Fred Olen Ray

Fred Olen Ray (born September 10, 1954) is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and cinematographer. He is the producer, director, and screenwriter of low to medium-budget feature films in many genres, including horror, science fiction, action/adventure, softcore sex films and crime dramas. He has also produced a few feature films for a family audience. Many of his early productions appeared at drive-in theaters and inner-city grindhouses, when those outlets for low-budget films were still significant. Some of Ray's productions have received theatrical releases. Most of his current output, however, is released directly to DVD or appears on cable television channels such as Showtime, Cinemax, and HBO. Ray has directed over a hundred films and is still going strong. Ray is the head of Retromedia, which releases D.V.D.s of both his own productions and archival films. He has also worked for other well-known independent studios and on a few occasions for major Hollywood studios. He is also cited as an inspiration for many independent film-makers. He loaned a 16 mm camera to Quentin Tarantino so he could make My Best Friend's Birthday. Aside from the film industry, Fred Olen Ray is also a professional wrestler. His wrestling name is Fabulous Freddie Valentine.