Biography
Raymond is an experienced writer, director, and producer with over 30 years in the industry. Early in his career, he also worked as an actor while pursuing writing, directing, and producing. Today, his career is primarily focused behind the camera. As a writer, he has collaborated with notable figures such as Academy Award-winning producer Fred Roos, Dustin Hoffman, Murray Schisgal, Jay Cohen, Colleen Camp, former Paramount Studios president John Goldwyn, and Julia Pistor, among others. For a decade, he was part of the writing and directing team that established PM Entertainment, led by producer Joseph Merhi (known for Alex and Emma, The Whole Ten Yards).
In New York, Raymond studied acting under renowned teachers like Lee Strasberg, Uta Hagen, and Brett Warren at The Actor's Mobile Theater. He was also a protégé at the ATA Theater, an organization for playwrights and actors with board members including Robert DeNiro, Paul Sorvino, and Barbara Bel Geddes.
In Los Angeles, Raymond participated in the original "Actors Gym for Playwrights," where Bobby Moresco and Paul Haggis worked on scripts such as Million Dollar Baby and Crash, both of which won Oscars for best screenplays.
His film credits include Da Vinci's War, To the Limit, Skyscraper, American Born, Detour, and East L.A. Warriors. He is also recognized for his television work on the TNT drama series L.A. HEAT.
Film Awards:
- Award of Merit for his documentary Through the Heart of Tango at the 2013 Indie Fest.
- Best Animation Short for his screenplay Hannah Lost Her Smile at the Outside the Box 2013 Film Festival.
- 1994 Best Comedy Award at the Milan Comedy Festival for Dumb Luck in Vegas, which he co-wrote and directed with Joey Travolta.
Theater Awards:
- LA Drama Critics’ Award nomination for directing the play Stooplife at the Cast Theater.
- LA Drama Critics’ Award nomination for playwriting for Road Runner at the Paradise Drive-In, also at the Cast Theater.
Raymond also runs Inclusion Films, a practical film workshop in Burbank founded by Joey Travolta, dedicated to men and women with developmental disabilities. Drawing from his own experience as a formerly illiterate child from the Bronx, Raymond is now an accomplished, award-winning writer committed to creating impactful films through his work and at Inclusion Films. He has helped many of his students secure jobs on top industry productions. Inclusion Films also attracts A-list professionals who teach and mentor its students, including Ron Bass, Ed Asner, Fred Roos, Bobby Moresco, Pierre Spengler, Conrad Pope, and Joe Mantegna, whose daughter is a student. Raymond remains dedicated to continually surrounding himself with top-tier projects in film and television.
