Ray Bolger

publicity photo of Bolger, by Marcus Blechman, for Broadway musical “All’s Fair”/”By Jupiter,” 1942

Birth Name: Raymond Wallace Bolger

Date of Birth: January 10, 1904

Place of Birth: Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States

Date of Death: January 15, 1987

Place of Death: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: Irish

Ray Bolger was an American actor, dancer, singer, vaudevillian, and stage performer. He began his career in silent films. He played Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz (1939).

Ray was the son of Anne/Annie C. (Wallace) and James Edward Bolger. His parents were born in Massachusetts, both of them of Irish descent. The family’s surname was always Bolger. The internet rumor that Ray’s birth surname was Bulcao, and this his father was of Portuguese descent, is not correct.

Ray was married to Gwendolyn Rickard, until his death.

Ray’s paternal grandfather was named Raymond Bolger. Ray’s grandfather Raymond was born in Massachusetts, to Irish parents.

Ray’s paternal grandmother was named Maria Mahoney. Maria was born in Rhode Island, of Irish origin.

Ray’s maternal grandfather was named William Wallace. William was Irish.

Ray’s maternal grandmother was named Joanna Hassett. Joanna was Irish.

Sources: Birth record of Ray Bolger – https://familysearch.org

Ray Bolger on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Marriage record of Ray’s parents – https://familysearch.org

Ray’s father on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Ray’s father on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org