Ray (2004)

Based On the Life of: Ray Charles

Starring: Jamie Foxx

Movie Budget: $40 million

Star Salary: $4 million

Ray Charles is one of the most famous blues musicians ever to live. Charles’ incredible life story inspired the biographical drama, simply titled, Ray, detailing his life. Written and directed by James L. White and Taylor Hackford, respectively, the film tells the story of how Charles went blind at the age of seven, and yet, despite his handicap, still ruthlessly pursued a music career.

The movie was produced jointly by Bristol Bay Productions and Anvil Films with a little help from Baldwin Entertainment Group. Distributed by Universal Pictures, Ray went on to make a whopping $124.7 million, three times it’s production budget, at the box office and even won Jamie Foxx an Oscar for his performance as Ray Charles.