If you grew up in the early 2000s, chances are you spent many evenings with Ray Barone (Ray Romano) and his eccentric family in the hit comedy series "Everybody Loves Raymond." For good reason. This critically acclaimed sitcom about Ray, a Newsday sportswriter, dealing with his put-upon wife Debra (Patricia Heaton), bickering parents (Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts), and neurotic brother Robert (Brad Garrett), perfectly captures the working-class family and all its quirks, resulting in a heartfelt, often hilarious look at everyday life.
Running from 1997 to 2005, "Raymond" won 15 Primetime Emmys, garnered critical acclaim, and averaged over 20 million viewers during its peak. More impressively, the cast became household names, forever tied to their characters. Still, while many cast members achieved even greater success following the show's finale, others faded into obscurity or endured heartbreaking tragedy. Interested to learn more? Then, keep reading to see what happened to the cast of "Everybody Loves Raymond.
Running from 1997 to 2005, "Raymond" won 15 Primetime Emmys, garnered critical acclaim, and averaged over 20 million viewers during its peak. More impressively, the cast became household names, forever tied to their characters. Still, while many cast members achieved even greater success following the show's finale, others faded into obscurity or endured heartbreaking tragedy. Interested to learn more? Then, keep reading to see what happened to the cast of "Everybody Loves Raymond.
- 3/2/2025
- by Jeff Ames
- Slash Film
It’s hard to believe that it’s been over 25 years since Everybody Loves Raymond was first released!
The hit CBS sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
The hit CBS sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
- 2/5/2025
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
These legends of laughter continued to light up the entertainment world, each carving out a legacy that rivals their time on the show.MEGAPeter Boyle Mega
Before Everybody Loves Raymond, Peter Boyle appeared in Joe (1970), The Candidate (1972), Young Frankenstein (1974) and Taxi Driver (1976), as well as on and off-Broadway. Fans adored him in the role of Ray and Robbie's deadpan, slightly cranky dad, Frank.
However, off-screen, he was nothing like his coarse character. Instead, he was a friendly, warmhearted guy.
"He made me feel welcome," said Ray Romano. "He made me feel part of the club."
Shortly after the sitcom wrapped, Boyle died of multiple myeloma and heart disease in 2006 at age 71.
Doris Roberts Mega
As the overbearing Marie, the Barone family matriarch, Doris Roberts doted on her sons while berating her two daughters-in-law and bickering with her husband.
Roberts earned four Emmys for her work on the series and, like Boyle,...
Before Everybody Loves Raymond, Peter Boyle appeared in Joe (1970), The Candidate (1972), Young Frankenstein (1974) and Taxi Driver (1976), as well as on and off-Broadway. Fans adored him in the role of Ray and Robbie's deadpan, slightly cranky dad, Frank.
However, off-screen, he was nothing like his coarse character. Instead, he was a friendly, warmhearted guy.
"He made me feel welcome," said Ray Romano. "He made me feel part of the club."
Shortly after the sitcom wrapped, Boyle died of multiple myeloma and heart disease in 2006 at age 71.
Doris Roberts Mega
As the overbearing Marie, the Barone family matriarch, Doris Roberts doted on her sons while berating her two daughters-in-law and bickering with her husband.
Roberts earned four Emmys for her work on the series and, like Boyle,...
- 12/13/2024
- by OK! Staff
- OK! Magazine
It’s hard to believe that it’s been over 25 years since Everybody Loves Raymond was first released!
The hit CBS sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
The hit CBS sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
- 11/2/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
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Frasier is one of the best classic multi-cam sitcoms with one of the best cast of characters. Based on the character from the hit series Cheers, Frasier follows Dr. Frasier Crane as he moves to Seattle to reset his life after finalizing his divorce. Dr. Crane thinks that he is getting a new life but his plans are interrupted when his father moves in with him. The comedy of the series came from the highly dysfunctional relationship between Frasier and his father Niles Crane. Frasier provided laughter to its audience for 11 eleven brilliant seasons and ended its run in 2004. Eighteen years later we go a great revival and new life for Frasier Crane on Paramount+ with him living with his son. So, if you loved the cringe comedy and compelling characters in the original and the new revival...
