Remember those cozy evenings snuggled up watching Ray Barone and his hilariously eccentric family? If you grew up in the early 2000s, chances are “Everybody Loves Raymond” was a regular fixture in your living room. This critically acclaimed sitcom, which ran from 1997 to 2005, perfectly captured the everyday quirks of a working-class family, giving us a heartfelt and often side-splitting look at life with a put-upon wife, bickering parents, and a neurotic brother.
“Raymond” wasn’t just a hit; it was a phenomenon. The show nabbed 15 Primetime Emmys, consistently garnered critical acclaim, and even averaged over 20 million viewers during its peak. More importantly, the cast became household names, forever etched into our memories as their beloved characters. But what happens after a show that massive wraps up? Do they vanish into the Hollywood abyss, or do they continue to light up our screens and stages?
It’s time to take a deep dive into what happened to the brilliant ensemble that made “Everybody Loves Raymond” such a timeless classic. While some found even greater success, others faced quiet retirements or heartbreaking tragedies. Get ready to journey back with us as we uncover the incredible paths of these legends of laughter, seeing what they’ve been up to since they last graced our screens as the Barones. Let’s see what the cast looks like today, and what amazing things they’ve accomplished.
1. **Ray Romano (Ray Barone)**Most people today have definitely heard of Ray Romano, the talented actor and comedian whose life became the very inspiration for “Everybody Loves Raymond.” His journey to stardom began in standup comedy, but it was a five-minute performance on “The Late Show with David Letterman” that truly changed everything. That iconic appearance convinced David Letterman himself to develop a TV sitcom around Romano, and as they say, the rest is history. “Everybody Loves Raymond” quickly became a massive success, launching Romano into a different stratosphere of fame.
During and after his time as the lovable sportswriter Ray Barone, Romano became an incredibly busy man. He landed a high-profile voice acting gig as Manny the wooly mammoth in the hit animated film “Ice Age” and its many sequels, including a sixth entry due in 2026. This role cemented his voice in another beloved franchise. Beyond animation, Romano also explored more dramatic roles, showcasing his versatility in projects like TNT’s “Men of a Certain Age” and the popular series “Parenthood,” where he appeared in 44 episodes between 2012 and 2015.
His dramatic ventures also included collaborations with filmmaking legends. He teamed up with Martin Scorsese for HBO’s “Vinyl,” and later co-starred with Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci in Netflix’s critically acclaimed film “The Irishman.” While these later projects might not have achieved the same level of widespread acclaim as “Everybody Loves Raymond,” Romano has successfully carved out a niche in Hollywood as a solid character actor. His recent work on Apple’s “Fly Me to the Moon,” and the TV shows “No Good Deed” (slated for 2025 release with Lisa Kudrow, Linda Cardellini, and Luke Wilson), and “Bookie,” further demonstrate his range.
Despite his diverse roles, audiences often still see him as Ray Barone, a testament to the character’s enduring impact. Ray himself revealed on an episode of “Real Time with Bill Maher” that a reboot of “Everybody Loves Raymond” is “out of the question” due to the passing of Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts, stating, “They’re never as good. We want to leave with our legacy as what it is.” Romano was particularly close to his costar Doris Roberts and was devastated by her passing, vowing to follow her example of lifelong learning. In his personal life, Ray, born Raymond Albert Romano in Queens, N.Y., has been married to Anna Scarpulia since 1987, after they met as bank tellers. They share four children: daughter Alexandra “Ally” Romano, and twin sons Gregory and Matthew – whose names were given to the Barone twins, Geoffrey and Michael, on the show. Many members of his real-life family even appeared in small roles on “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Romano, now 66, even made his directorial debut with the film “Somewhere in Queens” in 2023.
2. **Patricia Heaton (Debra Barone)**For nine seasons, the world watched and empathized with Debra Barone, Ray’s loving yet constantly annoyed wife, who dealt with his silly antics and overbearing in-laws daily. Patricia Heaton brought a relatable, even sympathetic, quality to the character, often stealing entire episodes with her sharp comic timing and impeccable line delivery. Her powerful portrayal earned her seven Emmy nominations and two wins, solidifying her status as a beloved television star and opening doors to even more significant work.
Before becoming the iconic Debra, Heaton had already appeared in TV shows like “Matlock” and films such as “Memoirs of an Invisible Man” and “Beethoven.” But it was her role on “Everybody Loves Raymond” that truly launched her into the spotlight. Following the sitcom’s finale, Heaton continued her successful run on television by landing the part of Frankie Heck in the long-running ABC series “The Middle,” opposite Neil Flynn. This show lasted for another nine seasons, earning strong reviews and several awards, further showcasing her talent for comedic roles centered around family life.
