Ray Erskine Parker Jr.

Ray Erskine Parker Jr. net worth is $2.5 Million. Also know about Ray Erskine Parker Jr. bio, salary, height, age weight, relationship and more …

Ray Erskine Parker Jr. Wiki Biography

Ray Erskine Parker Jr. was born on the 1st May 1954, in Detroit, Michigan USA, and is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor and producer, probably best known for his hit theme song written for the movie “Ghostbusters” (1984), for which he was nominated for an Oscar. Parker also played with his band Raydio (1977-1981) and was associated with Barry White. Being a prominent musician helped him to increase his net worth. He has been active since 1972.

Have you ever wondered how rich Ray Parker Jr. is, as of mid-2016? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Ray Parker’s net worth is as high as $2.5 million. In addition to his successful career in music, he is also a producer and an actor,which efforts have generated more money into his bank account.

Ray Parker Jr. is a son of Venolia Parker and Ray Parker Sr. and has a sister Barbara and brother Opelton. He went to Angel Elementary School, where started to play the clarinet at age six, encouraged by Afred T Kirby, his music teacher at the time. He later moved to Cass Tech High School, and graduated from the Northwestern High School, Detroit in 1971. Parker subsequently studied at the Lawrence Institute of Technology.

Parker wanted to leave his mark in music, and he started to play during the late ’60s and even co-wrote his first songs with the legendary Marvin Gaye when was 16. He had a job as a studio musician, and after some excellent performances, Ray moved into professional waters by playing guitar for Stevie Wonder’s funk song “Maybe Your Baby” in 1972. The link with Wonder was a good recommendation for Barry White to hir Parker as a sideman in his The Love Unlimited Orchestra in 1973. Ray also briefly appeared in the Sidney Poitier movie “Uptown Saturday Night” in 1974.

Ray Parker has written songs for many performers which has endeared him to the music world; the most notable have been The Carpenters, Aretha Franklin, Deniece Williams, Rufus and Chaka Khan, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, The Spinners, Boz Scaggs, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Herbie Hancock, and Diana Ross, but among many more too numerous to mention

Together with Vincent Bohnam, Jerry Knight, and Arnell Carmichael, Parker formed the band called Raydio in 1977, and had a big first single “Jack and Jill”, which reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Their debut, self-titled album released in 1978 went gold, while the following album “Rock On” (1979) reached #4 spot on the R&B chart. The band released another two studio albums – “Two Places at the Same Time” (1980), and “A Woman Needs Love” (1981) which reached the #1 spot on the Billboard chart. With all four albums being certified gold, and millions of records sold, Parker’s wealth significantly increased.

The band broke up in 1981, and Parkers started his solo career and had six Top 40 singles including “The Other Woman” (Pop #4) in 1982 and “Ghostbusters” in 1984. He received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song, but lost out to Stevie Wonder’s “I Just Called To Say I Love You”, but Parker did win a Grammy award in 1984 for the “Ghostbusters” theme. His debut solo album “The Other Woman” (1982), was the only one gold certified, and which reached the top of the R&B charts. “Woman Out of Control” (1983), “Sex and the Single Man” (1985), “After Dark” (1987), “I Love You Like You Are” (1991), and “I’m Free” (2006) were the following albums; most recently Parker appeared on ABC’s “Greatest Hits” in July 2016.

Regarding his personal life, Ray Parker Jr. married Elaine in 1994, and they have four sons. Parker was rewarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2014 for his contribution to music.

