- In 1977, when Cliff Robertson began an investigation into financial discrepancies regarding Columbia Pictures' dealings with him that revealed Columbia president David Begelman had forged checks made out to Robertson, Stark warned him that if he pressed ahead with his investigation, Begelman would commit suicide. Robertson said he would do "what a citizen should do in this situation." Begelman was sacked from Columbia but his eventual suicide many years later wasn't connected with the incident. Stark made sure Robertson was blacklisted. The story is detailed in David McClintick's book, "Indecent Exposure.".
- While putting together "Funny Girl," its producer, David Merrick, took Stark and his wife to see an unknown singer perform at the Bon Soir in Greenwich Village. At first the Starks balked at using Barbra Streisand, but settled for her when they couldn't get Eydie Gormé or Carol Burnett and their initial choice, Anne Bancroft, pulled out. Known for his Machiavellian ways, Stark forced Streisand to sign a four-picture deal with his Rastar Productions to play Brice in Funny Girl (1968). They also collaborated on The Owl and the Pussycat (1970), The Way We Were (1973) and Funny Lady (1975). But there was obvious bitterness--after "Funny Lady" wrapped, Streisand sent Stark an antique mirror on which she had written in lipstick, "Paid in full.".
- The producer of the original Broadway production of "Funny Girl" (1964), the film Funny Girl (1968) and its sequel, Funny Lady (1975). In real life, he is the son-in-law of Fanny Brice, the famous "Ziegfeld Follies" entertainer whose life is depicted in those three shows.
- The production company he founded in the 1960s was appropriately named: Rastar - Ra(y)star(k).
- He once acted as Raymond Chandler's agent.
- Was nominated for two Tony Awards in 1964: as Best Producer (Musical) as a producer of Best Musical nominee "Funny Girl."
- He graduated from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey with a Bachelors degree in 1935.
- In the wake of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, Jobs for a Future and Proyecto Pastoral, a community-organizing project begun at Dolores Mission, launched their first social enterprise business in an abandoned bakery that Hollywood producer Ray Stark helped them purchase. They called it Homeboy Bakery.
- After the triumph of Romeo and Juliet (1968), he bought the rights to Henry De Vere Stacpoole's "The Blue Lagoon" in England in 1970 with the intention of casting Kurt Russell and newcomer Susan Dey in the lead roles.
- He took over the production duties of Annie (1982) after David Begelman was sacked from Columbia Pictures.
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