Anthony M. Ray

SACO - Anthony M. Ray, 80, actor, producer and teacher, died peacefully after a long illness on Friday, June 29, 2018.

He lived in Saco, Maine for the last 10 years, after retiring to Cape Neddick in the late 1980s.

Born in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 24, 1937 to film noir director Nicholas Ray and writer Jean Evans, Tony grew up in New York City. In the city, he attended New York University and the New School for Social Research. Tony's first love was always acting; through his parents he had lived close to many of the big names of old Hollywood. He was a graduate of the Neighborhood Playhouse and a member of the Actors Studio.

A creative mind, Tony followed in his father's footsteps by fashioning a distinguished career in theater, television and film. He was an actor and a producer. As an actor, he played leading roles in John Cassavetes' Shadows, appeared on Broadway in Elia Kazan's The Dark at the Top of the Stairs and was featured in the soap opera Search for Tomorrow. His film credits include assistant director positions with Stanley Kubrick on Spartacus and with John Huston on the Misfits. As a producer, he had an extensive career. He was executive in charge of the East Coast Production for Twentieth Century Fox and producer in several successful films such as The Rose and Unmarried Woman, which were both nominated for best picture. After leaving Hollywood and relocating to Maine, he created a film program at Emerson College, as well as directed the International Film and Television Workshop in Rockport, Maine. A frequent speaker, he shared his broad knowledge of the American film industry across the state. Tony was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Director's Guild of America and Screen Actors Guild.

Beyond the film and theater community, Tony was a longtime member of St. George's Episcopal Church in York Harbor, Maine and attended Trinity Episcopal Church in Saco. A service to celebrate Tony's life will be held in autumn.

Tony is survived by his loving wife and best friend Eve, daughter Kelsey and son Tony, Jr.

Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home and Cremation, 365 Main St, Saco is entrusted with his arrangements.