Gene Rayburn
Gene Rayburn (December 22, 1917 – November 29, 1999) was an American radio and television personality. He is best known as the host of various editions of the popular American television game show Match Game for over two decades.
Background
Born Eugene Jelyevich in Christopher, Illinois, he was the only child of Croatian immigrants. Rayburn's father died when he was an infant and his mother moved to Chicago, where she met Milan Rubessa. After she married Rubessa, Rayburn took the name Eugene Rubessa . Rayburn graduated from Lindblom Technical High School and later from Knox College. While a student at Lindblom, he was senior class president and acted in the plays Robert of Sicily, and Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch.
Rayburn was married to Helen Ticknor from 1940 until her death in October 1996. They had one child, a daughter, Lynne. After Lynne's birth, Rayburn enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force and served in World War II.
Gene chose the stage name "Rayburn" by randomly sticking his finger in the phone book.
