Nicholas Ray
Biography
Nicholas Ray was an American film director born on August 7, 1911, in Galesville, Wisconsin, USA. He is known for directing several narrative features between 1947 and 1963. His best-known work is the 1955 film Rebel Without a Cause, starring James Dean. Ray is considered an iconoclastic auteur director who often clashed with the Hollywood studio system. He was described by the Harvard Film Archive as "Hollywood's last romantic" and "one of postwar American cinema’s supremely gifted and ultimately tragic filmmakers." Ray's work had a significant influence on future generations of filmmakers. He died on June 16, 1979, at the age of 67.
Career overview
Nicholas Ray was an American film director. He is best known for his work in the film industry between 1947 and 1963. During this period, Ray produced many narrative features. His most notable film is the 1955 film starring James Dean.
Ray's career was marked by his clashes with the Hollywood studio system. Despite this, he remained a highly influential figure in the film industry. He is often described as an iconoclastic auteur director. Ray's work had a lasting impact on future generations of filmmakers. He is considered one of postwar American cinema's gifted and tragic filmmakers.
Ray's filmography includes a number of notable works. The exact titles of these films are not specified in the provided sources. However, it is mentioned that one of his films is titled "Rebel Without a Cause" and another is titled "Johnny Guitar".
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
63 titles- Films to Die For (2025) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Wilder Demons #2 (2024) Writer
- Don't Expect Too Much (2011) as Himself
- Rebel Without a Cause: Defiant Innocents (2005) as Himself (uncredited)
- James Dean: A Portrait (1995) as Self (archive footage)
- Vanity Fair: Jeanette Starion the Pet of the Year (1990)
- Lightning Over Water (1980) as Self
- Lightning Over Water (1980) Director
- Lightning Over Water (1980) Writer
- Hair (1979) as The General
- Nicholas Ray: Especially for Pierre (1979)
- Marco (1978) Director
- The American Friend (1977) as Derwatt
- Profile of Nicholas Ray (1977) as Self
- Johnny, weil Du Geburtstag hast (1977) as Self
- I'm a Stranger Here Myself (1975) as Self
- James Dean: The First American Teenager (1975) as Self
- The Janitor (1974) Director
- Wet Dreams (1974) Director
- We Can't Go Home Again (1973) as Nick Ray
- We Can't Go Home Again (1973) Writer
- We Can't Go Home Again (1973) Director
- Horizons (1973)
- Made in U.S.A (1967) Thanks
- Circus World (1964) Story
- 55 Days at Peking (1963) as US Minister (uncredited)
- 55 Days at Peking (1963) Director
- King of Kings (1961) Director
- The Savage Innocents (1960) Director
- The Savage Innocents (1960) Screenplay
- Party Girl (1958) Director
- Wind Across the Everglades (1958) Director
- The True Story of Jesse James (1957) Director
- Bitter Victory (1957) Director
- Bitter Victory (1957) Screenplay
- Bigger Than Life (1956) Director
- Bigger Than Life (1956) Additional Writing
- Hot Blood (1956) Director
- Rebel Without a Cause (1955) as Man in Last Shot (uncredited)
- Rebel Without a Cause (1955) Director
- Rebel Without a Cause (1955) Story
- Run for Cover (1955) Director
- Johnny Guitar (1954) Director
- Johnny Guitar (1954) Producer
- Johnny Guitar (1954) Writer
- General Electric Theater (1953) Director
- Androcles and the Lion (1952) Co-Director
- Macao (1952) Co-Director
- The Lusty Men (1952) Director
- Flying Leathernecks (1951) Director
- On Dangerous Ground (1951) Adaptation
- On Dangerous Ground (1951) Director
- In a Lonely Place (1950) Director
- Born to Be Bad (1950) Director
- They Live by Night (1949) Director
- They Live by Night (1949) Adaptation
- Knock on Any Door (1949) Director
- A Woman's Secret (1949) Director
- Roseanna McCoy (1949) Co-Director
- Swing Parade of 1946 (1946) Writer
- A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945) as Bakery Clerk (uncredited)
- A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945) Dialogue
- Tuesday in November (1945) Assistant Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Nicholas Ray best known for?
Nicholas Ray is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Hair (1979), The American Friend (1977), Caressing My Hibernating Bear (2022), Circus World (1964).
When and where was Nicholas Ray born?
Nicholas Ray was born on August 7, 1911 in Galesville, Wisconsin, USA. They passed away on June 16, 1979.
How many credits does Nicholas Ray have?
Nicholas Ray has accumulated over 63 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1945 to 2025.
What is Nicholas Ray's background in cinema and television?
Nicholas Ray was an American film director born on August 7, 1911, in Galesville, Wisconsin, USA. He is known for directing several narrative features between 1947 and 1963. His best-known work is the 1955 film Rebel Without a Cause, starring James Dean. Ray is considered an iconoclastic auteur director who often clash...
Nicholas Ray by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Rebel Without a Cause (1955) as Man in Last Shot (uncredited) — aged about 43
- Hair (1979) as The General — aged about 67
- The American Friend (1977) as Derwatt — aged about 65
- 55 Days at Peking (1963) as US Minister (uncredited) — aged about 51
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