IMDB Wikipedia “Kids Incorporated” “A Woman Needs Love” (1981) “Rock On“ (1979) “Two Places at the Same Time” (1980) ”Greatest Hits” (1993) ”I’m Free” (2006) ”The Other Woman” (1982) $2.5 Million 1954 1954-5-1 21 Jump Street A to Z (2014) Actor American Aretha Franklin Arnell Carmichael Barry White Be Kind Rewind (2008) Boz Scaggs Cass Tech high school Deniece Williams Detroit Diana Ross Elaine Parker Fly by Night (1993) Ghostbusters (1984) Ghostbusters II (1989) Gibson Parker Son Gimme a Break Gladys Knight Guitarist Herbie Hancock Jericho Parker Jerry Knight Lawrence Institute of Technology Marvin Gaye May 1 Michigan Music Department Musician Northwestern High School Opelton Parker Pips Pryor’s Place Ray Erskine Parker Jr. Ray Parker Ray Parker Jr Net Worth Redman Parker Rufus and Chaka Khan Singer-songwriter Soundtrack Sr. Stevie Wonder Taurus The Spinners The Temptations Tina Turner Unsung (2015) Uptown Saturday Night (1974) USA Venolia Parker Vincent Bohnam Zombieland (2009)

Ray Erskine Parker Jr. Quick Info

Full Name Ray Parker Jr.
Net Worth $2.5 Million
Date Of Birth May 1, 1954
Place Of Birth Detroit, Michigan, USA
Profession Guitarist, Musician, Singer-songwriter, Actor
Education Cass Tech High School, Northwestern High School, Detroit, Lawrence Institute of Technology
Nationality American
Spouse Elaine Parker (m. 1994-)
Children Redman Parker, Jericho Parker, Gibson Parker Son
Parents Ray Parker, Sr., Venolia Parker
Siblings Opelton Parker
Twitter https://twitter.com/orayo
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rayparkerjr1/
IMDB http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0662018/
Record Labels Arista Records,
Albums “Rock On“ (1979), “Two Places at the Same Time” (1980), ”The Other Woman” (1982), “A Woman Needs Love” (1981), ”Greatest Hits” (1993), ”I’m Free” (2006)
Music Groups Raydio (1977-1981),
Movies Gimme a Break, Fly by Night (1993), Unsung (2015)
TV Shows 21 Jump Street, Kids Incorporated, Uptown Saturday Night (1974), Pryor’s Place, A to Z (2014)

Ray Erskine Parker Jr. Important Facts

  • He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 7065 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on March 6, 2014.
  • Brother of Opelton Parker.
  • Father of Gibson Parker, Jericho Parker and Redman Parker.
  • Was sued by Huey Lewis, who claimed that the “Ghostbusters” theme was similar to Huey Lewis and the News’ “I Want a New Drug.” It was later settled out of court. In 2006, Parker filed suit against Lewis, for reiterating his claim of plagiarism against Parker in a VH1 special. According to Parker, public statements on the matter were forbidden by the agreement.
  • Made two music videos for his 1982 Top 5 hit “The Other Woman”, both of which MTV refused to play because they did not fit the MTV “rock” format.
  • In 1977, Parker created the Raydio, an acid jazz and R&B group. The band is: Vincent Bohnam, Jerry Knight, Ray Parker Jr. and Arnell Carmichael.
  • Was a sideman in Barry White’s “Love Unlimited Orchestra” in the mid-1970s.

