Gene Rayburn's Life Before, During And After Hosting 'Match Game'

• Mothers With Will
• Women With Will
• News
• Celebrity
• • Musicians
  • TV Shows
  • Royals
  • Fashion
  • Hollywood
  • Athletes
  • Influencers
• Real Life
• Latest
• Trends
• Terms of use
• Privacy Policy
• Notice at collection
• Main Guidelines
• About us
• Contact us
• Advertise with us

Do not sell my personal informationHomeCelebrityTV ShowsWikimedia Commons/ NBC (PD)Gene Rayburn's Life Before, during and after Hosting 'Match Game'By Busayo Ogunjimi Apr 27, 202004:30 A.M.Share

American show host Gene Rayburn, who was famous for hosting the classic TV show, "Match Game," led a remarkable life throughout his lifetime.

Advertisement

Gene Rayburn was born on December 22, 1917, in Illinois. After the death of his father, the family moved to Chicago, where his mother got married to Milan Rubessa.

After graduating from Lindblom Technical High School, Rayburn attended Knox College for a while but later dropped out due to a lack of funds.

Gene Rayburn on set of a TV show | Photo: Getty Images

In 1930, Gene moved to New York, where he worked as a page for NBC. He later went on to work as an usher for the NBC Symphony Orchestra.

Advertisement

Before World War II broke, Rayburn took classes at an announcer's school, which helped him work with different radio personalities around New York.

Frank Sinatra laughs with television announcer Gene Rayburn backstage during the filming of an episode of the television variety program 'The Steve Allen Show,' New York, New York, August 19, 1956 | Photo: Getty Images

Gene got married to his wife, Helen Ticknor, in 1949, and the couple had a daughter, Lynn, two years into their marriage.

After the war, Gene began to work on the "Rayburn and Finch Show" and, later, the "Gene Rayburn Show," in the early fifties. His breakthrough came in the mid-50s as the announcer on "Tonight!" (1953), with Steve Allen.

Advertisement

Gene had dementia in his last days, and he later died of congestive heart failure on November 29, 1999, at the age of 81

Gene Rayburn on set of a TV show | Photo: Getty Images

Rayburn and Allen became popular on the show, which ran for three years. Rayburn, however, remained a household name for many years after that.

Gene hosted his first game show called "The Sky's the Limit" in 1955. He subsequently hosted several game shows, one of which was "Match Game."

Gene Rayburn on set of a TV show | Photo: Getty Images

Advertisement

On and off between 1962 and 1982, Rayburn worked as the host of different versions of the Classic TV game show. He went on to have a successful career, which he credited to his personality.

"Match Game" went on to become the most-watched daytime show for four years straight, and according to Charles Reilly, it was more of social engagement and less of a game show.

CBS Radio personalities Gene Rayburn and Dee Finch pose for The Rayburn and Finch Show in New York, NY on June 8, 1951. | Photo: Getty Images

Although Gene enjoyed the fame and success that came with his involvement with various game shows, he remained frustrated about his inability to gain prominence in acting.

AdvertisementRead also

Bruce Willis's Wife Responds to Critics Who Judge Her for Living Separately from Her Husband

KISS Star Gene Simmons Has Been Hospitalized – Details

Bruce Willis, 70, Spotted Out and About amid His Dementia Battle — Photos

While opening up about his love for acting, Rayburn described the profession as a burning ambition for him. He explained that acting made him feel as though he was in another world.

Gene Rayburn on set of a TV show | Photo: Getty Images

A month before his passing, he managed to appear in person to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award from the "Academy of Television Arts & Sciences."

Sadly, Gene had dementia in his last days, and he eventually died of congestive heart failure on November 29, 1999, at the age of 81.

ShareAdvertisement AdvertisementRelated posts

First Responders Wheeled Bryant Gumbel Out of His Manhattan Apartment on a Gurney

October 22, 2025

Once a '70s Child Star, She Left the Spotlight to Raise 6 Children, Including One with Autism – Her Story

August 14, 2025

'Friends' Star Matt LeBlanc Steps Out With His 21-Year-Old Daughter in Rare Public Outing

October 18, 2025

'I'm Sensitive in My Spirit and Soul': The Amazing Transformation of Former Teen Idol Robby Benson, 69, in 35+ Photos

October 02, 2025

Gladys Knight's Son Shanga Hankerson Drops Concerning Claims About the Icon's Well-Being in a Bombshell Revelation – Details

August 13, 2025

This '00s Idol Gained Weight, Came Out as Gay & Was Diagnosed with an Incurable Condition – Before vs. After Pics

July 30, 2025

Bruce Willis's Wife Spoke up About Decision to Live Separately

September 10, 2025

35+ Pics of David Cassidy's Transformation — Whose Fan Club Was 'Bigger Than the Beatles and Elvis Put Together'

November 05, 2025

KISS Legend and Co-Founder Ace Frehley Has Died – Details

October 16, 2025

Ace Frehley's Final Family Decision Before Musician's Death at 74

October 17, 2025

Simon Cowell Calls His Rarely-Seen Son Eric, 11, 'The Most Amazing Thing That Ever Happened' – His Transformation in 30 Photos

September 03, 2025

Top newsKaroline Leavitt and Her Husband Are Expecting – Details

December 27, 2025

Big Brother' Star Mickey Lee Dies at 35 – Details

December 27, 2025

Nicole Kidman Sparks Buzz with New Hairstyle – Photo

December 26, 2025

Read alsoBruce Willis's Wife Responds to Critics Who Judge Her for Living Separately from Her Husband

September 01, 2025

KISS Star Gene Simmons Has Been Hospitalized – Details

October 08, 2025

Bruce Willis, 70, Spotted Out and About amid His Dementia Battle — Photos

November 07, 2025