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Ray Charles

Actor

Ray Charles

  • Born: 23 September 1930, Albany, Georgia, USA
  • Estimated net worth: $75 million

Ray Charles was a legendary American singer, songwriter, and musician known for his unique blend of soul, R&B, and gospel music. He gained fame with hits like "Hit the Road Jack" and "Georgia on My Mind." Charles was celebrated for his powerful voice and…

About Ray Charles

Ray Charles was a legendary American singer, songwriter, and musician known for his unique blend of soul, R&B, and gospel music. He gained fame with hits like "Hit the Road Jack" and "Georgia on My Mind." Charles was celebrated for his powerful voice and emotional delivery, and he is often regarded as one of the greatest musical influences of the 20th century.

Born
23 September 1930, Albany, Georgia, USA
Died
10 June 2004
Known for
Acting
Height
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Spouses
Della Beatrice Howard Robinson (1955-1966)
Children
3 children: Ray Charles Robinson Jr., David Robinson, and Regina Robinson
Parents
Aretha Robinson, Bailey Robinson
Estimated net worth
$75 million

Fun facts about Ray Charles

  • Ray Charles was blind by the age of seven due to glaucoma, yet he became a master pianist and performer.
  • He was known for his signature sunglasses, which he wore to help maintain his privacy while performing.

Famous Ray Charles quotes

“I never wanted to be famous. I only wanted to be great.”
Ray (2004)
“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”
Ray (2004)
“I just want to be myself.”
Ray (2004)

Ray Charles filmography

Cast (126)

YearTitleCharacterRating
2025Quincy Jones, Music Man MovieSelf (archive footage)9.0
2025Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music MovieSelf (archive footage)7.7
2025Merci Dorothée ! MovieSelf (archive footage)7.2
2024The Greatest Night in Pop MovieSelf (archive footage)7.9
2023They All Came Out to Montreux MovieSelf (archive footage)7.0
2023Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan MovieSelf (archive footage)6.9
2023Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love MovieSelf (archive footage) (uncredited)8.2
2022Piano Greats at the BBC MovieSelf (archive footage)7.7
20222022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony MovieSelf (archive footage)8.2
2022Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues MovieSelf (archive footage)6.7
Show 116 more credits
YearTitleCharacterRating
2022Rat Pack MovieSelf (archive footage)9.0
2021Like a Rolling Stone: The Life & Times of Ben Fong-Torres MovieSelf (archival footage)7.3
2014Face of Unity MovieSelf
2013Cachitos de hierro y cromo TVSelf (archive footage)7.7
2012Jazzline - Ray Charles & Orchestra MovieSelf
2011Ray Charles - Live in France 1961 MovieSelf7.2
2009O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar MovieSelf (archive footage)
2008Ray Charles: Live At Montreux 1997 MovieSelf6.9
2008Jazz Evolution MovieSelf - Piano, Vocals6.0
2008Ray Charles: The Legend Lives On MovieSelf
2007Atlantic Records: The House That Ahmet Built MovieSelf7.0
2007Rolling With the Blues MovieSelf (archive footage)
2007Fats Domino: Walking to New Orleans MovieSelf7.0
2007Glen Campbell | Good Times Again MovieSelf9.0
2007Fats and Friends MovieSelf9.0
2006Ray Charles: Live at the Olympia MovieSelf
2006Ray Charles with the Voices of Jubilation Choir MovieSelf
2006Burt Sugarman's The Midnight Special: 1976 MovieSelf
2005The Blues Brothers: Transposing The Music MovieSelf (archive footage)
2005Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music TVSelf8.0
2004Ray Charles: O-Genio - Live In Brazil 1963 MovieSelf4.2
2004Ray Charles: Soul of the Holy Land MovieSelf7.0
2004Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company MovieSelf
2004Tom Dowd & The Language of Music MovieSelf7.4
2004Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues MovieSelf (archive footage)7.0
2004Rockin' Pianos MovieSelf
2004TV in Black: The First Fifty Years MovieSelf (archive footage)5.3
2003Piano Blues MovieSelf6.5
2003The Blues TVSelf7.5
2003Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin' MovieSelf9.0
2002The Willie Nelson Special - With Special Guest Ray Charles MovieSelf8.5
2002CMT Crossroads TVSelf8.0
2002Ray Charles: Live: Montreux Jazz Festival MovieSelf
2001Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration MovieSelf8.0
2001Star Academy TVSelf5.7
2001Ray Charles - In Concert MovieSelf
2001The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter - Volume 2 MovieSelf (archive footage)
2001The Best of Bob Hope: 50 Years of Laughter - Volume 1 MovieSelf (archive footage)
2000Blue's Big Musical Movie MovieG-Clef (voice)8.3
1998Quincy Jones... The First 50 Years MovieSelf
1996Saturday Live TVSelf
1996Spy Hard MovieBusdriver5.4
1995Sinatra: 80 Years My Way MovieSelf - Performer
1994The World of Jim Henson MovieSelf (archive footage)7.4
1994Love Affair MovieSelf5.5
1994Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! MovieSelf (archive footage)7.0
1994Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice MovieUnknown character10.0
1993The Nanny TVSammy8.1
1993Sesame Street's 25th Birthday: A Musical Celebration MovieSelf (segment "Monster in the Mirror")7.0
1993The John Larroquette Show TVRay Charles6.9
1993Willie Nelson: The Big Six-O MovieSelf8.0
1991A Party For Richard Pryor MovieSelf8.3
1991Montreux Jazz Festival 1991 MovieSelf
1990Lennon: A Tribute MovieUnknown character
1990The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson MovieSelf6.8
1990Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones MovieSelf8.0
1990Wings TVRay Charles6.9
1989Limit Up MovieJulius4.5
1989Sesame Street: 20 Years & Still Counting! 1969-1989 MovieSelf7.2
1989Legends of Rock 'n' Roll MovieRay Charles9.0
1988Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration MovieSelf8.0
1987Téléthon TVSelf5.0
1987Super Dave TVSelf6.6
1987Le monde est à vous TVSelf (archive footage)
1987Sacrée soirée TVSelf5.7
1987The Beach Boys: 25 Years Together - A Celebration In Waikiki MovieSelf
1986Billy Joel: Building the Bridge MovieSelf
1986The Muppets: A Celebration of 30 Years MovieSelf (archive footage)6.1
1985Victoires de la musique TVSelf3.3
1985The Statue of Liberty MovieSelf - Composer6.9
1985Moonlighting TVRay Charles7.5
1985We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song MovieSelf8.4
1984Who's the Boss? TVRay Charles7.4
1984Salute to Lady Liberty MovieUnknown character
1984I Love Quincy MovieSelf
1983Ray Charles: A Man & His Soul MovieRay Charles
1983Hallelujah Gospel MovieSelf
1982St. Elsewhere TVArthur Tibbits5.7
1982Champs-Elysées TVSelf6.8
1981Lynda Carter's Celebration MovieSelf9.0
1981Ray Charles Live - In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony MovieSelf7.0
1980Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters TVSelf6.0
1980John Schneider: Back Home MovieSelf
1980Ray Charles At The North Sea Jazz Festival MovieSelf
1980The Blues Brothers MovieRay7.7
1979Ray Charles: Angels Keep Watching Over Me MovieSelf6.0
1978The Kennedy Center Honors TVSelf7.4
1978NBC Salutes the 25th Anniversary of the Wonderful World of Disney MovieSelf7.0
1978The Second Barry Manilow Special MovieSelf7.0
1978Bio’s Bahnhof TVSelf9.0
197850 Years of Country Music MovieSelf5.0
1977The Beatles Forever MovieSelf
1975Saturday Night Live TVSelf - Host & Musical Guest6.9
1975Cher TVSelf7.0
1975The Smothers Brothers Show TVUnknown character9.0
1973Barbra Streisand... and Other Musical Instruments MovieSelf8.2
1972Musikladen TVSelf8.0
1972The Midnight Special TVSelf8.1
1970The Flip Wilson Show TVSelf5.1
1969The Johnny Cash Show TVSelf6.5
1969The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour TVSelf6.8
1969Unsere kleine Show - Musik zur blauen Stunde TVSelf
1968Ray Charles - La Salle Pleyel, Paris MovieSelf7.0
1968The Dick Cavett Show TVSelf - Guest6.8
1967The Carol Burnett Show TVSelf - Guest7.7
1965The Big T.N.T. Show MovieSelf8.5
1965Ballad in Blue MovieSelf7.0
1964Shindig! TVSelf - Singer6.4
1964The Hollywood Palace TVSelf - Singer5.0
1962The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson TVSelf7.6
1961The Mike Douglas Show TVSelf - Co-Host5.8
1961Swingin' Along MovieSelf6.0
1958Kraft Music Hall TVSelf5.4
1956The Dinah Shore Chevy Show TVSelf6.4
1948The Ed Sullivan Show TVSelf6.8
TBASay Hello to Our Good Friend Paul Shaffer MovieSelf (archive footage)

