Ray J is an actor, music producer, and rapper who has a net worth of $14 million. Ray J, also known as William Norwood, Jr., began his performance career as an actor, appearing in commercials and then recurring on “The Sinbad Show” in the early ’90s. The younger brother of multi-platinum singer Brandy, it was only a matter of time before he shifted some of his energy to performing music. He signed with Elektra Records and released his first album in 1995. It was a moderate success, but he was dropped from the label in 1997. He returned his focus to acting, appearing on his sister’s show, “Moesha” for three seasons. He then returned to music, releasing albums in 2001 and 2005. He returned to acting in 2005 as well, appearing on one season of “One on One.”
Who is Ray J
Ray J, whose real name is William Ray Norwood Jr., is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He gained fame with his 1995 hit “Breakdown” and has released several albums since then. He’s also known for his roles in various TV shows and his business ventures.
Ray J Age & Height
Ray J, born William Ray Norwood Jr. on January 17, 1981, in McComb, Mississippi, is a multifaceted American entertainer. Standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall, Ray J initially gained fame as a singer with his 1995 hit single “Breakdown.” Over the years, he has built a diverse career spanning music, acting, and business. Known for his appearances in reality TV shows and his entrepreneurial ventures, Ray J continues to be a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
Ray J Early Life
Ray J was born William Ray Norwood, Jr. on January 17, 1981, in McComb, Mississippi. He was raised in California by his parents, Willie and Sonja Bates-Norwood. Ray J is the younger brother of multi-platinum singer Brandy and the cousin of rap artist Snoop Dogg.
Ray J Acting Career
Ray J first began his career in acting in 1989 when he began to appear in various television commercials. He landed the role of the foster son in “The Sinbad Show” from 1993 to 1994. Ray J also starred in his big sister Brandy’s show, “Moesha,” for two years as well as”One on One.” He made appearances in films as well, including “Mars Attacks!,” “Steel,” and “Envy.” In 2005, Norwood appeared in UPN’s “One-On-One.” He returned to television in 2009 with “For the Love of Ray J,” a reality dating show on VH1, which aired for two seasons and spawned a spin-off show, “Brandy and Ray J: A Family Business,” which aired in April 2010. Ray J was part of the cast of the UK “Celebrity Big Brother,” but he walked off the set after just one week. More recently, he has appeared in 2021’s “Good Looking Out,” “VH1 Family Reunion: Love & Hip Hop Edition,” and “Love & Hip Hop: Secrets Unlocked,” and 2022’s “College Hill: Celebrity Edition” in 2022.
Read More: Kevin McCarthy Wife
Ray J Music Career
In 1995, Ray J signed with Elektra Records and began to record his debut album, “Everything You Want.” That album was released in March 1997 with the lead single “Let It Go” (no, not the one that just popped into your head right now!). The single was also featured on the soundtrack for the film “Set It Off” and peaked at #25 on the U.S. R&B chart. The second single peaked at #54. Ray J was dropped from the label in 1997. The next year, he made an appearance on the “Dr. Doolittle” soundtrack with his original single “That’s Why I Lie.” He also produced tunes for the company Mattel and put together music for several commercials.
Ray J and sis Brandy collaborated on “Another Day in Paradise,” which ended up a top ten success in the UK, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Ray J released his second album, “This Ain’t a Game,” in June 2001. The lead single, “Wait a Minute,” peaked at #30 on the U.S. chart.
Ray J Marijuana Tycoon
In June 2019, Ray J announced that he had launched his own line of marijuana called William Ray LA and had reportedly spent $5 million of his own money building the business. In August 2019, Ray J announced that he had signed on to be the chief strategic media officer for MarijuanaStock.org. The position, according to paperwork obtained by TMZ, will pay Ray J $1 million per year!
Ray J Personal Life
Ray J had a very close relationship with Whitney Houston during the last few years of her life. While there was speculation that they had a romantic relationship, Ray J has insisted they were just friends and never dated. When she died on February 11, 2012, he was in San Diego and rushed to the Beverly Hilton, where she died. He reportedly became angered that he heard one of the police officers on the scene make a disrespectful comment about Houston. Ray Jay was restrained as he tried to force entry into the hotel. Ray’s sister Brandy described Ray J at the time of Houston’s death as very distraught and depressed.
FAQs
Who is Ray J?
Ray J, whose real name is William Ray Norwood Jr., is an American singer, songwriter, and actor known for his 1995 hit “Breakdown” and roles in TV shows like “Moesha.”
How old is Ray J, and what is his height?
Ray J was born on January 17, 1981, making him 43 years old. He is 5 feet 6 inches tall.
What is Ray J’s early life background?
Ray J was born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in California. He is the younger brother of singer Brandy and cousin to rapper Snoop Dogg.
What can you tell me about Ray J’s acting career?
Ray J began his acting career in 1989 and appeared in “The Sinbad Show” and “Moesha.” He has also been in films like “Mars Attacks!” and participated in reality shows like “For the Love of Ray J.”
Conclusion
Ray J, born William Ray Norwood Jr., is a versatile American entertainer with a multifaceted career spanning music, acting, and business. From his early days on TV shows like “The Sinbad Show” to his music career, which includes hits like “Breakdown” and business ventures such as his marijuana line, Ray J has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry. His personal life, including his close relationship with Whitney Houston, adds depth to his public persona. With a net worth of $14 million, Ray J continues to be an influential figure in both the entertainment and business worlds.
Read Next: Dustin Poirier Net Worth