Fancy Ray
RETURN TO INDEX
Born Name:
Ray McCloney
Born Date: March 3, 1964
Born Place: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Stand-up comedian, advertising pitchman, producer
Brief Biography: Fancy Ray McCloney—widely known as "The Best Lookin' Man in Comedy", is famous for his flamboyant comic persona, his act blends the charisma of Muhammad Ali, the vocal energy of Little Richard, the funk of James Brown, and the sexual prowess of Prince.
Biography Highlights:
McCloney got his first taste of entertainment as a child, practicing ventriloquism and performing in a roadshow with televangelist Billy Graham.
The Rise of "Fancy Ray": In 1984, he entered a lip-sync contest at the famous Minneapolis venue First Avenue, performing as Little Richard. The performance launched his career, and he eventually appeared on the nationally syndicated TV show Puttin' on the Hits before transitioning into stand-up comedy.
National Exposure: Over his multi-decade career, Fancy Ray has built a resume of national television appearances, including The Tonight Show, Last Comic Standing, and America's Got Talent. He also gained major mainstream visibility as a pitchman, starring in a Taco Bell commercial that aired during the Super Bowl.
The "Best Lookin' Man": He is beloved in the Twin Cities for his self-aggrandizing, boisterous poetry, and for starring in dozens of low-budget local television commercials. In the late 1990s, he ran for Governor of Minnesota.
Ordained Minister: He expanded his reach into officiant work, performing "Love and Laughter" wedding ceremonies. Both mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul officially proclaimed March 28th as "Fancy Ray Day" to celebrate his legacy.
Born Date: March 3, 1964
Born Place: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Stand-up comedian, advertising pitchman, producer
Brief Biography: Fancy Ray McCloney—widely known as "The Best Lookin' Man in Comedy", is famous for his flamboyant comic persona, his act blends the charisma of Muhammad Ali, the vocal energy of Little Richard, the funk of James Brown, and the sexual prowess of Prince.
Biography Highlights:
McCloney got his first taste of entertainment as a child, practicing ventriloquism and performing in a roadshow with televangelist Billy Graham.
The Rise of "Fancy Ray": In 1984, he entered a lip-sync contest at the famous Minneapolis venue First Avenue, performing as Little Richard. The performance launched his career, and he eventually appeared on the nationally syndicated TV show Puttin' on the Hits before transitioning into stand-up comedy.
National Exposure: Over his multi-decade career, Fancy Ray has built a resume of national television appearances, including The Tonight Show, Last Comic Standing, and America's Got Talent. He also gained major mainstream visibility as a pitchman, starring in a Taco Bell commercial that aired during the Super Bowl.
The "Best Lookin' Man": He is beloved in the Twin Cities for his self-aggrandizing, boisterous poetry, and for starring in dozens of low-budget local television commercials. In the late 1990s, he ran for Governor of Minnesota.
Ordained Minister: He expanded his reach into officiant work, performing "Love and Laughter" wedding ceremonies. Both mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul officially proclaimed March 28th as "Fancy Ray Day" to celebrate his legacy.