Ola Ray is an American model and actress best known for her iconic role as Michael Jackson’s girlfriend in the groundbreaking 1983 music video Thriller, one of the most famous and influential videos in music history.
Ola Ray was born on August 26, 1960, in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. As of 2026, she is 65 years old. She holds American nationality, and her zodiac sign is Virgo. She grew up in St. Louis with her parents, six brothers, and two sisters before the family relocated to Sacramento, California, and later to Tokyo, Japan (1975–1978),
where her stepfather was stationed at Yokota Air Force Base with the U.S. Air Force. In Tokyo, she began her professional singing and dancing career alongside her twin brother and sister. After returning to the United States in 1978, she settled in Los Angeles to pursue entertainment..
Personal Details
| Full Name | Ola Ray |
| Profession | Model, Actress |
| Date of Birth | 26 August 1960 |
| Age | 65 |
| Birthplace | St. Louis, Missouri, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Friends | Jamie Jett |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
| Current Residence | USA |
Career
Ola Ray began her career in entertainment during her time in Japan, performing as a singer and dancer with her siblings. After moving to Los Angeles in 1978, she pursued modeling and acting. She achieved a major milestone as Playboy Playmate of the Month in June 1980, one of the early Black American women featured in that capacity. She secured an exclusive contract with Johnson & Johnson to promote their Classy Curl hair product following the Playboy appearance.
Her breakthrough came in 1983 when director John Landis cast her as Michael Jackson’s girlfriend in the Thriller music video. The 14-minute short film became a cultural phenomenon, and her chemistry with Jackson was widely praised—she later described him as “the funniest person ever” and noted the role was fun despite its intensity. She had small roles in films such as Fear City (1984), The Night Stalker (1987), and Beverly Hills Cop II (1987, as a Playboy Playmate), along with other modeling and ad work.
In 2009, she sued Michael Jackson’s estate for unpaid royalties from Thriller and received a settlement. After stepping away from the spotlight for a time (including as a stay-at-home mom following her daughter’s birth in 1995), she has made occasional media appearances, interviews, and reflections on her life and the Thriller experience. As of 2026, she maintains a low public profile but is remembered as a trailblazer in modeling and music video history.
Personal Life
Ola Ray had one daughter with Terry Clark, born in 1995, after which she focused on motherhood and stepped back from the industry for a period.
Physical Appearance
| Height | 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) |
| Weight | [Unknown] |
| Eye Color | [Unknown] |
| Hair Color | [Dark / Varies in photos] |
| Body Type | [Curvy / Model build during career] |
| Body Measurements | [Not publicly detailed post-career] |
| Shoe Size | [Unknown] |
| Bra Size | [Not publicly detailed] |
Ola Ray Net Worth 2026
Ola Ray’s estimated net worth in 2026 is approximately $500,000 USD, according to various sources. This figure reflects earnings from her modeling caree, acting roles, the Thriller video, and occasional appearances or interviews.
FAQs
Who is Ola Ray?
Ola Ray is an American model and actress best known for playing Michael Jackson’s girlfriend in the 1983 Thriller music video.
How old is Ola Ray ?
She is 65 years old (born August 26, 1960).
What is Ola Ray’s height?
She is 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) tall.