Crew (4)

YearTitleRoleRating
2024CATFISH MovieMusic · Sound10.0
1968Albert, the Rockefeller TVTheme Song Performance · Sound9.5
1967In the Heat of the Night MovieVocals · Sound7.7
1962Cosmic Ray MovieMusic · Sound6.4

Latest releases

Questions about Ray Charles

What are Ray Charles' most famous songs?

Ray Charles is best known for songs like "Georgia on My Mind," "Hit the Road Jack," and "I Got a Woman." His unique style blended various genres, making him a pioneering figure in music.

Did Ray Charles win any Grammy Awards?

Yes, Ray Charles won a total of 17 Grammy Awards throughout his career, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990, acknowledging his lasting impact on music.

When did Ray Charles start his music career?

Ray Charles began his music career in the late 1940s after moving to Seattle. His early work in clubs and on radio helped establish his reputation as a talented artist.

What is Ray Charles' legacy in music?

Ray Charles is often referred to as the 'Father of Soul Music.' His innovative fusion of gospel, R&B, and blues laid the groundwork for future musical genres and inspired countless artists.

Was Ray Charles involved in any films?

Yes, Ray Charles was portrayed by Jamie Foxx in the biographical film 'Ray' released in 2004, which chronicled his life and career, earning Foxx an Academy Award for Best Actor.

How many children did Ray Charles have?

Ray Charles had three children: Ray Charles Robinson Jr., David Robinson, and Regina Robinson. He was known to have had a close relationship with his family.

What was Ray Charles' estimated net worth at the time of his death?

At the time of his death in 2004, Ray Charles had an estimated net worth of $75 million, reflecting his successful music career and business ventures.

What awards did Ray Charles receive during his lifetime?

In addition to Grammy Awards, Ray Charles received numerous honors, including the Kennedy Center Honors in 1986 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018, recognizing his contributions to music and culture.