black celebrities we've lost to aids

As these photos attest | no amount of money or fame can protect against the killer known as AIDS.

Gene Anthony Ray (1962 - 2003) - Ray is best known for his portrayal of the street-smart dancer Leroy in the 1980 film “Fame,” in addition to the TV spin-off – which aired from 1982 until 1987. The actor/dancer suffered a stroke in June 2003 and ultimately died from complications of the stroke on Nov. 14, in Manhattan. The Harlem native was 41-years-old and HIV positive at the time of his death. He was 41.
Howard Rollins (1950 - 1996) - Rollins, starred in the box-office hit, "A Soldier's Story," which led to his role as Virgil Tibbs on the TV drama "In the Heat of the Night," died on Dec. 8, 1996 after complications from AIDS-related lymphoma. The Baltimore native had been diagnosed with the condition approximately six weeks earlier. He was 46.
Jermaine Stewart (1957 - 1997) - Stewart is best known for his Billboard hits "The Word Is Out" from his 1984 debut album of the same name, and "We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off" in 1986, from the album "Frantic Romantic." The Columbus, Ohio, native died on March 17, 1997 due to liver cancer caused by AIDS. He was 39.
Kenny Green (1969-2001) - Singer-songwriter Kenny Green was the backbone of the early 1990s group “Intro,” writing and producing most of the group’s songs. He also wrote for other artists. He last recorded in 2001 as a backup singer on Tyrese’s "For Always." That same year, the year of his death, Green revealed to Sister 2 Sister magazine that he was bisexual, and suffering from AIDS. He was 32.Kevin Peter Hall (1955 - 1991) - Hall was famous for his roles in “Predator” (1987), and “Predator 2” (1990). The 7-foot, 2-inch actor married actress Alaina Reed, who played Rose on the NBC sitcom "227." In 1990, Hall was involved in a car accident in L.A. and received a blood transfusion that was contaminated with HIV. Soon after the transfusion, he contracted AIDS and died from complications related to the disease on April 10, 1991. He was 35.

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Howard Rollins (1950 - 1996) - Rollins, starred in the box-office hit, "A Soldier's Story," which led to his role as Virgil Tibbs on the TV drama "In the Heat of the Night," died on Dec. 8, 1996 after complications from AIDS-related lymphoma. The Baltimore native had been diagnosed with the condition approximately six weeks earlier. He was 46.

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