Jeanette MacDonald's One and Only---Gene Raymond

Gene Raymond was born in Brooklyn, NY on Aug. 13, 1908, and began his career as a youngster on the stage. He made his very first appearance at the age of 5, and with the encouragement of his parents, especially his mother, Mary Smith Guion, he appeared steadily in such plays as "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch," "Mother Carey's Children" and "The Crowded Hour."

Raymond attended the New York Professional Children's School with other youngsters destined to reach fame and fortune in Hollywood. It was while he was in school that the aspiring actor made his Broadway debut at the Fulton Theatre in "The Piper." He continued doing stage work in a variety of roles, including "Eyvind of the Hills," "Why Not?" "The Potters" and "The Cradle Snatchers.” It was not too long until young Gene was being touted as "the nearly perfect juvenile" on Broadway and a short time later Hollywood called.

When Gene arrived in Hollywood, he signed with Paramount Pictures, legally changing his name from Raymond Guion to Gene Raymond. He made his motion picture debut in "Personal Maid" and continued with roles in "Forgotten Commandments," "Red Dust,” "Ex-Lady" and "Zoo In Budapest.” The name of Gene Raymond became well-known around the film city and he never seemed to have any idle time. The handsome blonde actor with the well-toned body worked with many of the big name stars of the day, including Jean Harlow, Bette Davis, Loretta Young and Barbara Stanwyck, but the one actress and singer who won his heart was the delightful and beautiful Jeanette MacDonald.

After a one-year formal engagement, they were married June 16, 1937, in one of the most elaborate weddings of the day. According to one Hollywood columnist, their plans for a quiet wedding ceremony became a major event when more than 15,000 fans appeared at the church. Many of Hollywood’s famous personalities entered the Wilshire Methodist Episcopal Church to watch Jeanette MacDonald walk down the aisle to marry Gene Raymond.

In 1941, Raymond enlisted in the U. S. Air Intelligence Service, and since he already had a pilot license he was commissioned as 1st Lieutenant Air Force in February 1942 at Bolling Field. After completing the course in the first class of the Army Air Force’s Intelligence School in Harrisburg, PA, he was assigned to the 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in the European theater of operations as a bomber pilot. This Polebrook, England-based group was the first B-17 group to initiate precision bombing. Later in 1942 he was assigned to Operations, Headquarters VIII Bomber Command at High Wycombe, England. After returning from overseas he commanded a B-17 squadron and a B-17 Group at Yuma Army Air Field in Arizona. Later he served as Staff Officer in Operations, Headquarters Western Flying Reserve Training Command. After separation in 1945, Col. Raymond commanded a reserve squadron at Long Beach, CA, later becoming Operations Officer of the 728th Squadron at Clover Field, CA. From 1954 to 1964 he maintained a M-Day assignment (Mobilization Day) as Chief, Operations and Training Division, Headquarters 15th Air Force, March Air Force Base, CA. Later he served in the Air Force Inspector General Office, Headquarters USAF. He also served as an instructor at the U.S. War College near Washington, D.C. In 1967 he transferred to the 63rd Military Airlift Wing, Norton Air Force base, CA, and piloted many jet fights into South Vietnam.

His distinguished military career lasted until his retirement from the service in 1968 as a command pilot. He had earned many of our country’s distinguished decorations, including the Legion of Merit. He attained the ranks of Captain and Major during World War II and the rank of Colonel in 1958. Colonel Raymond served as a combat crew member on a C-141 aircraft during a high priority mission to Southeast Asia shortly before his retirement in 1968.

Following his discharge from service he returned to Hollywood and films, appearing in "The Locket," "Sofie" and "Assigned to Danger." He then directed "Million Dollar Weekend," in which he also appeared. During the next several years he spent his time on stage, in films and television, including a stage appearance co-starring with Jeanette in “The Guardsman” in 1951.

The 28-year marriage of Jeanette and Gene Raymond was considered a rarity in Hollywood, but the two were well suited to each other and they shared many of the same interests. Both were fine riders and swimmers, both accomplished musicians (Gene composed, sang and played the piano), they shared fine senses of humor and quick minds, and they understood the importance of working at their marriage. They were proud of the accomplishments of the other and shared a mutual respect. The love story of Jeanette and Gene Raymond is far more romantic than any Hollywood writer could ever have concocted. The fact that they did not have children was a disappointment to them both, especially Jeanette.

The illness and death of his beloved Jeanette was a deep trial for Raymond but he continued working. He married Mrs. Nel Bentley Hees in 1974--she passed away in 1995. Gene passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 3, 1998 at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles after several years of declining health. He was laid to rest next to his beloved Jeanette at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. He was 89 years old.