Ray Rayner

Ray Rayner was an American television children's show host who entertained Chicago, Illinois youths from 1962 to 1980 on WGN-TV's Ray Rayner and His Friends show, which also starred animator and ventriloquist Bob Bell as Andy the Clown.

Ray Rayner is best known for his morning children's television show, Ray Rayner and His Friends, which aired on WGN-TV from 1962 to 1980. The show featured a mix of live action segments, cartoons, and puppetry, with Rayner playing various characters and interacting with his puppet friends.

Ray Rayner and His Friends aired weekdays on WGN-TV from 1962 to 1979. In 1979, the show was renamed The Ray Rayner Show and continued to air until 1980.

In addition to his role as the host of Ray Rayner and His Friends, Ray Rayner also appeared on other television shows in Chicago. He hosted a morning show on WBBM-TV from 1959 to 1962 before joining WGN-TV. He also made guest appearances on other local programs.

After retiring from television in 1980, Ray Rayner focused on his hobbies, which included collecting model trains and traveling. He occasionally made appearances at events, but largely stayed out of the public eye. Rayner passed away in 2004 at the age of 84.