Shawn Ray (born September 9, 1965 in Placentia, California, U.S.) is a former professional bodybuilder and author. Bodybuilding career In his 2005 interview, Ray said, "the two influences that were the main reasons that I got into bodybuilding in the first place, was bodybuilders Chris Dickerson and Bob Paris." In a 1990 documentary, Ray cited Francis Benfatto as a major inspiration, along with Paris. Known for his narcissism and sardonic temperament among his peers and current crop of IFBB male bodybuilders. His bad reputation was further exacerbated by insensitive public comments he made about Shawn Rhoden after his death on November 6, 2021. In over 30 major bodybuilding competitions, Ray only failed once to place in the top five. Signing his first professional bodybuilding sponsor contract in 1988, Ray has been featured in six video documentaries; Lifestyles of the Fit & Famous (Biopic), Final Countdown (Contest Prep for Olympia 1998), Inside & Out- Behind the Muscle, a look at his daily life on the Pro Circuit, To The Extreme (Training Video) Best of Shawn Ray (History of Shawn Ray). "Fitness After 40" which is a biographical and documentary instyle, showcases Ray's life after the competitive stage being married with his first child while getting back on the horse and getting in shape. He is mentioned in The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding by Bill Dobbins and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Ray also wrote a book about how to become a bodybuilder, named The Shawn Ray Way. Ray has appeared on more Flexible Magazine covers than any other bodybuilder in the history and also has also featured in many fitness and bodybuilding magazines worldwide. Ray was a co-host on Flex Magazine Workout on ESPN for 5 years as well as hosting bodybuilding competitions for ESPN as a commentator for 8 years. Ray was the Co-Master of Ceremonies for the 2006 and 2007 Mr. Olympia Competitions held in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is the creator of the only charity fundraiser for professional bodybuilding, Vyo Tech Nutritionals presents: Shawn Ray's CHOC Hospital Golf Invitational. Over the last ten years with the help of other pro fitness, figure and bodybuilding champions, as well as supplement companies and magazines, he has helped raise and donate over $55,000.00 to the Children's Hospital of Orange County by hosting this event annually at Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda, CA. Ray was also the first professional bodybuilder to fail