Frasier is one of the best classic multi-cam sitcoms with one of the best cast of characters. Based on the character from the hit series Cheers, Frasier follows Dr. Frasier Crane as he moves to Seattle to reset his life after finalizing his divorce. Dr. Crane thinks that he is getting a new life but his plans are interrupted when his father moves in with him. The comedy of the series came from the highly dysfunctional relationship between Frasier and his father Niles Crane. Frasier provided laughter to its audience for 11 eleven brilliant seasons and ended its run in 2004. Eighteen years later we go a great revival and new life for Frasier Crane on Paramount+ with him living with his son. So, if you loved the cringe comedy and compelling characters in the original and the new revival...
- 9/18/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Wealthiest 'Everybody Loves Raymond' Stars Revealed (& the Richest Has a Net Worth of $200 Million!)
It’s hard to believe that it’s been over 25 years since Everybody Loves Raymond was first released!
The hit CBS sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
The hit CBS sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
- 8/16/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Who doesn’t love a good comedy to take a break from their daily lives and Paramount+ has the perfect dose of classic and new comedy shows for you. While Paramount+ is one of the least popular streaming services, it does have some of the most popular comedy shows of our times including classics like Everybody Loves Raymond, Cheers, and Frasier. So, what are you waiting for get a subscription and choose between any one of these 13 comedy shows we have listed below because none of them will disappoint you.
Corporate Credit – Comedy Central
Corporate is a dark comedy series created by Pat Bishop, Matt Ingebretson, and Jake Weisman. The Comedy Central series revolves around two corporate employees, Matt Engelbertson and Jake Weisman, working at a fictional multinational corporation, Hampton DeVille. Both Matt and Jake hate their jobs and lives but cannot do anything about it because of the paycheck they depend on.
Corporate Credit – Comedy Central
Corporate is a dark comedy series created by Pat Bishop, Matt Ingebretson, and Jake Weisman. The Comedy Central series revolves around two corporate employees, Matt Engelbertson and Jake Weisman, working at a fictional multinational corporation, Hampton DeVille. Both Matt and Jake hate their jobs and lives but cannot do anything about it because of the paycheck they depend on.
- 7/28/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Comedian Ray Romano found big success as the star of the hit sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, though he suggests that it's actually the love for his co-stars that drew people to the series. In particular, Peter Boyle was one co-star that Romano has credited as one of the reasons the sitcom worked so well.
Per Remind, Romano said Boyle portraying his father, Frank Barone, was "one of the main reasons it worked." He also admitted to feeling apprehensive about how well Boyle would do in the role at first, ultimately casting Boyle based on his past accomplishments as an actor. After giving praise to Boyle for how well he did with Frank, Romano also gave credit to some of the other cast members, noting how Brad Garrett played a big part in shaping out the Robert Barone character as well.
Related 'I Was Mad at Tim': Home Improvement Star Reveals...
Per Remind, Romano said Boyle portraying his father, Frank Barone, was "one of the main reasons it worked." He also admitted to feeling apprehensive about how well Boyle would do in the role at first, ultimately casting Boyle based on his past accomplishments as an actor. After giving praise to Boyle for how well he did with Frank, Romano also gave credit to some of the other cast members, noting how Brad Garrett played a big part in shaping out the Robert Barone character as well.
Related 'I Was Mad at Tim': Home Improvement Star Reveals...
- 5/26/2024
- by Jeremy Dick
- Comic Book Resources
It’s been over 25 years since Everybody Loves Raymond first debuted on CBS!
The sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
The sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
- 4/27/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
It’s been over 25 years since Everybody Loves Raymond first debuted on CBS!
The sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
The sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
- 4/13/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
It’s been almost 30 years since Everybody Loves Raymond first debuted on CBS!
The sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
The sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
- 3/30/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
It’s been almost 30 years since Everybody Loves Raymond first debuted on CBS!
The sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
The sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
- 3/9/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
It’s been almost 30 years since Everybody Loves Raymond first debuted on CBS!
The sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
The sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
- 3/2/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
It’s been almost 30 years since Everybody Loves Raymond first debuted on CBS!
The sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
The sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
- 12/29/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Many classic sitcoms have gotten reboots and revivals, and Ray Romano has revealed if there's any chance of that happening with Everybody Loves Raymond.
