(b. March 15, 1891 in Jacksonville, Illinois - d. November 23, 1943 in Los Angeles, California) was a silent film star. March 15 is the 74th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (75th in Leap years). ... 1891 (MDCCCXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... The Jacksonville skyline and the Acosta Bridge. ... Official language(s) English Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Area  Ranked 25th  - Total 57,918 sq mi (149,998 km²)  - Width 210 miles (340 km)  - Length 390 miles (629 km)  - % water 4. ... November 23 is the 327th day of the year (328th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 38 days remaining. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  Ranked 3rd  - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 770 miles (1,240 km)  - % water 4. ...

The son of a Scots-Irish railroad worker and a mother of French descent, Charles Ray did was not raised in one town but traveled in towns in Illinois, and then in California. Half-hearted, Ray attempted at a business career by a growing love for the theatre, and his sister pushed him into a professional career by giving him the tuition to attend the Wallace Dramatic School. After touring in plays, most of which he produced, throughout the Southwest, Ray then returned to Los Angeles. In 1912 applied for work as an extra at Thomas H. Ince's studio at Inceville. Soon, producer Ince noticed Ray and gave him increasingly important juvenile roles. 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Thomas Harper Ince (November 6, 1882–November 20, 1924) was an American film director. ...

The leading role in The Coward made him a star. By 1917, he was a world-famous figure, starring in one film after another in which the innocent country boy wises up to the dangers of a big city. Tired after dozens of films with the same basic plot, Ray broke away from Ince and entered into his own production company. Much has been made of Ray's supposed hubris and ingratitude. Bit it seems egotism to have had less to do with the decision than the need for a change. Ray said: 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ...

"Call it ambition, restlessness, anything you like, but I had this desire for new experience and new expression, and it had nothing to do with making money."

Though Ray's star still shone brightly, and several of his self-produced films were artistic successes, his career began to decline as he moved further from his familiar bumpkin character.

He lost everything on a failed production called The Courtship of Myles Standish, and was rescued from utter poverty by his old mentor, Thomas Ince, who put him into several films of increasing interest. After Ince's death in 1924, this year sent Ray Poverty Row where he made a few undistinguished pictures. His departure from important roles coincided with the transition to talkies. Ray then went to New York and tried unsuccessfully to find stage work and to write. After several years of hand-to-mouth living, he then returned to Los Angeles and began playing bit parts of no consequence. A slightly more prominent role in A Yank in the RAF seems to promise a comeback, but failed. In 1943, an impacted tooth became infected and Ray died from it at the age of fifty-two. Official language(s) English de facto Capital Albany Largest city New York City Area  Ranked 27th  - Total 54,520 sq mi (141,205 km²)  - Width 285 miles (455 km)  - Length 330 miles (530 km)  - % water 13. ... A (b&w) 1941 movie directed by Henry King, A Yank in the RAF is considered a typical (that is, not quite subtle) early-World War II movie. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ...