Ray Wiederhold

Ray Wiederhold was born on March 28, 1949, in the hardscrabble neighborhoods of New Haven CT, where he honed a quick wit and streetwise improv skills to fit in with a rough crowd. A year after high school, with no direction or gainful employment, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. His four-year enlistment included 18 months in Vietnam. After a shaky two years after returning home, Ray sought and got help for alcohol addiction. Two years sober he joined the police department. Now retired after a distinguished 29-year career and now 46 years of sobriety. He is most proud of his 20 years as Director of the CT Law Enforcement Torch Run For Special Olympics. Two years before retiring Ray enrolled in acting classes at the New England Actors Theater (NEAT). (He told no one the police job)!! Recommended by his acting teacher at NEAT, he was invited to audition for the renowned OffBroadway director Gene Frankle at his Bond St. NYC studio. Two years with Gene Frankle (Method) and then two with JoAnna Beckson (Meisner) his coach and acting mentor Committed to his dream, Ray made the 75-mile commute to NYC 3 times a week for 2 years. His first break came while still on the police department. He was cast in 'Heaven Can Wait" directed by Joe Griffasi, starring Leslie Uggams & Peter Rini, featuring Stephen McKinley Henderson at the Westport Country Playhouse. Ray's background and life experience lend themselves to making friends quickly with his fellow actors and director, which has been the hallmark of his career. After retirement Ray first moved to Manhattan where he continued taking classes. Most notably he studied Linklater's voice and language with Andrea Haring at The Circle In the Square Theater. Now living in Brooklyn, another break came when cast in "Mrs. Packard", the award-winning play written and directed by Emily Mann, the long-time artistic director at the Tony Award-winning McCarter Theater. Most notably It had an 8 performance run at the Kennedy Center. The play was the recipient of the 2007 Kennedy Center Fund of New American Play and starred Dennis Parlato, Kathryn Meisle, and John C. Vennema. Ray spent the last 16 years living and honing his skills in Brooklyn. When an agent recently asked about Ray to a colleague. "Ray is a one of a kind guy, served in Vietnam, had 29 years in law enforcement, worked as a private investigator and nightlife security supervisor in NYC. He's an accomplished spoken word poet and stand-up comic. But the thing Ray radiates is masculinity and empathy. He is the guy you run to when the shit hits the fan. You'll like him". Ray resides in Georgia.