Born in Houston, Texas just prior to the beginning of the Great Depression, Ray Stricklyn felt the urge to perform from his earliest years. From stage roles in his hometown, to parts in regional theater and Broadway, Ray made the jump from the stage to acting on both the large and small screens with some of the biggest names in the business, including Gary Cooper, Debbie Reynolds, Clifton Webb, Geraldine Page, Paul Newman, Ida Lupino, and many, many others. However, turning his talents in a different direction during the 1970s, Ray became one of the most influential publicists in Hollywood through his work with some of the biggest names in the world of entertainment. The urge to act never left and Ray made his triumphant return to the stage to become "the most award-honored L.A. stage actor of the 1980s". Among others, he was twice named Best Actor of the Year by the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, and twice nominated for a Golden Globe for acting. Ray has guest-starred in a number of the top television series since his return, however it was his now- legendary performance as Tennessee Williams in "Confessions of a Nightingale", which received national acclaim with his performances in Los Angeles, New York, and other major cities across North America.