Cullin, Ray: Papers, 1967-1992

Biogaphy

Ray Cullin (1931-2018) was a long-time television and radio producer and broadcaster.

Cullin was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas. He attended Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas for two years. His broadcast career began at this time, working for KVOP radio station as a disc jockey and sports announcer. He left WBU in 1951 to join the United States Air Force and serve during the Korean War. He continued his entry into broadcasting assigned to the Armed Services Radio and Television Service.

Upon his return to Texas, Cullin worked first for KCBD-TV Lubbock, Texas and KGNC-TV and radio in Amarillo, Texas.

In the very early 1960s, Cullin moved to Burbank, California and began his NBC broadcasting career which lasted for over 33 years. Working both for the local station, KRCA, and then renamed KNBC (Channel 4, Los Angeles) and for the national NBC network news, Cullin had a career as a correspondent, show producer, political field reporter, NBC Bureau Chief (Houston, TX), NBC White House producer, and west coast producer of the NBC Nightly News.

He was closely associated with the Reagans covering all of Ronald Reagan's political campaigns from 1965-1984, and he covered the opening of the Reagan Library in 1991. Cullin came out of retirement to assist NBC news cover the funeral of President Reagan in 2004. NBC associates note that First Lady Nancy Reagan was fond of NBC cameraman Jim Smith, which allowed for easier access for the local NBC broadcasting team in general.

Other notable events Cullin has covered include the Alaska earthquake of 1964, the Exxon Valdez oil spill and the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster. During his career, Cullin received a local TV Emmy in Los Angeles for a story he produced on the city's drug problems, the Abe Lincoln Award of Merit for the coverage of the Reagans and other honors.

After leaving his broadcasting career, Cullin and his wife retired to Sun City West, Arizona in 1994. He died there on January 8, 2018.