Billy Ray Valentine

William "Billy Ray" Valentine is one of two the main protagonists of the 1983 comedy film Trading Places. Bill Ray was a poor man and a con artist who lived on the streets of Philadelphia. However, he then became wealthy businessman after he was used by Mortimer and Randolph Duke an experiment for Nature vs. Nurture. He is portrayed by comedian Eddie Murphy, who also portrayed Prince Akeem Joffer in Coming to America and Axel Foley in the Beverly Hills Cop film series.

Biography
Growing up in poor home Billy Ray had to learn how to survive on streets, becoming streetwise and a con-man. One day during Christmas time, Billy Ray was pretending a blind and crippled war veteran, at the Heritage Club Billy Ray begged the wealthy brothers, Mortimer and Randolph Duke, for money, but they refused and the doorman of the Heritage Club told him to leave. While in the park, Billy Ray continued his con until he was confronted by two police officers, due to some complaints received. When Billy Ray tries to continue his con, he then claims that was in the Vietnam War, the two police officers, who were actually in Vietnam, ask where was he in Vietnam War and what division he was in. After failing to convince the officers, who reveal then reveal him faking him being crippled, Billy Ray, claims he miraculously can walk and see, and then walks away from the officers. When Billy Ray begins walking past the Heritage Club and sees a police car pull up, he walks in the opposite direction of the car and bumps into Louis Winthrope III, who works for the Duke brothers.