He was replaced by Joe Farago. In 1992, Rayburn also made an appearance on New York shock jock Howard Stern's late-night TV variety show as one of the stars of his Hollywood Squares parody, Homeless Howiewood Squares, in which homeless people were supposedly the contestants. Gene was born on December 22, 1917, as Eugen Jeljenic in Christopher, Illinois, the United States of America, to Croatian immigrant parents. Personal Details & Biography. When you share a memory, or just show that you care by interacting with the biography, He always flew by jet from his home in Massachusetts to host his various shows. In their first few years as a married couple, the Illinois native was serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. Average Age & Life Expectancy Lynn M Rayburn lived 40 years shorter than the average Rayburn family member when she died at the age of 32. After her marriage, Rayburn was given his stepfathers name, and was called Eugene Rubessa. He was 81. Get to know more about the late television hosts spouse. He suffered from dementia and congestive heart failure at the time of his death. Rayburn's pairings with Lescoulie and Finch helped to popularize the now-familiar morning drive radio format. Before appearing in television, Rayburn was an actor and radio performer. He built a legacy and became a household name in the 50s. In 1974, he became a guest host on the game show Tattletales. Read all about Lynn Rayburn with TV Guide's exclusive biography including their list of awards, celeb facts and more at TV Guide. He remains one of the most respected iconic TV and radio personalities ever. After his father died at a very young age, his mother moved to Chicago and married Milan Rubessa, and Gene adopted his stepfather's name. Past Addresses: Costa Mesa CA, Huntington Beach CA +1 more. Gene Rayburn Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life & Achievements In 1980, Rayburn was a guest star on the television show The Love Boat. By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. So, how much is Gene Rayburn worth at the age of 82 years old? His wife is Helen Ticknor (23 December1939 - 13 October1996)( her death)( 1 child). He expressed these concerns when he appeared on Game Show Hosts week on Card Sharks in 1980, where he played for Planned Parenthood as his favorite charity. She remained the only child that the star and his wife ever had. [4] He was cremated and his ashes spread in the garden of his daughter's home. Rayburn's classic microphone got a lot of abuse from Gene using it as a sword, or a javelin. Helen Ticknor (23 December1939 - 13 October1996)( her death)( 1 child). Lynne departed this 2,421 square foot home in 2017. In an episode of Match Game 74, Rayburn spoke Serbo-Croatian with a contestant, mentioning that his parents were born in what was then Yugoslavia. next to their name to remove from the family tree. Gene continued his success onto the television screen. Years later, he chose his stage name Rayburn by randomly searching the phone book. We'll connect you with others who know the person you follow. Gene Rayburn was born on December 22, 1917, in Christopher, Illinois. Genes father perished when he was a toddler, and his mother remarried after relocating to Chicago in 1919. These earned him immense wealth over time. Gene Rayburn (born Eugene Peter Jeljenic;[1] December 22, 1917 November 29, 1999) was an American radio and television personality. [citation needed]. The Illinois native began hosting The Match Game in 1962 and was also brought on to host its other spinoffs in the years that followed. He also invented the long thin microphone that he carried on the show. Upon returning home, he established a career as a radio host before setting his sights on television. Get the news that matters from one of the leading news sites in Kenya, East Pokot Residents Have No Share in Our Gov't, Rigathi Gachagua Declares, Raila Odinga Claims Pastors Misled Ruto Believe He Would Deliver as President: "They've Defiled the Land", Shakahola Shocker: Autopsies Link Children Deaths to Starvation, Lack of Oxygen, Uganda: Father, Teen Son Die After Mine They Were Drawing Sand From Collapsed, Buried Them Alive, US markets mixed after First Republic Bank takeover, Bolt Food courier registration: requirements, salary, contacts, Who is Adam Lambert's partner? place of death: Gloucester, Massachusetts, United States, See the events in life of Gene Rayburn in Chronological Order, (American Popular Television and Radio Personality Known for Hosting Numerous Editions of 'Match Game' Shows), https://decider.com/2016/12/22/today-in-tv-history-gene-rayburn/, http://soref.tv/match-game-74-episode-165/. Before World War Two, he went to announcers school and worked with Mr. Rayburn, a recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, had been nominated for five Daytime Emmy awards. Met Julie London when she was a guest on The Steve Allen Plymouth Show (1951), years later, London would reunite with Rayburn on Match Game (1973). Add family and friends whose lives she impacted. Fishing Reports by Captain Lynn Atkinson His life away from television has remained a mystery to many viewers of the classic series. Lynne Rayburn, 67, was charged with operating a motor vehicle after license revocation after having been declared a habitual offender of traffic laws, a felony statute that carries a mandatory. Who were the people in Lynn's life? Counts may not reflect the number of records that will appear in search results. After Rayburn left WNEW, his co-host, Finch, continued the format with another host Gene Klavan. Monthly rental prices for a two-bedroom unit in the zip code 01930 is around . No. The Biography section is collaborative, where we work together to present the facts. He is best known as the host of various editions of the popular American television game show Match Game for over two decades. His father died when he was an infant. Personal details about Lynn include: political affiliation is currently a registered Republican; ethnicity is Caucasian; and religious views are . When he returned to host the revamped version of, When asked what his greatest fear was, he replied, "Being caught This show lasted nine months on NBC. The cause of his death was not surprising. The presence or absence of records for any individual is not a guarantee of any kind. Lynne appeared in one episode of The Match Game in 1966. Helen made several appearances on the show with her husband up until 1976. Fast Facts. and The Maury Povich Show and The Late Show with Ross Shafer (Shafer hosted the 1990 Match Game revival). The show returned with a significantly changed format in 1973 on CBS (also in daytime) and became a major success, with an expanded panel, larger cash payouts, and emphasis on humor and innuendo. He is from USA. Lynne Rayburn photos, including production stills, premiere photos and other event photos, publicity photos, behind-the-scenes, and more. Gene Rayburn daughter was named Lynn. She died in October 1996 while still married to the television show host star. Their only daughter Lynne was born in 1942. A popular talk show, it was number 1 in the ratings since its debut. This was At the time of his death, Gene was worth $4 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. From 1953 to 1959, he was the announcer for Steve Allen on the "Tonight Show," on NBC-TV delivering comic weather reports and acting in sketches with comedians Louis Nye and Buddy Hackett. and To Tell the Truth. For a publicity shot, he put the mike in his teeth as if it was a long stemmed rose. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Rayburn was associated with Tonight for the next three years and he became a household name. Rayburn was also a frequent panelist in the 1960s and 1970s on What's My Line? Prior to acting, co . Like it is the case with most other actors, he did not hit it off immediately. afterwards, he was called to Military Service and joined the U.S. Air His witty nature made the show even more captivating as fans could not wait to watch and listen to him. He died on November 29, 1999 due to congestive heart failure, while he was at his daughter's home in Gloucester, Massachusetts. A game show specialist, he also hosted ABC's The Name's the Same, and NBC's Make the Connection, Dough-Re-Mi and Play Your Hunch. He also acted in theaters, and some of his popular roles were in Bye Bye Birdie and La Cage Aux Folles. Gene also displayed great enthusiasm in acting and took part in the plays Robert of Sicily, and Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch. Discover Gene Rayburn's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. albeit for a price. He had accumulated a lot of this amount through his career. Gene had only one wife and was never married to Somers. The couple had only one daughter called Lynne, that was born in 1942. Spokeo's database, while extensive, does not contain all U.S. warrant, arrest, court, or other related records. Married, dating and sexuality, 100+ best one word comments for a girl's picture on Instagram, Adolfas Simba: Kisii Man Taking Care of Paralysed Wife Begs Well-Wishers to Build House for Them, Taita Taveta UDA Senatorial Candidate Carries Placard on Streets to Plead for Job from Ruto, 7 Stunning Photos of Youthful Videographer Who Perished in Grisly Accident Survived by Mr Seed, After pan-bashing, France's Macron faces Labour Day protests, Germany hopes to help climate with discount travel card. Fish among flocks of mallards, cormorants, coots, pelicans and other migratory birds that