Television host Ray Rayner, who entertained Chicago's children for decades, is dead.
WGN-Ch. 9, where Rayner played several roles, announced his death on its Noon News.
Rayner was first known to television audiences as "Sgt. Henry Pettibone," host of the "Dick Tracy" show on WBBM-Ch. 2 beginning in 1961, WGN reported. Also that year, he joined WGN's "Bozo's Circus" as "Oliver O. Oliver," WGN recounted.
Rayner also presented WGN's "Breakfast with Bugs Bunny," later renamed "Ray Rayner & His Friends," the station said.
Rayner left "Bozo's Circus" in 1971 but continued with "Ray Rayner and His Friends" until 1981, when he left Chicago to become a weather forecaster for the CBS affiliate in Albuquerque, N.M., WGN said.
He returned for guest appearances on "The Bozo Show" in 1984, as Oliver O. Oliver on "The Bozo 25th Anniversary Special" in 1986, and as himself on "WGN-TV: Chicago's Very Own at 40" in 1988. He co-hosted "The Bozo Show 30th Anniversary Special" as himself in 1991, according to WGN.
In 2000, Rayner was inducted into the Chicago Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' Silver Circle, WGN said.
Ray Raynor always did art projects on his show, and made a mess whenever he used glue. I've always had trouble with tape, so I refer to myself as "the Ray Raynor of tape" when trying to seal packages. I just loved both his children's show and his clown persona, Oliver O Oliver on Bozo's Circus.
Dana Pearl
January 06, 2026 | Other
I would watch Ray Rayner & Friends before school till 8am, then I would ride my bike as fast as I could to make it on time for school which started at 8:15am. At Olson Jr High in Woodstock Illinois. I sure wish I was back in those glorious days. Never will I forget those times in life. Also I loved Ray on Bozo Circus.
Ricky Schiller
December 25, 2025
Ray was the start of my day before I went to grammar school. He was a part of my daily routine, and I thought of him as a treasured family member. Thanks for the great memories!!
Jan Bahno, Bolingbrook, IL
June 27, 2023 | Other
Remembered By
Robert Rieck
June 20, 2023 | Chicago, IL | Friend
What great memories of my sister and I watching in the morning before school. What a Chicago icon.
Kevin Maes
April 02, 2022 | Burbank, IL | Friend
Ray Rayner was well known in our house. I watched him all through the 1960’s, mostly on the Ray Rayner and Friends show. After graduating from high school, I continued to watch his show on occasion. The craft projects, which never seemed to turn out just right, were classic. The cartoons, they were fabulous. They don’t make them like that anymore. i was saddened when I went to tune into the show one morning and found something else on in its time slot. I was further saddened when learning of...
Dave D
July 08, 2021 | Yes, AZ
I have very good memories from my childhood because of Ray Rayner. I remember that he also hosted (I think on Sunday nights) a show in which he introduced Laurel and Hardy movies. This was in addition to the many other shows he did.
Andy Thorsen
October 13, 2020
huge part of my childhood !!! He was like a Dad on TV. Loved Him
Chris Jozwiak
June 30, 2020 | Villa Park, IL | Friend
Always your fan Ray
Thank you for all the mornings you were there to keep me company and the great entertainment you always provided each day before my school began. You were a kind soul and taught me a lot about being a good person. You are no doubt an angel now and Heaven is a better place because of you and the earth is a little darker now that you've left us. Rest in peace, we love you. Your fan David S. Lewis. Waukegan, Illinois
David Lewis
March 09, 2019 | Waukegan, IL
