Gene Rayburn (born Eugene Rubessa December 22, 1917 – November 29, 1999) was an American radio and television personality best known for hosting The Match Game. Eugene Rubessa (pronounced /ruːˈbeɪʃə/) in Christopher, Illinois, was an only child of Croatian immigrants and graduated from Knox College.
He chose his stage name by randomly pointing at a page in the telephone book, after being told Rubessa sounded "too Italian".
Gene sub-hosted for Bud Collyer in the 60s on To Tell the Truth.