Ray Erskine Parker Jr. Filmography

Title Year Status Character Role
Tähdet, tähdet 2016 TV Series writer – 1 episode Soundtrack
The X Factor TV Series writer – 3 episodes, 2009 – 2016 performer – 2 episodes, 2016 Soundtrack
Lorraine 2016 TV Series performer – 1 episode Soundtrack
Superstar Duets 2016 TV Series writer – 1 episode Soundtrack
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon TV Series writer – 2 episodes, 2015 – 2016 performer – 1 episode, 2016 Soundtrack
Pencilmation 2016 TV Series short music – 1 episode Soundtrack
Ghostbusters 2016 performer: “Ghostbusters” – as Ray Parker, Jr. / writer: “Ghostbusters”, “Ghostbusters I’m Not Afraid”, “Get Ghost”, “Saw It Coming” – as Ray Parker, Jr. Soundtrack
Britain’s Got More Talent TV Series performer – 2 episodes, 2015 – 2016 writer – 2 episodes, 2015 – 2016 Soundtrack
Britain’s Got Talent TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2016 writer – 1 episode, 2016 Soundtrack
Mike & Mike TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2015 writer – 1 episode, 2015 Soundtrack
Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2015 writer – 1 episode, 2015 Soundtrack
Lego Dimensions 2015 Video Game performer: “Ghostbusters” / writer: “Ghostbusters” Soundtrack
Scandal 2015 TV Series writer – 1 episode Soundtrack
One Hit Wonderland TV Series documentary performer – 1 episode, 2015 writer – 1 episode, 2015 Soundtrack
The Last Man on Earth 2015 TV Series writer – 1 episode Soundtrack
Ex Machina 2015 lyrics: “Ghostbusters” / music: “Ghostbusters” Soundtrack
The Big Bang Theory TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2014 writer – 1 episode, 2014 Soundtrack
About Last Night 2014 performer: “Ghostbusters Instrumental Version” / writer: “Ghostbusters Instrumental Version” Soundtrack
Ride Along 2014 writer: “I Love Dem Strippers” Soundtrack
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues 2013 writer: “Ghostbusters” – as Ray Parker Soundtrack
EastEnders TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2013 writer – 1 episode, 2013 Soundtrack
All Access: Mayweather vs. Guerrero 2013 TV Mini-Series performer: “Ghostbusters” – uncredited / writer: “Ghostbusters” – uncredited Soundtrack
Amachan 2013 TV Series short writer – 2 episodes Soundtrack
Phelous & the Movies TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2012 writer – 1 episode, 2012 Soundtrack
Animal Practice TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2012 writer – 1 episode, 2012 Soundtrack
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia TV Series writer – 2 episodes, 2008 – 2012 performer – 1 episode, 2012 Soundtrack
Dancing with the Stars 2011 TV Series writer – 1 episode Soundtrack
Hawaii Five-0 TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2011 writer – 1 episode, 2011 Soundtrack
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno 2011 TV Series writer – 2 episodes Soundtrack
Castle TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2011 writer – 1 episode, 2011 Soundtrack
Some Jerk with a Camera TV Series documentary performer – 1 episode, 2011 writer – 1 episode, 2011 Soundtrack
Nostalgia Critic TV Series performer – 2 episodes, 2009 – 2011 writer – 2 episodes, 2009 – 2011 Soundtrack
Camping paradis 2011 TV Series writer – 1 episode Soundtrack
Ghostbusters Return 2010 Short “Ghostbusters” Instrumental Soundtrack
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon 2010 TV Series writer – 2 episodes Soundtrack
Scream Awards 2010 2010 TV Special performer: “Ghostbusters” / writer: “Ghostbusters” Soundtrack
Love Ranch 2010 writer: “You Got the Love” – as Ray Erskine Parker Jr. Soundtrack
Memòries de la tele TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2010 writer – 1 episode, 2010 Soundtrack
The Simpsons TV Series writer – 2 episodes, 2002 – 2010 performer – 1 episode, 2002 Soundtrack