call Rayburn home during the fall & winter. Rayburn was invited to host the show, and he introduced a new format, which included celebrities. Lynn K Rayburn, 69 - Fresno, CA - Reputation & Contact Details - MyLife.com His breakthrough came in the mid-50s as the Filled in for Bud Collyer for one episode of To Tell the Truth (1956). Despite having been a famous TV host, his signature show was The Match Game. Lynne can be reached by phone at (978) 525-2956 (Verizon New England, Inc). Lynne departed this 3 bed / 2 bath home in 2017. In their first few years as a married couple, the Illinois native was serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. Phone & Email (4) All Addresses (4) Family (4) Social; alum found love with his wife, Helen Ticknor, and was married to her up until her death in 1996. Their only daughter Lynne was born in 1942. Lynne Rayburn is 61 years old and was born on 08/19/1961. Gene had another half-brother called Millan Rubessa Jr. that came into the family after his mother remarried. He once hosted a local New York City show on WNEW-TV, Helluva Town, and between game show stints in 19821983, he returned to WNEW-TV as host of a weekly talk and lifestyles show titled Saturday Morning Live. Lynn M Rayburn was born on April 27, 1966. The original series only aired for 3 seasons due to low ratings. Just before his death, he visited with the panelists he'd gotten to know so well. A month later, on November 29, 1999, he died of heart failure at his daughter's home in Gloucester, Massachusetts, at age 81, 24 days shy of his 82nd birthday. He died on November 29, 1999 due to congestive heart failure, while he was at his daughter's home in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Also during the run of the 1970s Match Game, Rayburn and his wife Helen appeared on the game show Tattletales, hosted by Bert Convy. Later he served as an usher for the NBC symphony orchestra. ")[citation needed] Rayburn reveled in this freewheeling new approach and often indulged in funny voices, banter with the celebrities, and mock arguments with the technical crew. ", On television, he also acted in such live dramas on "Kraft Theatre" and "Robert Montgomery Presents.". He was cremated, and his ashes were spread in the garden of his daughter's home. Gene Rayburn - Television Personality, Timeline and Personal Life In 1974, he became a guest host on the game show, . During the years when Match Game was taped in Los Angeles (19731982), Rayburn lived in Osterville, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. He got married in 1942 and soon after joined the military service U.S Air Corps. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Lynn M Rayburn. Friends can be as close as family. They had one child, a daughter. Star Perdita Weeks' Bikini Photos, See Your Favorite Celebrity Couples in Swimsuits: Best Beach Photos, Meet Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone's Daughters Vivian and Georgette, Pure Sunshine! [9], Rayburn portrayed himself on a Saturday Night Live sketch in 1990, which featured Susan Lucci (as her character from All My Children, Erica Kane). Mark Goodson presented him with a needlepoint kit on the air as a gift when Match Game became the number one show on daytime television. Share what Lynn did for a living or if she had a career or profession. and married Milan Rubessa, and Gene adopted his stepfather's name. This was alleged to have proved that record promoters could pay DJs to play records on stations for bribes, making the songs very popular, albeit for a price. He passed on peacefully after battling sickness for some time. Join Facebook to connect with Lynn Rayburn and others you may know. See What AncientFaces Does, ", "The Love Boat series regulars and episode guide", Rayburn hosts NBC Monitor radio program (audio files), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gene_Rayburn&oldid=1152281635, United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II, Robert Lindblom Math & Science Academy alumni, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox military person with embed, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 29 April 2023, at 08:14. Lynne Rayburn, (978) 525-2956, Gloucester Public Records Instantly In 1955, he took over as host of the summer replacement game show Make the Connection from original host Jim McKay (and appearing with his WNEW morning show successor Gene Klavan). At one point in his stage career, Rayburn's stand-in was future Match Game panelist Charles Nelson Reilly. As a means of surviving, he first became a pageboy for NBC, and later worked as an usher for the NBC symphony orchestra before he could even get closer to his dream career. His last TV appearance was in 1998, when he appeared in an interview with Access Hollywood, a program to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the CBS game show Match Game. When 2 or more people share their unique perspectives, If he were alive today, Gene Rayburn age would be 103 years as of 2020. [4] His daughter Lynne blamed this, and the subsequent lack of work he received, for sending him into a downward spiral. Old "Match Game" episodes are now played twice a day on cable's Game Show Network. Find census, military, and other historical records.