Gene Anthony) grow in his role from student to teacher. It showed us how we could be more than our circumstances.
Amiris C.
A former harlem resident who watched Fame as a kid who was always proud to see him on tv.
Sharon H.
I grew up with him and his family in Harlem . I lived 2 buildings over . He even helped teach me how to dance . Our hometown was so happy when he landed on FAME . Even though God called him home , Tony Ray will NEVER BE GOTTEN. HARLEM STILL LOVES HIM ❤️
Clair W.
Supporter
Melody J.
Supporter
Graciela B.
Supporter
Your information will only be used in support of this petition and will be submitted alongside community signatures to Manhattan Community Board 10 and the NYC City Council.