Reynaldo Rey, ‘Friday’ Actor, Dead at 75

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Comedian known for his role as Red’s Father in the Ice Cube-Chris Tucker comedy suffers complications from a stroke

Reynaldo Rey, dead at 75 (PBS)
PBS

Updated Friday, May 29, 2015

Actor Reynaldo Rey, who appeared in films “Friday” and “White Men Can’t Jump,” died Thursday. The actor and comedian was 75.

Rey’s manager Vanzil Burke told the Associated Press that the actor died at a Los Angeles hospital from complications after suffering a stroke.

A native of Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, Rey earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Kansas State Teacher’s College. He later launched his career in comedy in Cleveland where he was a teacher and performed theater. He then moved to New York City, joined the Harlem Theater Group and made his first film.

Ice Cube tweeted a tribute to the actor on Friday morning, writing, “RIP the original double R. The world is not as funny today as it was yesterday…”

  After moving to Hollywood, Rey met comedian Redd Foxx and opened for Foxx for 18 years in Las Vegas and on tour in the United States. The actor appeared in over 50 movies, including “House Party 3,” “A Rage in Harlem” and “Harlem Nights.” He also has 32 television shows to his credit, including BET’s “Comic View,”1998-99, 2000-2001, on which he was co-host; “The Tonight Show,” “Sister, Sister,” “Parents in Crime,” “Parenthood,” “227” as Ray the Mailman, “Sanford and Son” and “The Royal Family.” He also recorded three comedy albums and three videos.     Rey is survived by his wife, daughter, two sons and mother.   In addition to Ice Cube, industry colleagues including DJ Pooh, who played the actor’s son Red in “Friday,” as well as comedian and actress Jackée Harry and BET Chairman and CEO Debra Lee paid tribute to Rey on social media.

 

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