Gonger 2 – Das Böse kehrt zurück 2010 TV Movie “Ghostbusters Ghostbusters Theme Song” / producer: “Ghostbusters Ghostbusters Theme Song” / writer: “Ghostbusters Ghostbusters Theme Song” Soundtrack
Zombieland 2009 performer: “Ghostbusters” / writer: “Ghostbusters” Soundtrack
Ghostbusters 2009 Video Game performer: “Ghostbusters” / writer: “Ghostbusters” Soundtrack
All Star Family Fortunes TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2009 writer – 1 episode, 2009 Soundtrack
Ain’t Afraid of No Ghosts: Creating ‘The Real Ghostbusters’ 2008 Video documentary short writer: “Ghostbusters” Soundtrack
Animating ‘The Real Ghostbusters’ 2008 Video documentary short writer: “Ghostbusters” Soundtrack
He Slimed Me! The Green World of Slimer and ‘The Real Ghostbusters’ 2008 Video documentary short writer: “Ghostbusters” Soundtrack
Something Strange in Your Neighborhood: The Creatures of ‘The Real Ghostbusters’ 2008 Video documentary short writer: “Ghostbusters” Soundtrack
Who You Gonna Call? The Heroes of ‘The Real Ghostbusters’ 2008 Video documentary short writer: “Ghostbusters” Soundtrack
Saturday Night Live 2008 TV Series writer – 1 episode Soundtrack
Be Kind Rewind 2008 performer: “Ghostbusters” / writer: “Ghostbusters” Soundtrack
Eddsworld 2007 TV Series performer – 1 episode Soundtrack
The Angry Video Game Nerd TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2007 writer – 1 episode, 2007 Soundtrack
Doctor Who 2006 TV Series writer – 1 episode Soundtrack
Just Like Heaven 2005 writer: “Ghostbusters” Soundtrack
Undercover TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2005 writer – 1 episode, 2005 Soundtrack
Freddy vs Ghostbusters 2004 Short performer: “Ghostbusters” – uncredited / writer: “Ghostbusters” uncredited, “Ghostbusters” Soundtrack
Ed TV Series performer – 1 episode, 2002 producer – 1 episode, 2002 writer – 1 episode, 2002 Soundtrack
Night Fever 2000 TV Series writer – 1 episode Soundtrack
Pop Up Video TV Series performer – 1 episode, 1998 writer – 1 episode, 1998 Soundtrack
Extreme Ghostbusters 1997 TV Series “Just Call The XGB” Main Title Soundtrack
The Real Ghostbusters 1986-1991 TV Series writer – 72 episodes Soundtrack
New Ghostbusters II 1990 Video Game writer: “Ghostbusters” – uncredited Soundtrack
Cheers TV Series performer – 1 episode, 1990 writer – 1 episode, 1990 Soundtrack
Ghostbusters II 1989 performer: “Ghostbusters” / producer: “Ghostbusters” / writer: “Ghostbusters” Soundtrack
DTV Monster Hits 1987 TV Movie performer: “Ghostbusters” Soundtrack
Quicksilver 1986 performer: “One Summer Day Dueling Bikes” / producer: “One Summer Day Dueling Bikes” Soundtrack
Bring on the Summer 1986 TV Special writer: “Mr Telephone Man” – uncredited Soundtrack
The 57th Annual Academy Awards 1985 TV Special documentary performer: “Ghostbusters” / writer: “Ghostbusters” Soundtrack
Fame 1985 TV Series writer – 1 episode Soundtrack
Solid Gold TV Series performer – 1 episode, 1985 writer – 1 episode, 1985 Soundtrack
Knight Rider 1984 TV Series writer – 1 episode Soundtrack
Ghostbusters 1984 performer: “GHOSTBUSTERS” / writer: “GHOSTBUSTERS” Soundtrack
Ray Parker Jr.: Ghostbusters 1984 Video short performer: “GHOSTBUSTERS” / writer: “GHOSTBUSTERS” Soundtrack
Fort Apache the Bronx 1981 performer: “It’s Time to Party Now” / writer: “It’s Time to Party Now” Soundtrack
Moment by Moment 1978 producer: “Hollywood Boulevard” / writer: “Hollywood Boulevard” Soundtrack
Top of the Pops TV Series writer – 6 episodes, 1976 – 1978 performer – 3 episodes, 1978 Soundtrack
A to Z 2014 TV Series Ray Parker Jr. Actor
The Kid Who Loved Christmas 1990 TV Movie Actor
Disorderlies 1987 Pizza Deliveryman Actor
Enemy Territory 1987 Will Actor
Charlie Barnett’s Terms of Enrollment 1986 Video L.A. Vice Cop #2 Actor
Berrenger’s 1985 TV Series Zack Shepard Actor
Uptown Saturday Night 1974 Ray (uncredited) Actor
Psi-Kix 2008 TV Series music by, 2008 Composer