Heaton’s career post-“Raymond” has been incredibly robust and varied. She lent her voice to the animated comedy “Smallfoot” and starred in the CBS series “Carol’s Second Act,” where she played a mom pursuing medical school. She even made an appearance in the latest iteration of “Frasier,” reuniting with Kelsey Grammer whom she had previously worked with on “Back to You.” Beyond acting, Patricia Heaton has also served as a producer on various projects, including the 2006 film “Amazing Grace” and the 2005 documentary “The Bituminous Coal Queens of Pennsylvania,” which was directed by her husband, David Hunt.
Patricia Heaton, now 65, is a devout Catholic who has been married to British actor David Hunt since 1990, with whom she shares four sons. She has been open about her experiences with plastic surgery, admitting to a breast reduction and a tummy tuck after undergoing four Caesarean sections. Her book, “Your Second Act: Inspiring Stories of Reinvention,” was released in 2020. Her journey from Broadway debut in 1987 to her current status as an Emmy-winning actress and author highlights a remarkable and inspiring career.
3. **Brad Garrett (Robert Barone)**Before he was dazzling audiences with his terrific turn as Robert Barone, Ray’s lovable, insecure, and neurotic older brother, Brad Garrett already had an impressive career. He was a prominent voice actor, lending his distinctive baritone vocals to iconic cartoons like “The Transformers,” “The Real Ghostbusters,” and “Batman: The Animated Series.” He also voiced characters in films such as “Casper” (as Fatso) and “Spy Hard.” Garrett even popped up in occasional sitcoms like “Roseanne,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” and “Seinfeld,” and was the first person to win $100,000 on “Star Search,” which led to an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and opening for big names like Liza Minnelli and Frank Sinatra. However, it was “Everybody Loves Raymond” where he truly hit pay dirt.
Garrett’s portrayal of Robert, a New York City cop known for his “woe is me” attitude and hilarious comebacks, earned him three Emmy wins and made him a fan favorite. After the show ended, Garrett continued his prolific voice acting career with high-profile gigs in Pixar’s “A Bug’s Life” and “Finding Nemo,” as well as voicing Krang in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows.” In fact, a majority of his work post-“Everybody Loves Raymond” has been animated, including Eeyore in “Christopher Robin.” But he also found time for numerous live-action roles in TV shows like “’Til Death,” “Fargo” (in 2015), “Penny Dreadful: City of Angels,” “Single Parents,” and “Not Dead Yet.” He’s also known for his stand-up comedy act.
Beyond his acting, Garrett also founded Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, providing a platform for rising comedians. When asked about a revival of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” Garrett echoed Ray Romano’s sentiment, stating, “You know. There’s no show without the parents. That’s really the bottom line.” Garrett, now 63, has been open about overcoming personal challenges, having won a battle against alcoholism. In a recent social media post, he shared, “I’m so grateful for my sobriety. If you’re seeing this and it rings familiar, just know you can do it too.” He was married to Jill Diven from 1999 to 2007, with whom he shares two children, and wed actress IsaBeall Quella in November 2021.
4. **Doris Roberts (Marie Barone)**Doris Roberts truly stole the show as Marie Barone, Ray’s overbearing and opinionated mother, and she took home multiple Emmy awards for her unforgettable performance. While “Everybody Loves Raymond” undoubtedly cemented her place in pop culture history, acting was far from new territory for this acclaimed actress. Roberts had been appearing on TV and in films since the early 1950s, starring in everything from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” to “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.” Her credits include “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and popular sitcoms like “Full House” and “Step by Step.” So, for Roberts, “Raymond” was more like a brilliant chapter in an already legendary career.
Following the final episode of “Raymond,” Roberts continued her tireless work, moving from project to project with characteristic energy. She lent her distinctive voice to animated productions such as “Me, Eloise” and later “Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension.” She also made memorable guest appearances on popular shows like “Desperate Housewives,” “Major Crimes,” and even reunited with her TV daughter-in-law Patricia Heaton for a few episodes of “The Middle.” She brought laughs in the 2006 comedy film “Grandma’s Boy.” In a 2015 interview with Smashing Interviews Magazine, she reflected on the show’s lasting appeal: “I think it’s still popular because it’s based on reality. The relationships are based on reality.”
She continued, praising her co-stars: “There were wonderful writers on the show and wonderful actors. I loved working with Peter Boyle. It was a joy to work with him. He died, you know. But we had a good time working together.” She also had high praise for Ray Romano: “Ray Romano is a great guy. He’s real and he’s honest. He has great integrity. He works real hard.” Sadly, Doris Roberts passed away on April 17, 2016, at the age of 90, leaving behind an incredible career filled with iconic and memorable performances. She was married twice and had one son, Michael Cannata Jr.