*. Gene Rayburn (born Eugene Peter Jeljenic; [1] December 22, 1917 - November 29, 1999) was an American radio and television personality. On television, he acted in live dramas like Kraft Theatre and Robert Montgomery Presents. A recipient of the lifetime achievement award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, he had been nominated for several Daytime Emmy awards. As Gene Rubessa, he acted in high school plays and hoped to follow an acting career. "[citation needed] Rayburn usually played it straight, though he would make jokes as the situation warranted. After his father died at a very young age, his mother moved to Chicago and married Milan Rubessa, and Gene adopted his stepfather's name. Closer Weekly is part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Copyright a360media 2023. When we share what we know, together we discover more. The Love Boat alum found love with his wife, Helen Ticknor, and was married to her up until her death in 1996. Template:Multiple issuesGene Rayburn (December 22, 1917 - November 29, 1999) was an American radio and television personality. Business Solutions. The show was formerly hosted by fellow game show host Bob Barker, before Drew Carey, took over. What was Gene Rayburn cause of death? Did you know that he started his career as an actor by making regular appearances with Ozzy and his family in the first season of The Osbournes? Mr. Rayburn, who was born in Christopher, Ill., moved to New York in the 1930s to become an opera singer. Invite family and friends to share what they know about Lynn M Rayburn. Match Game host Gene Rayburn was known for his infectious personality and love for game shows. (recorded by Teresa Brewer) and co-authoring the lyrics of the song "Hop-Scotch Polka" with Carl Sigman (both 1949). Gene Rayburn died on November 29, 1999, of congestive heart failure. It was the first known instance of what came to be called "Legionnaires Disease.". He found a job as a page and tour guide at NBC studios at 30 Rockefeller Plaza instead. There's tremendous development in the media industry, but the old days were still awesome. But why? Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Phone Number: (586) 222-EBHW +3 phones. However, they never officially divorced. in the family tree section to add relatives, or press the "X" The unfortunate event happened at his daughter's Gloucester, Massachusetts home. What Shows Have Been Renewed or Canceled? Gene Rayburn was a famous TV host. At Lindblom, he was senior class president and acted in the plays Robert of Sicily and Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch. However, this time the show lasted for just nine months on NBC.During his stint with the US Air Force, he was trained in meteorology, which he occasionally demonstrated on the Match Game show. Gene Pooch Glorious Daughter Figures Photographer More information . is 6'1"(1.85m) . He hosted ABC's "The Name's the Same," and NBC's "Make the Connection," "Dough-Re-Mi" and "Play Your Hunch," before the "The Match Game" premiered in 1962. the heart becomes full The famous Gene Rayburn Match Game host married Helen Tricknor, in 1940. The questions in the original game were ordinary, like "Name a kind of muffin," or "John loves his ____________. Select " [relationship]" At 82 years old, Gene Rayburn height Where was Lynn born and where did she live? He ended his brief tenure to return as co-host of Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour. Lynne maintains relationships with many people -- family, friends, associates, & neighbors -- including Gene Rayburn, Helen Rayburn, Gilbert Welch and Wendy Lawrence. Just before World War Two happened, he attended announcers school, after which he worked with various radio personalities around New York City. 6 birth, 1 death, 8 marriage, 2 divorce, View Their only daughter Lynne was born in 1942. He was 81 years old at the time of his death. However, he did not take any credit for his role. Whatever happened to Gene Rayburn? Personal Details & Biography. View property details and household demographic information related to income, investments, and interests. Facebook gives people the power to. Select "Add Memory" to share stories and photos. His success as a disc jockey gave him the opportunity to sign a contract with