Ray (2004)
Coming Out at 29 October 2004 in theaters.
Biography, Drama, Music
Ray is biographical film focusing on 30 years in the life of rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles. The independently produced film was written, produced, and directed by Taylor Hackford, and stars Jamie Foxx in the title role. It received critical acclaim and was a box office success. Foxx received an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance as well as the Golden Globe, BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild, and Critics’ Choice awards, becoming the second actor to win all five major lead actor awards for the same performance, and the only one to win the Golden Globe in the Musical or Comedy (rather than the Drama) category.
Charles was set to attend an opening of the completed film, but died of liver disease in June 2004, months prior to the premiere.
Raised on a sharecropping plantation in Northern Florida, Ray Charles Robinson went blind at the age of seven, shortly after witnessing his younger brother drown. Inspired by a fiercely independent mother who insisted he make his own way in the world, Charles found his calling and his gift behind a piano keyboard. Touring across the chitlin circuit, the soulful singer gained a reputation before exploding onto the worldwide stage when he pioneered the incorporation of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, gospel, country, jazz and orchestral influences into his inimitable style.
Director: Taylor Hackford
Writers: Taylor Hackford, James L. White
Stars: Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington, Clifton Powell, Harry Lennix, Bokeem Woodbine
Cast:
| Jamie Foxx | … | Ray Charles |
| Kerry Washington | … | Della Bea Robinson |
| Regina King | … | Margie Hendricks |
| Clifton Powell | … | Jeff Brown |
| Harry Lennix | … | Joe Adams |
| Bokeem Woodbine | … | Fathead Newman |
| Aunjanue Ellis | … | Mary Ann Fisher |
| Sharon Warren | … | Aretha Robinson |
| C.J. Sanders | … | Young Ray Robinson |
| Curtis Armstrong | … | Ahmet Ertegun |
| Richard Schiff | … | Jerry Wexler |
| Larenz Tate | … | Quincy Jones |
| Terrence Howard | … | Gossie McGee |
| David Krumholtz | … | Milt Shaw |
| Wendell Pierce | … | Wilbur Brassfield |
| Chris Thomas King | … | Lowell Fulson |
| Thomas Jefferson Byrd | … | Jimmy |
| Rick Gomez | … | Tom Dowd |
| Denise Dowse | … | Marlene |
| Warwick Davis | … | Oberon |
| Patrick Bauchau | … | Dr. Hacker |
| Robert Wisdom | … | Jack Lauderdale |
| Kurt Fuller | … | Sam Clark |
| Julian Bond | … | Self |
| Kimberly J. Ardison | … | Ethel McRae |
| Renee Wilson | … | Pat Lyle |
| Willie Metcalf | … | Mr. Pitt |
| Mike Pniewski | … | Bus Driver |
| Terrone Bell | … | Young George Robinson |
| Richard A. Smith | … | Til |
| Gary Grubbs | … | Billy Ray |
| Carol Sutton | … | Eula |
| Bill Breaux | … | Cop #1 |
| Alex Van | … | Cop #2 |
| Roland Bob Harris | … | Jesse Stone |
| Tom Clark | … | Alan Freed |
| Afemo Omilami | … | Angry Husband |
| Elizabeth Omilami | … | Angry Wife |
| Vernel Bagneris | … | Dancin’ Al |
| Fahnlohnee R. Harris | … | Trudy Daniels |
| Michael Travis Stone | … | Robert |
| Eric O’Neal Jr. | … | Ray Charles Jr. – 5-6 Yrs. |
| Tequan Richmond | … | Ray Charles Jr. – 9-10 Yrs. |
| Matthew Benjamin | … | Musician in Billy Ray’s |
| John Swasey | … | Customs Agent #1 |
| James Huston | … | Customs Agent #2 |
| Marc Lynn | … | Downbeat Reporter |
| Kyle Scott Jackson | … | King Bee |
| J. Todd Smith | … | Student Reporter |
| Rutherford Cravens | … | White Promoter |
| Darnell Rhea | … | Fast Girl |
| Jedda Jones | … | Mercedes |
| Jeff Galpin | … | Cop #3 |
| Michael Arata | … | Cop #4 |
| Estella Denson | … | Lady in Rain |
| Johnny O’Neill | … | Art Tatum Piano Interpretations |
| Jamil Sharif | … | Ray’s Band – 1st Trumpet |
| Edward Anderson | … | Ray’s Band – 2nd Trumpet |
| Alonzo Bowens | … | Ray’s Band – Alto Saxophone |
| Clarence Johnson | … | Ray’s Band – Baritone Saxophone |
| Edwin Livingston | … | Ray’s Band – Bass |
| Herman LeBeaux | … | Ray’s Band – Drums |
| Raymond Webber | … | Lowell Fulson’s Band – Drums |
| Joey Alonzo | … | Reporter |
| Joseph Buttler | … | Studio Engineer |
| Ray Charles | … | (archive footage) |
| Carrie Daniel | … | Featured Dancer |
| James J. Duhon | … | Protester |
| Tobi Gadison | … | Paul |
| Larry Gamell Jr. | … | Bouncer |
| Carlos Gonzalez | … | Sound Booth Tech |
| Rusty Gregoire | … | Passenger |
| Justin Groetsch | … | Fan |
| Gene Kevin Hames Jr. | … | Legislator |
| Trae Ireland | … | Neighbor |
| Summer LeAnn | … | Beach Dancer |
| Benee Leavy | … | Violinist for ‘Georgia On My Mind’ |
| Chris Love | … | Jazz musician |
| Murphy Martin | … | Fan |
| Jonathan McIntosh | … | Reporter |
| Darlene Moore | … | Airline Stewardess |
| Paula Jai Parker | … | Ruth Brown |
| Karen Pritchett | … | Concert Go’er |
| Ben Pronsky | … | Southern Marine |
| Carlos Rivero | … | Custom Agent |
| Sonny Shroyer | … | Gov. Jimmie Davis |
| Curt Sobel | … | Conductor |
| Thomas Sobel | … | Sam Clark’s Assistant |
| Clif St. Laurent | … | Protestor |
| Avery White | … | Bar Owner |
| Travis Willingham | … | Northern Marine |
| Don Yesso | … | State Policeman |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia
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