Ola Ray

Ola Ray is best known as the leather clad, girlfriend in peril of the 80’s short film, music video classic, Michael Jackson’s Thriller. The very cute and sexy Ray strolled alongside the King of Pop confidently as he sang the song’s iconic verses and she terrifyingly cried her very best horror movie shriek when Jackson transformed into a ghoulish zombie. But two years before Ray dazzled the likes of the legendary musical icon and his global fanbase— she was introduced to the world as the June 1980 Playmate of the Month in Playboy. Ola’s pictorial didn’t just feature her beautiful nude body, it exemplified and showcased her rebellious and adventurous spirit. That seed was planted during her youth when her family relocated to an Army base outside of Tokyo when she was 13 years old. Being a cultural fish out of water didn’t faze her too much, Ray took the loves of her life and mixed it into the perfect concoction; her early days as a performer. "I formed a dancing and singing group with my twin brothers. We would hop on the train and head down to the clubs in the Ginza,” Ray remembers. “We called ourselves the Soul Train Puppets. We'd sing and dance to songs by L.T.D., Earth, Wind & Fire and the Dramatics." The amateur group was successful and played towns from Nagasaki to Sapporo. The experience ultimately gave Ola a genuine feel for Asian culture and a true affection for her adopted Japanese community. "Most Japanese are quite nice. They are warm, close people. If we were lost, they would get in a cab and take us where we wanted to go,” remembers Ray. “And the discos were terrific. In the U.S., men ask women to dance. In Japan, everyone gets up to dance. If someone has a new step, everyone stops and watches. The next thing you know, everyone is doing it. It's a permanent party." By the time Ola returned stateside, she was ready to tackle the showbiz world professionally. She took acting, voice and dance lessons. Ray landed a Playmate test which led to her gorgeous 80s summer centerfold. At that time in her life, that was the world she wanted to immerse herself in. "I want(ed) to get back onstage,” Ray recalls. “ I like to wear wild clothes, to hear people clapping. I love that vibe." Ola didn’t have to wait long to earn that star spotlight. After co-starring in Thriller, Ray enjoyed a streak of 80s film roles in movies that included 48 Hrs., Night Shift, The Man Who Loved Women, Beverly Hills Cop II and TV appearances in Gimme a Break!, Cheers and What’s Happening Now. That was then, but even now, Ola Ray hasn’t slowed down. She stays active on social media and has a robust Instagram following. Ray has resumed her acting career, is a mom, grandmother and will soon be penning her memoirs. So, stay tuned… the thriller that is Ola Marie Ray indeed has a second act.