NBC, which made Rayburn the first announcer on The Tonight Show. He continued with the show for six years, delivering comic weather reports and acting in sketches with comedians like Louis Nye and Buddy Hackett. Game Show Hosts Who Are Actually Terrible People - Grunge Rayburn's final TV appearance was in an interview for the A&E Biography episode profiling the life of his longtime boss Mark Goodson; though taped in late 1999, the episode did not air until June 4, 2000, several months after Rayburn had died. Select the pencil to add details. Before moving to Lynne's current city of Clinton Township, MI, Lynne lived in Troy MI, Huntington Beach CA and Costa Mesa CA. He portrayed himself on Saturday Night Live, a late night live television variety show, in 1990. [citation needed], Rayburn co-hostedwith his wife and Peter Emmonsthe Drum Corps International finals of the DCI Championship for two years, which were telecast on PBS from Philadelphia's Franklin Field in 1976 and Denver's original Mile High Stadium in 1977. After his father died at a very young age, his mother moved to Chicago This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Tricknor, in 1940, with whom he had one child, Lynn, in 1942. Lynne resides in a single family house in Clinton Township, MI with Karen. He is a member of famous Actor with the age 82 years old group. Gene Rayburn's net worth Lynn also answers to Lynn K Rayburn, and perhaps a couple of other names. [citation needed]. He landed the lead role in the Broadway musical Bye Bye Birdie when Dick Van Dyke left the show. Lynne also answers to Lynne Ann Rayburn, Lynne A Grizzell and Lynne A Rayburn, and perhaps a couple of other names. Search for profiles by email and username. Rayburn enjoyed needlepoint and did it regularly on his many flights to and from California. Fellow game show host Wink Martindale had a long-standing friendly feud with him, along with Chuck Woolery. For a long time, the former star was unwell. He was cremated, and his ashes were spread in the garden of his daughter's . Even though he must have seen the nipples blooper many times, he still looked incredibly embarrassed after they showed it. Did Lynn finish grade school, get a GED, go to high school, get a college degree or masters? His father died when Rayburn was an infant. Radiation leaked into the environment, resulting in a rating of 5 on a scale of 7 ("Accident With Wider Consequences") . Despite this, he still received his Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the part he played in the industry. Add Lynn's family friends, and her friends from childhood through adulthood. Gene Rayburn (December 22, 1917 - November 29, 1999) was an American radio and television personality. It ended up costing $1 billion to clean up the site. Copyright 1999-2023 AncientFaces, Inc. All Rights Reserved. He commuted to California every two weeks to tape 12 shows over the course of a weekend (five daytime shows and one nighttime show per taping day). Gene attended Lindblom Technical High School and later Knox College. Many know him as part of The Osbournes celebrity family, which he has made several appearances on the familys show. In 1955, he replaced the original host Jim McKay on the NBC game show Make the Connection. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/gene-rayburn-8562.php. Menu. He also appeared in the plays Charles Nelson Reilly, Kraft Theatre and Robert Montgomery Presents.. In 1997, ex-panelist, In the many appearances he made on talk shows and specials, fans could count on seeing his "pretty nipples" blooper, which was edited out of the original broadcast, and the "cuckoo friend and Ollie" answer. He first appeared on Robert Q. Lewis's The Name's the Same; Rayburn frequently sat in for regular panelist Carl Reiner. Writer Dick DeBartolo, a veteran of the original show, created funnier and often risqu questions ("After being hit by a steamroller, Norman had to slide his ____________ under the door. Rayburn hosted many other shows, and appeared as a guest in others like: His last television appearance was in 1998 when he was featured in an interview with Access Hollywood that coincided with the 25th anniversary of the CBS game show, Match Game. we begin to show & tell who our loved ones were during particular moments in their lives. He died on November 29, 1999 due to congestive heart failure, while he was at his daughter's home in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The late Gene Rayburn with ten-year-old daughter Lynn, pictured with the family pooch in this 1952 magazine photograph. More information The late Gene Rayburn with ten-year-old daughter Lynn, pictured with the family pooch in this 1952 magazine photograph. Gene brought in a new format whereby contestants would attempt to match the responses of six celebrities. Did Lynn serve in the military or did a war or conflict interfere with her life? How tall was Gene Rayburn? Unabashedly asked innuendo-laden questions on Match Game. 5 Norman Aven, Gloucester, MA 01930-5248 is the residential address for Lynne. acting career. Gene Rayburn married Helen Ticknor in 1940, and was married to her till her death in October 1996. Television career with Gene in 1971, a game show featuring hilarious hidden camera antics. Music! Gene chose the stage name "Rayburn" by randomly sticking his finger in the phone book.