Synopsis

Ray follows musician Ray Charles from his childhood in the segregated South, where he loses his sight, to his emergence as a groundbreaking rhythm and blues star. As he blends gospel, blues, jazz, and country, Charles battles heroin addiction, infidelity, and personal guilt while building an influential career and asserting creative independence in the music industry.

Factoids & Trivia

• Taylor Hackford spent approximately 15 years trying to bring the project to the screen before financing was secured.

• Ray Charles received a Braille version of the screenplay and reviewed an early cut of the film before his death on June 10, 2004.

• Jamie Foxx wore specially made eye prosthetics that restricted his vision for much of each shooting day. He also studied at the Braille Institute to better understand Charles' experience.

• Foxx had studied classical piano on a college scholarship, allowing him to perform the piano parts himself rather than relying on a stunt double.

• The film was independently financed through Philip Anschutz's Bristol Bay Productions after several major studios passed on the project. Universal Pictures later distributed it.

• Ray premiered at the 2004 Toronto International Film Festival.

• The film received six Academy Award nominations and won two, including Best Actor for Jamie Foxx and Best Sound Mixing.