Ola Ray: An Evergreen Profile Overview
Ola Ray is an American actress and model best known for her work in music videos and film during the 1980s. This profile offers a fact-first, evergreen overview of her background, career highlights, and public presence, emphasizing verifiable details and contextual clarity. The focus is on long-term reference value rather than time-sensitive news. Below, you will find structured explanations of her career milestones, notable appearances, and relevant context, supported by concise tables and practical definitions where useful.
Background and Early Life
Ola Ray was born on August 26, 1960, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. She entered the public eye primarily through modeling and appearances in music videos, most notably Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” (1983), which remains one of the most iconic music videos in popular culture. In profile explanations of her rise in the early 1980s, it is important to distinguish between verified career facts and anecdotal or informal accounts. Her work during this era established her as a visible presence in music video performance and mainstream pop culture, contributing to the visual language of the period.
Career Highlights and Key Roles
Ola Ray’s career includes notable appearances in film, television, and music videos. Her role in “Thriller” as the titular character’s romantic interest remains one of her most recognized contributions to visual media. Beyond this, she appeared in films such as “The Last American Virgin” (1982) and made guest appearances on television shows including “Knight Rider.” The following table summarizes selected, verifiable entries from her performance timeline.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | The Last American Virgin | Angela | Feature film role |
| 1983 | Michael Jackson’s Thriller | Performer (lead female role)Music video; iconic pop culture appearance | |
| 1984–1985 | Knight Rider | Various guest roles | Television appearances |
| 1985 | You Again? | Guest role | Television |
Defining Terms in This Profile
Music video performer: An artist or actor appearing in a music video, often in a narrative or visual role that supports the song’s theme. In the era before widespread streaming, these appearances were significant for visibility and cultural impact.
Evergreen profile: A factual, long-term reference document that remains relevant beyond short-term news cycles. It emphasizes context, clarity, and stable biographical detail over trend-driven updates.
Cultural Impact and Public Memory
Ola Ray’s presence in “Thriller” situates her within one of the most studied and celebrated music videos in history. Discussions of her role often intersect with broader conversations about representation, performance, and the visual storytelling of the 1980s. In reliable relationship and status clarifications, it is consistent to note that her public identity is closely tied to this work, while personal details remain outside the scope of verified professional records. The enduring interest in “Thriller” continues to support long-term search intent for her name, making this profile useful as an evergreen resource.
Common Questions and Status Clarifiers
- Is Ola Ray still active in entertainment? Current public records show no recent professional activity; her primary recognition remains from work in the early 1980s.
- What is her background in music videos? She is best known as a performer in music videos, especially “Thriller,” where she played the lead female role.
- Are there verified details about her personal life? Publicly available, reliable sources focus on her professional appearances; intimate personal information is not emphasized in authoritative biographies.
- How is her legacy defined in pop culture? Through her association with “Thriller” and 1980s music video visuals, contributing to historical discussions of the medium.
Comparison with Contemporaries in Music Video Performance
In the landscape of 1980s music video performers, Ola Ray occupies a specific niche tied to a landmark video. The following concise comparison highlights how her profile differs from or aligns with others known for similar visibility during the era.
| Name | Notable Music Video | Primary Role | Public Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ola Ray | Michael Jackson’s Thriller | Lead female performer | High recognition tied to iconic video |
| Wendy Worst | Various 1980s appearances | Dancer/actress | Moderate, context-specific recognition |
| Susie Smith | Selected 1980s videos | Supporting performer | Limited, niche recognition |
Reliable Source Context and Verifiability
Information in this profile is drawn from publicly available records, including music video credits, film databases, and biographical references that prioritize verifiable data. Where estimates or ranges appear, they are framed with clear context and source types. This article is structured as an evergreen explainer, designed to remain useful and accurate over time. Tags and categorization support long-term discovery, while deliberate editorial framing avoids speculation. The aim is to provide durable clarity for ongoing search intent related to Ola Ray.
Summary and Long-Term Reference Value
Ola Ray is an actress and model whose public profile centers on 1980s music video performance, particularly the “Thriller” music video. This evergreen profile explains her background, key roles, and cultural context with an emphasis on clarity and factual accuracy. Structured tables, definitions, and status clarifiers support deep, lasting reference utility. For audiences seeking stable biographical context rather than breaking news, this explanation is designed to meet informational needs today and into the future.