FAME - FAME STAR DIES AGED 41

FAME actor GENE ANTHONY RAY has died in New York aged 41, following complications from a stroke he suffered in June (03).

Ray - who was also HIV positive when he passed away - is best known for his role as rebellious LEROY in the hit 1980 movie and its spin-off TV series, which ran between 1982 and 1987.

Like his Fame character, Ray attended the city's HIGH SCHOOL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS before dropping out after a year.