[5]. Off-camera, Baldwin is something of a hothead. Photos, memories, family stories & discoveries are unique to you, and only you can control. Born as Eugene Jelyevich on December 22, 1917, in Christopher, Illinois, he was the only child of his parents, who were from Croatia. Survivors include his daughter, Lynne Rayburn of Gloucester. Gene Rayburn married Helen Ticknor in 1940, and was married to her till her death in October 1996. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. Rayburn was instrumental in highlighting corruption on radio, by Gene Rayburn was nominated for five Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Host/Hostess in a Game or Audience Participation Show. Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. He started out as a promising actor, who, according to critics, got sidetracked at the beginning of his acting career, and hence, chose to become a disc jockey. When the war ended, he worked on the Rayburn and Finch Show. He became the announcer on Tonight! Helen made several appearances on the show with her husband up until 1976. AncientFaces is a place where our memories & family stories live. He showed tremendous leadership skills at the learning institution, where he was a senior class president. This made him a game show icon, emulated by many that came later. Soon afterwards, he was called to Military Service and joined the U. S. Air Corps. He was best known for the different incarnations of Match Game between 1962 and 1982. Lynne appeared in one episode of, in 1966. The show ended in 1979. This 2 bath home is the most recent address for Lynne. announcer on, - IMDb Mini Biography By: Scott-msa0510@mail.ecu.edu. He is best known as the host of various editions of the popular American television game show Match Game for over two decades. BY ANCESTRY.COM. His wife of 56 years, Helen, who appeared with him on the short-lived 1970s game show "Tattletales," died in 1996. Gene Rayburn - Interesting stories about famous people, biographies Experiences, organizations, & how she spent her time. Match Game was revived a number of times over the years and Helen stuck by her hubbys side as he traveled from their home in Massachusetts to California to film the program. Before he was a successful game show host, he used to host Today (1952) with Dave Garroway, who in turn was replaced by him, every once in a while. , money, salary, income, and assets. It soon became the highest-rated show on daytime television.[8]. She also appeared on an episode of. playing an older song so many times that it became a hit. Search for birth, death, marriage, divorce, US Census, and military records. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. See 'Magnum P.I.' In 1955, he hosted his first game show called The Sky's the Limit (1954). He married Helen One of Rayburns last TV appearances was a 1998 interview with Access Hollywood intended to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Match Game '73. His passion was enough to make him go ahead in life. Mr. Rayburn, a recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, had been nominated for five Daytime Emmy awards. Soon it became the number one game show on daytime television, and continued to be so till 1977. She was born in 1942. The show host was known for his towering height. Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. He also appeared on several other talk shows throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, including Vicki!, The Maury Povich Show, and The Late Show with Ross Shafer. He appeared on Howard Stern's late-night TV variety show as one of the stars of his Hollywood Squares parody, Homeless Howiewood Squares. Gene Rayburn, 81, Longtime TV Host of 'The Match Game' Because it was a live show, very few episodes were recorded; only four are known to exist. Rayburn identified as a liberal politically[11] and was a supporter of Planned Parenthood. Rayburn's daughter, Lynne, is his only child, birthed by his late wife, Helen Ticknor who passed away in 1996. Another exciting thing about Gene Rayburn is that he enlisted in the United States Army Air Force and served in World War II. Gene Rayburns income source is mostly from being a successful Actor.