Quick Facts
Biography
Ray Aranha (May 1, 1939 – October 9, 2011) was an American actor, playwright, and stage director.
Career
Born in Miami, Florida, Aranha appeared in and written numerous stage productions. In 1974, he won a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Playwright for My Sister, My Sister. Aranha also wrote and toured in a one-man show, I Am Black, and later appeared as "Jim Bono" in Fences.
In addition to stage work, Aranha appeared in various film and television roles. In 1990, he co-starred in the short-lived ABC series Married People. After the series was canceled in 1991, he appeared in yet another short-lived series The Heights in 1992. Aranha has since had roles in Are You Afraid of the Dark?, New York Undercover, and Law & Order, and has roles in Dead Man Walking (1995), Deconstructing Harry (1997), and Maid in Manhattan (2002).
Death
On October 9, 2011, Aranha died at the age of 72 from a stroke.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | A Stranger Is Watching | Cop in Bathroom | |
| 1987 | Five Corners | Arthur | |
| 1990 to 1991 | Married People | Nick Williams | 18 episodes |
| 1991 | City of Hope | Errol | |
| 1992 | The Heights | Mr. Mike | 12 episodes |
| 1994 | Drop Squad | Bruford Jamison, Sr | |
| 1993 | American Playhouse | Reverend Foy | Episode: "Hallelujah" |
| 1994 | Lifestories: Families in Crisis | Victor | Episode: "POWER: The Eddie Matos Story" |
| 1994 to 1997 | New York Undercover | Jamell Johnson Mel Dunston | 2 episodes |
| 1994 to 1999 | Law & Order | Dr. Henry "Papa Doc" Doirnell Judge | 2 episodes |
| 1995 | Are You Afraid of the Dark? | Cap Anderson | Episode: "The Tale of Train Magic" |
| 1995 | Die Hard with a Vengeance | Janitor | Credited as Ray Arahna |
| 1995 | Dead Man Walking | Luis Montoya | |
| 1996 | City Hall | James Bone | |
| 1996 | Box of Moon Light | Soapy | |
| 1996 | Twisted | Can Man | |
| 1997 | Deconstructing Harry | Professor Aranha | |
| 1997 | The Kid | Cappy Dover | |
| 1998 | Cosby | James | Episode: "Chemistry" |
| 2000 | Third Watch | Barnett Freeman | Episode: "Journey to the Himalayas" |
| 2001 | Ed | Harry Lockemather | 2 episodes |
| 2001 | Good Advice | Man in Central Park | |
| 2002 | Maid in Manhattan | Bus driver | |
| 2003 | Shortcut to Happiness | Mailman | (Last appearance) |