Ray (2004): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Ray is a 2004 biographical drama directed by Taylor Hackford, starring Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington and Regina King. It runs 2 hours 32 minutes and earned $124 million worldwide on a $40 million budget. It won 2 Oscars, including Actor in a Leading Role and Sound Mixing, and 8 awards in all. Critics gave it 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 32m (152 min)
- Director
- Taylor Hackford
- Original language
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English - Studio
- Universal Pictures
- Budget
- $40M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Ray About?
The premise of Ray without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
This film chronicles the life of Ray Charles, portraying his remarkable journey from a childhood marked by tragedy to becoming a groundbreaking music icon. Jamie Foxx delivers an award-winning performance as Charles, showcasing his determination to overcome adversity and revolutionize the landscape of soul music. The story explores both the triumphs and personal struggles that defined his career and cemented his enduring legacy as one of the greatest entertainers of all time.
Ray Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- based on true story
- african american jazz musician
- blind musician
- singer
- pianist
- character name as title
- based on real person
- eyesight
- organ
- 1950s
- 1960s
- interrupted fellatio
+38 more Show fewer
- disabled
- sex scene
- 20th century
- ray charles character
- tragedy drama
- sex
- hand touches water
- blind pianist
- period drama
- docudrama drama
- rhythm and blues
- band
- drugs
- song
- flashback
- racism
- gospel music
- florida
- musician
- georgia usa
- new york city
- heroin addiction
- african american protagonist
- bathroom
- turk
- north florida
- st. francis rehabilitation clinic
- year 1979
- year 1965
- year 1964
- year 1963
- year 1962
- year 1961
- year 1960
- year 1959
- year 1956
- year 1954
- year 1953
Ray Cast
Jamie Foxx leads the cast, with Kerry Washington and Regina King. Directed by Taylor Hackford.
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Director Taylor Hackford
More from Taylor Hackford
More films directed by Taylor Hackford, best-rated first: An Officer and a Gentleman, Dolores Claiborne, The Idolmaker and The Devil's Advocate.
Ray Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Ray 73 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10.
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IMDb 7.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 73 Metascore
User score 8.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 74% User score
See on TMDB
Ray Plot Summary
What happens in Ray from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Ray Robinson, portrayed by Jamie Foxx, grows up in a challenging environment, raised by his strong-willed mother, Aretha Robinson (Sharon Warren), amid the struggles of poverty. He finds refuge in the world of music and learns to master the piano. However, a tragic accident occurs when his younger brother, George, drowns in a washbasin, leaving Ray devastated. Following this heart-wrenching event, Ray begins to experience vision problems and by the age of seven, he is completely blind. Aretha instills in him the values of independence and resilience, eventually enrolling him in a school designed for the deaf and blind.
Full summary
The whole story of Ray, scene by scene
Ray Box Office & Budget
Ray grossed $124 million worldwide on a $40 million budget, 3.1 times what it cost. $75.3 million came from the US and Canada and $48.6 million (39%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$124M
3.1× its budget
- US & Canada
- $75.3M
- International
- $48.6M
- Budget
- $40M
Ray Awards & Nominations
Ray won 2 Oscars, including Actor in a Leading Role and Sound Mixing, and 8 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Oscars 2005, with 2 wins from 6 nominations.
8 wins18 nominations6 ceremonies
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Oscars 2005 2 wins · 6 nominations- Won Actor in a Leading Role – Jamie Foxx
- Won Sound Mixing
- Nominated Best Picture
- Nominated Costume Design
- Nominated Directing – Taylor Hackford
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Critics' Choice 2005 2 wins · 4 nominations- Won Best Actor – Jamie Foxx
- Won Best Soundtrack
- Nominated Best Director – Taylor Hackford
- Nominated Best Picture
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BAFTA 2005 2 wins · 4 nominations- Won Best Actor in a Leading Role – Jamie Foxx
- Won Best Sound
- Nominated Best Original Music
- Nominated Best Original Screenplay
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Golden Globes 2005 1 win · 2 nominations- Won Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (Actor) – Jamie Foxx
- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Show all 6 ceremonies Show fewer ceremonies
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Actor Awards (SAG) 2005 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role – Jamie Foxx
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DGA Awards 2005 1 nomination- Nominated Feature Film – Taylor Hackford
Ray Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 1 trailer and 4 clips.
- Clip Every Great Musical Performance—"Hit the Road Jack," "Mess Around," "What'd I Say" and more!
- Clip Ray Charles Rejects Jim Crow Segregation
- Clip Ray Charles' First Piano Lesson
- Clip The Mess Around - Full Scene
How Well Do You Know Ray?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What tragic event occurs in Ray's childhood that deeply impacts him?
Cars in Ray
58 cars on screen, including the 1932 Pierce-Arrow Model Z and the 1951 Studebaker Commander Land Cruiser.
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1932 Pierce-Arrow Model Z Important role -
1951 Studebaker Commander Land Cruiser Important role -
1959 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special Minor role -
1964 Cadillac Fleetwood Eldorado Minor role
Ray Also Known As
13 alternative titles, including “Unchain My Heart: The Ray Charles Story” and “Ռեյ”.
- Also known as
-
- Unchain My Heart: The Ray Charles Story
- Ռեյ
- 灵魂歌王
- Рэй
- ריי
- Ray／レイ
- 레이
- Рей
- Rej
- 雷之心靈傳奇
- Huyền Thoại Ray Charles
- เรย์ ตาบอด ใจไม่บอด
+1 more Show fewer
- Rėjus
Seen Ray?
Movies Like Ray
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Ballad in Blue, Raymond & Ray and Miles Ahead.
Ray FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Ray, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Ray?
Ray runs 2 hours 32 minutes (152 minutes).
When was Ray released?
Ray was released on October 29, 2004.
Who directed Ray?
Ray was directed by Taylor Hackford.
More films by Taylor Hackford Who is in the cast of Ray?
Ray stars Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington and Regina King.
How much did Ray make at the box office?
Ray grossed $124 million worldwide ($75.3 million domestic, $48.6 million international) on a budget of $40 million.
How is Ray rated?
Ray has 7.7/10 on IMDb, 73 on Metacritic and 74% on TMDB.
What awards did Ray win?
Ray won 8 awards from 18 nominations, including Actor in a Leading Role at the Oscars 2005.
Does Ray have a post-credit scene?
No. Ray has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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