Series Description

The Fame TV show was a musical drama series that aired on NBC for its first two seasons and in syndication for another four seasons. It was about the faculty and the students at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. It didn't matter whether they desired a career as a singer, dancer, comedian, or composer. All of the teens were at a time in their lives where they dreamt of fame in their chosen art! Their frustration through the realization that fame would not come easily was the main focus of the series. The energy that most of them put into their dreams was amazing! Fame appealed to both the young, full of ambition, and the old who could watch and remember a time when everything seemed possible!

Fame Cast

Debbie Allen .... Lydia Grant
Gene Anthony Ray .... Leroy Johnson
Carlo Imperato .... Danny Amatullo
Albert Hague .... Mr. Benjamin Shorofsky
Ann Nelson .... Mrs. Gertrude Berg
Carol Mayo Jenkins .... Elizabeth Sherwood (1982-1986)
Billy Hufsey .... Christopher Donlon (1983-1987)
Valerie Landsburg .... Doris Rene Schwartz (1982-1985)
Bronwyn Thomas .... Michelle (1982-1985)
Cynthia Gibb .... Holly Laird (1983-1986)
Jesse Borrego .... Jesse V. Valesquez (1984-1987)
Nia Peeples .... Nicole Chapman (1984-1987)
Lee Curreri .... Bruno Martelli (1982-1984)
Morgan Stevens .... David Reardon (1982-1984)
Ken Swofford .... Quentin Morloch (1983-1985)
Loretta Chandler .... Dusty Tyler (1985-1987)
Graham Jarvis .... Mr. Bob Dyrenforth (1985-1987)
Dick Miller .... Mr. Lou Mackie (1985-1987)
Lori Singer .... Julie Miller (1982-1983)
Erica Gimpel .... Coco Hernandez (1982-1983)
Dave Shelley .... Caruso (1983-1984)
Janet Jackson .... Cleo Hewitt (1984-1985)
Page Hannah .... Kate Riley (1985-1986)
Olivia Barash .... Maxie (1986-1987)
Michael Cerveris .... Ian Ware (1986-1987)
Eric Pierpoint .... Jack (1986-1987)
Carrie Hamilton .... Reggie Higgins (1986-1987)
Elisa Heinsohn .... Jillian Beckett (1986-1987)
P.R. Paul .... Montgomery MacNeil (1982)

Fame Trivia:

There was a theatrical movie also titled, "Fame" that inspired this TV Show and premiered on May 16, 1980. Then the TV series aired for 135 episodes from 1982 through 1987.

Several of the Fame cast had also appeared in the Fame movie that inspired the series. Among them were Debbie Allen, Gene Anthony Ray, Albert Hague, and Lee Curreri.

The movie was actually filmed in New York City but the TV show was mostly shot in Los Angeles, California.

Many of the actors on the Fame TV show and the songs they sang became so popular that several of the Cast were able to book concerts in Britain. Those concert appearances were filmed and made into a TV special that aired in the U.S. in 1983! It was titled, "The Kids From Fame".

NBC canceled Fame after the second season because ratings were bad. It was up against stiff competition with "Magnum P.I." in its time slot on CBS. The critics loved Fame. It won 5 Emmys and several other awards while on CBS, and the producers knew it had potential so they continued filming new episodes for syndication and the series went on to air for 4 more years!

Many people believe that Irene Cara sang the theme song for the Fame TV show, but that is not true. Irene played the part of Coco Hernandez in the theatrical movie and also sang the title tune. It also became a big hit for her on the pop charts! On the TV show, however, Erica Gimpel played the role of Coco and she sang the theme song. If you've never seen the Fame TV show, you might remember Erica from her role as Angel Brown on "Profiler" or as Semiramis on the miniseries, "North and South".

Fame TV Show Opening Narrative

(Debbie Allen's voice as Lydia Grant)

"You got big dreams? You want fame? Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying ... in sweat."

Theme Song

Title: "Fame"

Written By: Michael Gore and Dean Pitchford

Performed By: "Erica Gimpel"

Fame!
I'm gonna live forever.
I'm gonna learn how to fly, High!
I feel it coming together,
People will see me and cry

Fame!
I'm going to make it to heaven,
Light up the sky like a flame, Fame!
I'm gonna live forever,
Baby remember my name,
Remember, Remember, Remember, Remember, Remember, Remember.

Fame!
I'm gonna live forever,
Baby remember my name,
Remember, Remember, Remember, Remember, Remember, Remember.