You Can’t Change That 1982 Video short Composer
Extreme Ghostbusters 1997 TV Series composer – 2 episodes Music Department
Basketball Wife 2013 TV Series executive producer Producer
Fly by Night 1992 production assistant Miscellaneous
The Real 2016 TV Series Himself Self
Today 2016 TV Series Himself – Musical Guest Self
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 2016 TV Series Himself – Guest Musician Self
Inside Edition 2016 TV Series documentary Himself Self
Greatest Hits 2016 TV Series Himself Self
Hired Gun 2016 Documentary Himself Self
Cleanin’ Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters 2016 Video documentary Himself Self
Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris 2015 TV Series Himself – Guest, Singalong Live Self
The Story of Funk: One Nation Under a Groove 2014 TV Movie documentary Self
Nathan East: For the Record 2014 Documentary Himself Self
Actors Entertainment 2014 TV Series Himself Self
Celebrity Wife Swap 2013 TV Series Himself Self
Basketball Wife 2013 TV Series Himself Self
Unsung 2011-2012 TV Series documentary Himself Self
Recorded Live 2011 TV Series Himself Self
Brian Culbertson: Live from the Inside 2009 Video Himself Self
The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards 2009 TV Special Himself – Performer Self
Loose Women 2009 TV Series Himself Self
Die Hit-Giganten 2008 TV Series documentary Himself Self
Let the Music Play: The Barry White Story 2007 TV Movie documentary Himself Self
Greatest Ever Comedy Movies 2006 TV Movie Himself Self
The 100 Greatest Family Films 2005 TV Movie documentary Himself Self
Best Ever Family Films 2005 TV Movie documentary Himself Self
I Love the ’80s 2002 TV Series documentary Himself Self
VH-1 Where Are They Now? 2002 TV Series documentary Himself Self
American Bandstand’s 50th Anniversary Celebration 2002 TV Movie Himself – Performer Self
MTV Video Music Awards 1990 1990 TV Special Himself Self
21 Jump Street 1990 TV Series Himself Self
Ebony/Jet Showcase 1986-1988 TV Series Himself Self
Family Reunion: A Gospel Music Celebration 1988 TV Movie documentary Himself Self
Soul Train 1980-1988 TV Series documentary Himself / Himself – Guest / Themselves Self
Showtime at the Apollo 1987 TV Series Himself – Guest Host Self
Top of the Pops 1978-1987 TV Series Himself Self
New American Bandstand 1965 1978-1987 TV Series Himself Self
The 14th Annual American Music Awards 1987 TV Special Himself Self
Joan Rivers: Can We Talk? 1986 TV Series Self
The 13th Annual American Music Awards 1986 TV Special Himself Self
Solid Gold 1985 TV Series Himself – Host / Himself – Co-Host Self
The 57th Annual Academy Awards 1985 TV Special documentary Himself – Performer & Nominated: Best Original Song Self
Pryor’s Place 1984 TV Series Himself Self
Gimme a Break! 1984 TV Series Himself Self
Na sowas! 1984 TV Series Himself Self
Champs-Elysées 1984 TV Series Himself Self
Ray Parker Jr.: Ghostbusters 1984 Video short Himself Self
Soul City USA 1984 TV Movie Himself Self
The 10th Annual American Music Awards 1983 TV Special Himself Self
The American Music Awards 1982 TV Special Himself Self
You Can’t Change That 1982 Video short Himself Self
The Midnight Special 1978-1979 TV Series Himself / Himself – Host Self
Memòries de la tele 2010 TV Series Himself Archive Footage
Top of the Pops 2 2007 TV Series Himself Archive Footage
Hittimittari 1984-1985 TV Series Himself Archive Footage
Top of the Pops 1978 TV Series Himself Archive Footage

Ray Erskine Parker Jr. Awards

Year Award Ceremony Nomination Movie Category
2014 Star on the Walk of Fame Walk of Fame Recording On March 6, 2014. At 7065 Hollywood Blvd. Won
1985 BAFTA Film Award BAFTA Awards Best Original Song Ghostbusters (1984) Won
2014 Star on the Walk of Fame Walk of Fame Recording On March 6, 2014. At 7065 Hollywood Blvd. Nominated
1985 BAFTA Film Award BAFTA Awards Best Original Song Ghostbusters (1984) Nominated