Biography

Raymond is a veteran writer, director, and producer who has been in the industry for over 30 years. He was an actor back in the day while pursuing the above avenues. Now, the focus of his career has been behind the camera. As a writer, he has worked with everyone from Academy Award Winning producer, Fred Roos, to Dustin Hoffman, Murray Schisgal, Jay Cohen, Colleen Camp, Paramount Studios' past president, John Goldwyn, along with Julia Pistor, just to name a few. For 10 years, he was part of the writing/directing team that created and founded PM Entertainment, which was run by producer, Joseph Merhi (Alex and Emma, The Whole Ten Yards).

In New York, Raymond studied acting with legends such as Lee Strasberg, Uta Hagen, and Brett Warren at The Actor's Mobile Theater. He also was a member of the protégés at the ATA Theater for playwrights and actors whose board members included Robert DeNiro, Paul Sorvino, and Barbara Bel Geddes.

In Los Angeles, Raymond was a part of the original "Actors Gym for Playwrights" back when Bobby Moresco and Paul Haggis were both work shopping their scripts such as "Million Dollar Baby" and "Crash" which both went on to win Oscars for best screenplays.

Some of Raymond's film credits include, "Da Vinci's War", "To the Limit", "Skyscraper", "American Born", "Detour", "East L.A. Warriors", to name a few, and he was known for his television credit in the TNT Drama Series, "L.A. HEAT".

Film Awards: - Received the "Awards 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". The Outside the Box 2013 Film Festival. - 1994 Best Comedy Award at the Milan Comedy Festival for his film, "Dumb Luck in Vegas", which he co-wrote and directed with Joey Travolta.

Theater Awards: - LA Drama Critic's Award Nomination for his direction of the play, "Stooplife" at the renowned Cast Theater - LA Drama Critic's Award Nomination for Playwriting in "Road Runner at the Paradise Drive In" also at The Cast Theater.

Raymond also runs a school called Inclusion Films, founded by Joey Travolta - a practical film workshop in Burbank, dedicated to men and woman with developmental disabilities. Raymond can relate, as he too, was once an illiterate kid from the Bronx, and now an accomplished award-winning writer, who's on a mission to create impactful films, through his work, and the work at Inclusion Films. He has also helped employ many of his students with some of the top productions in the industry. Inclusion films also inspire and brings in A list people to help teach and mentor the guys and girls at the institution. Industry folks such as Ron Bass, Ed Asner, Fred Roos, Bobby Moresco, Pierre Spengler, Conrad Pope, and Joe Mantegna (whose daughter is a student) are just a few who have supported the school. He looks forward to the continual pursuit of surrounding himself with top caliber work in film and television.