5. **Peter Boyle (Frank Barone)**Much like his co-star Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle was an already established and celebrated actor long before he took on the role of the cantankerous Frank Barone on “Everybody Loves Raymond.” With over 90 credits to his name, including film classics such as “Young Frankenstein” (which also made a list of 113 best comedy movies ever), “Taxi Driver,” “Red Heat,” “Honeymoon in Vegas,” “Malcolm X,” and “While You Were Sleeping,” Boyle brought a sturdy veteran presence to “Raymond.” His impeccable comic timing was the icing on the cake, ensuring Frank was a consistently hilarious, albeit often grumpy, part of the Barone household.
Frank Barone was rarely the main focus of an episode, but his genius lay in delivering hilarious one-liners or sharp observations, often at Marie’s expense. Off-screen, Boyle was nothing like his coarse character; Ray Romano himself noted, “He made me feel welcome. He made me feel part of the club.” Throughout the series’ run, Boyle continued to act in films, landing gigs in “Species II,” “Monster’s Ball,” and “The Santa Clause” and its sequels, further showcasing his range beyond sitcom comedy.
Following the conclusion of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” Boyle appeared in just three more projects: “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause” (2006), the short film “The Shallow End of the Ocean” (2007), and “All Roads Lead Home” (2008). In an interview published in Esquire in 2007, Boyle reflected on his time on the show: “I knew when we were making the Everybody Loves Raymond pilot that it was really good. That almost seven years later I would be sitting here — I didn’t know that. It’s a really good show, and I really feel good about it. It makes me happy. It makes me less neurotic. It helps me. When I was a starving actor, life had no structure except suffer, suffer, suffer.” Sadly, the talented actor passed away in 2006 at age 71, shortly after the sitcom wrapped, due to multiple myeloma and heart disease.
6. **Madylin, Sullivan, and Sawyer Sweeten (Ally, Michael, and Geoffrey Barone)**While Ray Barone often mentioned in the show’s opening that “Everybody Loves Raymond” wasn’t about the kids, the characters of Ally, Michael, and Geoffrey – played by real-life siblings Madylin, Sullivan, and Sawyer Sweeten – popped up quite a bit and even enjoyed a few episodes dedicated to them. Madylin, as Ally, truly made her character memorable, infusing her with the perfect blend of innocence and sass. Just take a look at the show’s numerous outtakes to see her hold her own against her older, veteran co-stars!
“Raymond” served as a fantastic springboard for Madylin’s young career, leading to various TV and film roles. She appeared in “A Dog of Flanders,” lent her voice to “Toy Story 2,” and had a part in “Eagle Eye” (as the girl who cuts the poker game short). After the final episode of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” Madylin continued to work, appearing in several episodes of the sketch comedy series “TMI Hollywood,” numerous short films, the Indie flick “Sam and Me,” and notable TV roles on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Lucifer.”
As for Madylin Sweeten’s brothers, Sullivan and Sawyer, “Everybody Loves Raymond” largely marked both the beginning and end of their acting careers. Cast at the tender age of 16 months as the Barone twins, Michael and Geoffrey, these young actors practically grew up before our eyes on screen. Sullivan did enjoy a few brief gigs on TV’s “Even Stevens” and “Frank McKlusky, C.I.,” but stepped away from the spotlight until appearing in the 2017 short film “Casting.” Sawyer followed a similar path, likewise popping up in “Even Stevens” and “Frank McKlusky, C.I.”
Tragically, Sawyer Sweeten died by suicide in 2015, at the heartbreaking age of just 19 years old, prompting an outpouring of heartfelt condolences from the cast and crew of “Raymond.” His sister, Madylin, shared her grief with People Magazine, saying, “Sawyer was more than just a brother. He was a strong and selfless friend. When confiding in one another, Sawyer always had the kindest words of encouragement. He will live on in my head and those shared moments forever.” If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
7. **Fred Willard (Hank MacDougall)**Get ready for classic comedic genius! Who could forget Hank MacDougall, Amy’s hilarious father, brought to life by Fred Willard? Even in just 13 episodes of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” every appearance was a masterclass in understated comedy. His deft timing and dry delivery ensured each line, glance, and pause was perfectly placed, leaving viewers in stitches. He truly made the mundane hysterically funny.
