Ray Sharkey
1952 — 1993
Brooklyn, New York
Actor, star of more than 40 theatrical and television films.
Ray Sharkey Grew up in Brooklyn's tough Red Hook neighborhood. His father, Ray, a professional drummer, abandoned the family when the younger Ray was 5 years old. The elder Ray died in 1984.
Sharkey credited Jack Lemmon's performance in 1962's "Days of Wine and Roses" as a strong influence on his decision to become an actor. The half-Italian and half-Irish actor studied acting at the H.B. Studio in New York City for four years.
Notable film appearances include performances in "The Lords of Flatbush" (1974), "Paradise Alley (1978), and "The Idolmaker" (1980).
Arrested July 30, 1992 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for drug possession, Canadian customs officials, making a routine inspection of incoming cargo at the airport, discovered small amounts of cocaine and heroin in a black envelope being sent from Los Angeles, California to Sharkey, who had been in Canada filming a guest stint on "The Hat Squad." Police searched his hotel room and found an additional $550 worth of drugs. He was jailed and later released on bail. He was promptly fired from "The Hat Squad" and replaced by actor Kim Coates.
At his worst, Sharkey's cocaine and heroin addiction cost him $400 a day. He was also involved in four drug-related car wrecks (two required microsurgery on his eyes). He ended up dropping 40 pounds from his 5' 8" frame, and is believed to have contracted the AIDS virus through sharing dirty needles.
Sharkey has a daughter, Cecelia, with former wife, actress Carole Graham.
Bio by The Internet Movie Dadabase: http://www.imdb.com/