On Friday, Romano appeared on Bill Maher's HBO series Real Time, and he was asked about the possibility of bringing back the Emmy-winning sitcom. The actor, who recently starred in the Max sci-fi dramedy series Made for Love, suggested that an Everybody Loves Raymond revival is "out of the question." This is largely due to beloved stars from the original series having since passed away, while Romano also shared his belief that reboots are just "never as good" in comparison.
Related 10 Funniest 90s Sitcoms, Ranked Sitcoms are considered one of the funniest forms of media ever. But from Friends to Frasier, there are many that are considered the funniest. Close
"As far as a reboot, well, it’s now out of the question because unfortunately...
On Friday, Romano appeared on Bill Maher's HBO series Real Time, and he was asked about the possibility of bringing back the Emmy-winning sitcom. The actor, who recently starred in the Max sci-fi dramedy series Made for Love, suggested that an Everybody Loves Raymond revival is "out of the question." This is largely due to beloved stars from the original series having since passed away, while Romano also shared his belief that reboots are just "never as good" in comparison.
Related 10 Funniest 90s Sitcoms, Ranked Sitcoms are considered one of the funniest forms of media ever. But from Friends to Frasier, there are many that are considered the funniest. Close
"As far as a reboot, well, it’s now out of the question because unfortunately...
- 12/16/2023
- by Jeremy Dick
- Comic Book Resources
It’s been almost 30 years since Everybody Loves Raymond first debuted on CBS!
The sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
The sitcom – starring Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Monica Horan, and Madylin Sweeten – premiered back on September 3, 1996.
Throughout the course of the show, Everybody Loves Raymond won countless awards, including 15 Emmy Awards.
After nine seasons, show came to an end on May 16, 2005.
The cast of the hit show has gone on to achieve incredible things in their own careers, and have amassed an impressive amount of money.
We’ve gathered all of the main cast members of Everybody Loves Raymond, and ranked them from lowest to highest estimated net worth.
If you didn’t know, Everybody Loves Raymond is available for streaming on Peacock and Paramount+!
Click through the slideshow to find out who the richest Everybody Loves Raymond cast member is…...
- 11/18/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Could Everybody Loves Raymond be coming back? Recently, creator Phil Rosenthal spoke with CinemaBlend about the possibility of a reboot for the CBS TV show.A family sitcom, Everybody Loves Raymond starred Ray Romano, Doris Roberts, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Peter Boyle, Madylin Sweeten, Sawyer Sweeten, Sullivan Sweeten, Monica Horan, Jon Manfrellotti, and Andy Kindler. The series ran on for nine seasons before ending in 2005.Read More…...
- 6/20/2018
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Could Everybody Loves Raymond be making a comeback? Recently, star Brad Garrett spoke with TVGuide about the possibility of bringing back the hit CBS TV show.Created by Philip Rosenthal, the comedy centered on Raymond Barone (Ray Romano), a sportswriter who lives across the street from his pestering parents and older brother (Garrett). The cast also included Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Patricia Heaton, and Madylin Sweeten. The show ran for nine seasons between 1996 and 2005.Read More…...
- 10/19/2017
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
"Everybody Loves Raymond" star Madylin Sweeten dragged a soap opera creator's name through the mud ... according to him, and now he wants her to cough up $1.5 million. In the suit, Bryan James says Sweeten smeared his name and business when she sued him ... claiming he duped her into investing in "Youthful Daze" ... an Internet soap. James is asking the court to dismiss Madylin's lawsuit, and he wants the $1.5 mil for damages to his business and reputation.
- 5/29/2016
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Famous friends and on-screen family are remembering Doris Roberts.
Roberts died peacefully in her sleep of natural causes, People can confirm. She is survived by her son, Michael Cannata, daughter-in-law, Jane and three grandchildren. She was 90.
Roberts' Everybody Loves Raymond costar Ray Romano, who played her TV son for nine seasons, expressed his condolences telling People, "Doris Roberts had an energy and a spirit that amazed me. She never stopped. Whether working professionally or with her many charities, or just nurturing and mentoring a young, green comic trying to make it as an actor, she did it all with such...
Roberts died peacefully in her sleep of natural causes, People can confirm. She is survived by her son, Michael Cannata, daughter-in-law, Jane and three grandchildren. She was 90.
Roberts' Everybody Loves Raymond costar Ray Romano, who played her TV son for nine seasons, expressed his condolences telling People, "Doris Roberts had an energy and a spirit that amazed me. She never stopped. Whether working professionally or with her many charities, or just nurturing and mentoring a young, green comic trying to make it as an actor, she did it all with such...
