Ray Loynd; Times Theater Writer

Ray Loynd, author, theater critic and entertainment writer whose free-lance articles frequently appeared in The Times, has died at the age of 64.

Loynd, who died Monday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, underwent major heart surgery last year and a kidney transplant this year and had suffered from cancer.

He was entertainment editor of the now-defunct Los Angeles Herald Examiner from 1972 until 1978 and had also written for the entertainment trade publications Hollywood Reporter and Daily Variety. He was a longtime member of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle.

Loynd wrote several books, including a log of the making of “Jaws II” with Susan Ford, daughter of the former President, and “$1-Million Down” with Beverly Hills real estate broker Elaine Young.

The veteran writer is survived by two sons and a granddaughter. They ask that any memorial contributions be made to the Autism Society or to the American Cancer Society.