Nicholas Ray (born Raymond Nicholas Kienzle) (August 7, 1911–June 16, 1979) was an American film director.

Coming out of a radio background, Ray directed his first film, "They Live By Night", in 1947. It was released two years later due to the chaotic conditions surrounding Howard Hughes' takeover of RKO Studios.

Ray's most productive and successful period was the 1950s, although his sympathy for society's outsiders and rebels clearly predated the 1960s counterculture. Amongst his films from this period are Rebel Without A Cause, In A Lonely Place, Johnny Guitar and Party Girl. His films frequently feature an outsider who is trying to break into mainstream society.

Although best known for his work in the film noir genre, he worked in a number of genres, including western films and social drama .

A bisexual and heavy user of drugs and alcohol, Ray found himself increasingly shut out of the Hollywood film industry in the early 1960s. After collapsing on the set of 55 Days at Peking (1963), he would not direct again until the mid-1970s. Shortly before his death he collaborated on the direction of "Lightning Over Water" with German director Wim Wenders.

Ray's expressionistic use of color and mis-en-scene would influence American cinema for many years.

Selected filmography

• Knock On Any Door (1949)
• A Woman's Secret (1949)
• They Live By Night (1949)
• In A Lonely Place (1950)
• On Dangerous Ground (1951)
• Born To Be Bad (1949)
• Flying Leathernecks (1951)
• The Lusty Men (1952)
• Johnny Guitar (1954)
• Rebel Without A Cause (1955)
• Bigger Than Life (1956)
• Amère Victoire [Bitter Victory] (1957)
• Party Girl (1958)
• The Savage Innocents (1960)
• King Of Kings (1961)
• 55 Days at Peking (1963)