Trivia

The only person, ever, to receive a standing ovation on his first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962). He did a comedy routine.

Died on his wife's birthday.

Shortly before his death, Ray Combs had his last comedy club close due to financial troubles and disputes with business associates, went into debt by several thousand dollars on bank loans and credit cards, all of which led him to suicide.

On July 4, 1988, Ray Combs was introduced formally to America as the new host of Family Feud (1988).

Children: Raymond Neil Combs III (born September 15, 1978); Kelly Jo Combs (born August 25, 1980); Whitney Nicole Combs (born June 26, 1983); Chelsy Jae Combs (born July 2, 1987); Kirby Lee Combs (born October 30, 1988) and Cody Ryan Combs (born March 16, 1991).

Was involved in an automobile accident that nearly left him paralyzed in the summer of 1994.

After the 1993-1994 season, due to declining ratings, Goodson Productions decided to let Richard Dawson return as host of Family Feud (1988), replacing Combs. The ratings continued to slide, and the show was canceled in 1995.

Was a stand up comedian.

Was friends with wrestling manager Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, who, in his autobiography, said he felt Combs being a game show host was an insult.

In an attempt to make a post-Family Feud (1988) comeback, he tried out for a proposed talk show that never materialized.

Hosted his second and final game show Family Challenge (1995) on The Family Channel, which lasted until his death in 1996. Reruns continued to air until after his death until fall 1996 when future Match Game (1998) host Michael Burger replaced Combs. The show was canceled in early 1997.

Best remembered by the public as the second host of Family Feud (1988).

On June 7, 1996, Combs' funeral was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Glendale. His remains were flown back to his hometown of Hamilton, Ohio, where he was interred at the Greenwood Cemetery.

Hosted his first game show, Comedy Challenge (1986), in 1986.

Worked as a furniture salesman in Indianapolis before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in stand up comedy.

Combs also made an appearance for the World Wrestling Federation as a guest ring announcer at WrestleMania VIII, where he amused the capacity crowd at Indianapolis' Hoosier Dome by lashing into the team of the Nasty Boys, The Mountie, and Repo Man with various scathing insults before being ultimately chased out of the ring. He later served as a guest commentator alongside Vince McMahon and Bobby Heenan at Survivor Series 1993 in a match of the Hart Family against Shawn Michaels and his Knights.

Actor Lonzo Jones lived in his guest house in Glendale, California.

Worked with Gene Wood on 2 game shows: Family Feud (1988) and Family Challenge (1995).

Toured extensively around the United States to promote the show, and made guest appearances on Card Sharks and The Price Is Right to discuss the new version of Family Feud with respective hosts Bob Eubanks and Bob Barker.