Bio

If Lewis Black and Grandmaster Flash had a baby...it would be RayW. 

Ray is an Atlanta-based actor, poet and standup comedian. In his debut at the legendary Gotham Comedy Club, he followed Jim Gaffigan in the lineup. He has also performed at The Stand, Stand/Up NY,  Webster Hall and other renown NYC venues. 

A poet at heart, Ray has competed in slams at the Nuyorican Poet's Cafe where, in his first-ever performance, the MC inadvertently summed up his career to the audience, "Y'all didn’t see that coming, did ya?" 

Ray didn't either. Born and raised in the hardscrabble neighborhoods of New Haven, Connecticut, he spent 30 years as a law enforcement officer and executive before launching a career in entertainment. His work as a Security Monitor at Webster Hall exposed him to the most influential rap artists of the day including P. Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Funkmaster Flex, Rick Ross and many others.

Club-goers often mistook him for the owner, insisting that “You must own something.” Talking smack with DJs and regulars (who once referred to him as “Old Head") inspired his first spoken-word rap poem entitled "Gettin' Old Ain't No Joke." 

His poetry/comedy appeals to 20-somethings and Baby Boomers alike. Influences include Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Bill Burr, Louis CK, Chris Rock and Lewis Black. 

Ray's television credits include a recurring role on TNT's Public Morals and most recently two episodes in the TV series For Life. His claim to fame is that he possibly holds the record for appearing in the most series that never went past the first season. Even the 47-year run of Guiding Light came to a screeching halt after Ray appeared on the show. Max Bialystock eat your heart out.

His stage credits include Emily Mann's award-winning play “Mrs. Packard” that culminated its run at the Kennedy Center. He has also shared the stage with Leslie Uggams at the Westport Country Playhouse.

RayW is also a licensed Private Investigator.