- 4/19/2016
- by Karen Mizoguchi
- People.com - TV Watch
Famous friends and on-screen family are remembering Doris Roberts. Roberts died peacefully in her sleep of natural causes, People can confirm. She is survived by her son, Michael Cannata, daughter-in-law, Jane and three grandchildren. She was 90. Roberts' Everybody Loves Raymond costar Ray Romano, who played her TV son for nine seasons, expressed his condolences telling People, "Doris Roberts had an energy and a spirit that amazed me. She never stopped. Whether working professionally or with her many charities, or just nurturing and mentoring a young, green comic trying to make it as an actor, she did it all with such...
- 4/19/2016
- by Karen Mizoguchi
- PEOPLE.com
Five-time Emmy winner Doris Roberts passed away on Sunday at the age 90, according to TMZ. As we all mourn this Hollywood legend, let's rewatch her 2001 Emmy victory for "Everybody Loves Raymond" above in which she took down Jennifer Aniston ("Friends"), Kim Cattrall ("Sex and the City"), Lisa Kudrow ("Friends") and Megan Mullally ("Will & Grace") as Best Comedy Supporting Actress. -Break- Subscribe to Gold Derby Breaking News Alerts & Experts’ Latest Emmy Predictions This 11-time Emmy nominee took home four trophies (2001-03, 2005) for playing the feisty matriarch Marie Barone on the long-running CBS comedy. However, she first became an Emmy winner in 1983 thanks to her guest turn on the hospital drama "St. Elsewhere." Roberts also won a SAG Award as part of the "Raymond" ensemble in 2003, along with cast members Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Madylin Sweeten and...'...
- 4/18/2016
- Gold Derby
Not all soap operas confine their drama to the small screen. “Everybody Loves Raymond” star Madylin Sweeten has filed a lawsuit against Bryan James, the creator of Internet soap opera “Youthful Daze,” claiming that he duped her into investing tens of thousands of dollars in the show with promises that he never intended to keep. In the suit, Sweeten — who played daughter Ally on the CBS sitcom — claims that James approached her in August to act in the next season of the series and, shortly after, asked her to invest in it. Also Read: 'Everybody Loves Raymond' Stars Pay Tribute.
- 12/2/2015
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
"Everybody Loves Raymond" star Madylin Sweeten claims she was the victim of a classic Hollywood bait and switch, and she's suing to get her money back. According to a new lawsuit, Sweeten says Bryan James -- star and creator of an Internet soap called "Youthful Daze" -- approached her to appear in the new season, but also invest some cash into it as well. Sweeten -- who played daughter Ally on 'Raymond' -- says she...
- 12/2/2015
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
The stars of "Everybody Loves Raymond" are mourning the loss of Sawyer Sweeten after his suicide on Thursday. He was 19.
Sawyer Sweeten, Madylin Sweeten and Sullivan Sweeten on April 17, 2010 in Culver City (Getty)
"Sawyer was a funny and exceptionally bright young man. He is gone from us far too soon. The loss the Sweeten family is experiencing is unimaginable. Tonight hug your children a little tighter and please keep Sawyer and his family in your thoughts and prayers," Patricia Heaton, who played Sweeten's TV mom, said in a statement released to Access.
Sawyer Sweeten ...
Copyright 2015 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Sawyer Sweeten, Madylin Sweeten and Sullivan Sweeten on April 17, 2010 in Culver City (Getty)
"Sawyer was a funny and exceptionally bright young man. He is gone from us far too soon. The loss the Sweeten family is experiencing is unimaginable. Tonight hug your children a little tighter and please keep Sawyer and his family in your thoughts and prayers," Patricia Heaton, who played Sweeten's TV mom, said in a statement released to Access.
Sawyer Sweeten ...
Copyright 2015 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
- 4/24/2015
- by access.hollywood@nbcuni.com (Access Hollywood)
- Access Hollywood
He played the adorable Geoffrey Barone on “Everybody Loves Raymond” and sadly Sawyer Sweeten took his own life on Thursday (April 23).
The 19-year-old actor, best known for his role as one of Ray Romano’s twins, was at his home in Texas when he walked outside, put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger.
