Ray Sharkey

About Ray Sharkey

Lead and character player who began his career on TV in the 1970s and achieved his movie breakthrough in "The Idolmaker" (1982), Taylor Hackford's stinging look at exploitation in the music business. Sharkey has appeared in several Paul Mazursky films, notably as Phil D'Amico in the engaging "Willie and Phil" (1980). He excelled in tough, urban roles and is known for his role as mob boss Sonny Steelgrave in the popular TV series, "Wiseguy".

Partners

Companion

Ornella Muti. had relationship when they acted together in "Love and Money" in 1981

Wife

Rebecca Wood. Married 1981; divorced 1986

Wife

Carole Graham. Married in October 1988; filed for divorce in 1990; divorced 1992

Education

HB Studio, New York , New York

Career Milestones

1995

Final screen appearance in the documentary, "Stephen Verona: Self Portrait"

1994

Last feature film, "Urban Crossfire"

1992

Last TV-movie "In the Line of Duty: Street War" (NBC)

1991

Headlined the ABC sitcom "Man in the Family"; aired for seven episodes during the summer

1989

Played the famed Chicago gangster in the NBC telepic "The Revenge of Al Capone"

1987

Offered memorable turn as the mobster Sonny Steelgrave in the CBS drama "Wiseguy"

1981

Breakthrough screen role as "The Idolmaker"

1981

Had title role of a paraplegic in the CBS drama "The Ordeal of Bill Carney"

1980

Starred with Margot Kidder and Michael Ontkean in the triangular romantic film "Willie and Phil"

1979

Cast as an Alan Ginsberg-like poet in "Heart Beat"

1978

Garnered attention for performance as a killer in "Who'll Stop the Rain"

1977

Appeared in the unsold CBS pilot "Best Friends"

1976

Film acting debut in "Hot Tomorrows" (American Film Institute graduate film directed by Martin Brest)

1973

In November, moved to L.A.

Studied acting in NYC and appeared in Off-Off-Broadway plays

After seeing the Broadway production of "Hair" at age 17, decided to become an actor

Raised in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn, New York