Matinee Classics - Gene Raymond Biography & Filmography

Gene Raymond ACTOR

PHOTOS

GENE RAYMOND BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Gene Raymond was born on August 13th, 1908 in New York City, New York with the birth name Raymond Guion. As a teen he studied at the Professional Children's School and also began gaining some experience as a stage actor appearing in such productions as, "Rip Van Winkle" and "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch".

At only seventeen years old, Raymond was given the chance to appear on Broadway in the play, "The Cradle Snatchers". He worked as a stage actor on a number of other productions before finally having his film screen debut in 1931 on, "Personal Maid".

Soon he began to add other film credits to his resume such as, "If I Had a Million" (1932) starring Gary Cooper, Charles Laughton, George Raft, Charlie Ruggles, Roscoe Karns, Jack Oakie and W.C. Fields, "Red Dust" (1932) co-string Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and Mary Astor, "Zoo in Budapest" (1933) starring alongside Loretta Young and Paul Fix, "Ex Lady" (1933) with Bette Davis Fank McHugh, "Flying Down to Rio" (1933) starring with Doores del Rio, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, "I Am Suzanne" (1934) with Leslie Banks and Lilian Harvey and "Sadie McKee" (1934) also starring Joan Crawford, Franchot Tone and Edward Arnold.

During World War II, Raymond took a break from acting to serve as a pilot in the United States Army Air Force. He worked overseas in England during 1942 and then returned to the United States in 1943 and following the war coming to an end, Raymond remained with the United States Air Force Reserve not retiring until 1968 as a colonel.

Other films he added to his credits included, "Cross Country Romance" (1940) starring with Hedda Hopper, Wendy Barrie and an uncredited Alan Ladd at the beginning of his short yet illustrious career, "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" (1941) starring Carole Lombard, Robert Montgomery and Jack Carson, "The Locket" (1946) starring with Laraine Day, Brian Aherne and Robert Mitchum and "Million Dollar Weekend" (1948). He also appeared on a variety of television series throughout his career such as, "The Name of the Game", "Ironside", "Hondo", "Laredo", "Playhouse 90", "Climax!", "The Defenders", "My Living Doll", "Burke's Law", "The Outer Limits" and "The Red Skelton Hour" among many others.

In addition to his film work, he also wrote such songs as, 'Will You?' and was also a well a composer, director and producer. He wrote, directed and starred in "Million Dollar Weekend" (1948) and the television series, "Fireside Theatre" (1949).

Gene Raymond was honored with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contribution to the Motion Picture and Television Industry.

Gene Raymond married twice throughout his lifetime, first to actor and singer Jeanette MacDonald whom he wed in 1937 and they remained together until she passed away in 1965. He then married Nel Bentley Hees in 1974 and they remained together until 1995 when she passed away. He never had any children and rumor had it, Raymond was bi-sexual. He passed away on May 2nd, 1998 in Los Angeles, California after suffering from pneumonia.

Filmography