Willard was a true legend of improv and sketch comedy, a craft he perfected over three decades. You’ll recognize him from iconic cult comedies: “This is Spinal Tap,” “Anchorman,” “Waiting for Guffman,” “Best in Show” (where he based his character on Joe Garagiola Sr.), and “A Mighty Wind.” His career was a treasure trove of side-splitting performances, showcasing his ability to play wonderfully oblivious characters.
Before his passing in 2020 at 86, Willard accumulated an astonishing 318 acting credits. His prolific post-“Raymond” work included lending his voice to Pixar’s “Wall-E,” and delivering memorable live-action roles in TV shows like “Wizards of Waverly Place,” “New Girl,” “Chuck,” “Franklin & Bash,” and “Space Force.” He also appeared in films like “Epic Movie,” “Youth in Revolt,” “Fifty Shades of Black,” and “The Magic of Belle Isle.” Fred Willard was an irreplaceable comedic force; his legacy continues to bring pure joy.
8. **Chris Elliott (Peter MacDougall)**Alright, let’s dive into the zany world of Peter MacDougall, Amy’s brother, flawlessly portrayed by Chris Elliott! Peter was a standout, bringing a unique flavor to the “Raymond” mix. As a comic book nerd with a deep disdain for Robert, he made for awkward, uncomfortable, and side-splitting family encounters. While his off-kilter humor sometimes felt out of sync with the show’s grounded family dynamics, Elliott’s distinct comedic style was undeniably memorable.
Elliott brought that same cooky, off-kilter energy to Peter that fans adored from his earlier, iconic work in films like “Cabin Boy” and “There’s Something About Mary.” Before he joined the MacDougall clan, Chris meticulously built a formidable career. He got his big break as a production assistant on “Late Night with David Letterman.” He also landed pivotal parts in major films such as “The Abyss,” “Groundhog Day,” and “Kingpin,” showcasing his unparalleled ability to infuse supporting roles with his signature humor.
“Everybody Loves Raymond” may have been a brief chapter, but Elliott continued to find incredible success, solidifying his status as a comedic titan. Most notably, he knocked it out of the park as the perpetually gloomy, hilariously deadpan Roland Schitt in the beloved comedy “Schitt’s Creek.” Starring opposite Eugene and Dan Levy, his unforgettable performance earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award for outstanding ensemble! “Schitt’s Creek” became an enormous global phenomenon, and Elliott’s charming work was a huge part of its success. He truly carved out a distinct and lasting niche in comedy!
9. **Andy Kindler (Andy)**Remember Ray’s quirky and amusing buddy, Andy? Comedian Andy Kindler injected his unique brand of humor into “Everybody Loves Raymond,” co-starring in 27 episodes during the show’s early years. He was an integral part of those “side characters” who appeared prominently alongside the main Barone cast before the series tightened its narrative focus “exclusively on the main characters” and their family-based comedy. It was a strategic shift, but for a while, Andy definitely added to the show’s rich tapestry.
While Andy’s character may not have found a permanent spot within the Barone family’s living room, Kindler himself didn’t slow down after his stint on “Raymond.” This guy is a comedic force! He enjoyed a fantastic 16-episode run on “Raising Dad,” bringing his signature sharp wit and observational humor to another family sitcom. Plus, he delighted a new generation of fans with a recurring role as Chancellor Tootietootie on “Wizards of Waverly Place”!
Beyond his live-action roles, Andy’s distinctively recognizable voice has become a cherished staple in animation. He’s lent his talents to the popular and long-running animated comedy series “Bob’s Burgers” and even made an appearance in “Bob’s Burgers Movie,” making him instantly identifiable and beloved by legions of new fans. And if you’re ever in need of a good laugh, he’s still a highly successful stand-up comedian. He famously delivered the first live comedy set by hologram, alongside the legendary Bob Odenkirk. How groundbreaking and incredibly cool is that?! Andy Kindler is truly a comedic innovator who consistently makes us smile!
As we wrap up our heartwarming journey through the lives of the incredible “Everybody Loves Raymond” cast, it’s crystal clear the show’s magic stretched far beyond the Barone family’s bustling living room. Every actor, whether central or recurring, brought something irreplaceable to our screens. They crafted a world that felt both utterly familiar and hilariously unique, echoing the delightful chaos of our own families. From Emmy-winning triumphs to personal struggles and exciting new ventures, their paths since the show’s finale have been as varied, compelling, and fascinating as the iconic characters they portrayed. Their lasting impact on entertainment and our hearts proves that while “Everybody Loves Raymond” concluded, our deep affection and admiration for this extraordinary ensemble certainly hasn’t. So, let’s all raise a glass to these legends who taught us there will always be something wonderfully ridiculous to laugh about!