Sawyer’s sister/co-star Madylin Sweeten told Gossip Cop, “This morning a terrible family tragedy has occurred. We are devastated to report that our beloved brother, son, and friend, Sawyer Sweeten, took his own life. He was weeks away from his 20th birthday. At this sensitive time, our family requests privacy and we beg of you to reach out to the ones you love.” Ray Romano added, “I’m shocked, and terribly saddened, by the news about Sawyer. He was a wonderful and sweet kid to be around. Just a great energy whenever he was there.
The 19-year-old actor, best known for his role as one of Ray Romano’s twins, was at his home in Texas when he walked outside, put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger.
Sawyer’s sister/co-star Madylin Sweeten told Gossip Cop, “This morning a terrible family tragedy has occurred. We are devastated to report that our beloved brother, son, and friend, Sawyer Sweeten, took his own life. He was weeks away from his 20th birthday. At this sensitive time, our family requests privacy and we beg of you to reach out to the ones you love.” Ray Romano added, “I’m shocked, and terribly saddened, by the news about Sawyer. He was a wonderful and sweet kid to be around. Just a great energy whenever he was there.
- 4/24/2015
- GossipCenter
Sawyer Sweeten -- one of the twins from "Everybody Loves Raymond" -- committed suicide Thursday morning, according to his sister. 19-year-old Sawyer reportedly shot himself while visiting family members in Texas. His older sister Madylin Sweeten -- who was also on 'Raymond' -- confirmed the death to TMZ, saying ... "This morning a terrible family tragedy occurred. We are devastated to report that our beloved brother, son, and friend took his own life." Sawyer played Geoffrey...
- 4/24/2015
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
New York (AP) - Sawyer Sweeten (L), who played one of Ray Romano's twin sons in the CBS comedy "Everybody Loves Raymond," has died. He was 19.
Sweeten committed suicide, his sister Madylin Sweeten, said in a statement. There were no other details. Madylin, and Sawyer's twin brother Sullivan, all played the children in the sitcom's fictional Barone family.
The hit comedy aired for nine seasons before ending in 2005. Sawyer Sweeten was a toddler when the series began.
In a statement Madylin, who is four years older than Sawyer, said the family was requesting privacy.
"We beg of you to reach out to the ones that you love," she said. "Let them have no doubt of what they mean to you."
The comedy tended to focus on the fractured family dynamics of the sportswriter character Romano played, his parents and younger brother. The children were rarely more than an afterthought in the plots.
Sweeten committed suicide, his sister Madylin Sweeten, said in a statement. There were no other details. Madylin, and Sawyer's twin brother Sullivan, all played the children in the sitcom's fictional Barone family.
The hit comedy aired for nine seasons before ending in 2005. Sawyer Sweeten was a toddler when the series began.
In a statement Madylin, who is four years older than Sawyer, said the family was requesting privacy.
"We beg of you to reach out to the ones that you love," she said. "Let them have no doubt of what they mean to you."
The comedy tended to focus on the fractured family dynamics of the sportswriter character Romano played, his parents and younger brother. The children were rarely more than an afterthought in the plots.
- 4/24/2015
- by The Associated Press
- Moviefone
Sawyer Sweeten, who played Geoffrey Barone, one of the twin sons on “Everybody Loves Raymond,” is dead after committing suicide, his family confirmed to TheWrap. He was 19. Sweeten was visiting relatives in Texas when he shot himself in the head on Thursday. Sweeten (pictured above left with his siblings) starred on the CBS series with his brother, Sullivan, who played Michael Barone, and sister, Madylin Sweeten, who played older sister Ally. Also Read: Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2015 (Photos) In a statement, Madylin said the family is devastated. “This morning a terrible family tragedy has occurred. We are devastated to report that.
- 4/24/2015
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Sawyer Sweeten, the actor who played Ray Romano's son on Everybody Loves Raymond has reportedly killed himself at the age of 19.
Sawyer died of a possible suicide, his manager confirmed to Variety on Thursday.
Sweeten and his twin brother, Sullivan, played Geoffrey and Michael Barone, on the hit sitcom, which ran from 1996 to 2005. Their sister, Madylin, also appeared on the show, playing their sibling Ally Barone on the series.
Madylin Sweeten wrote on Facebook on Thursday afternoon, "At this time I would like to encourage everyone to reach out to the ones you love. Let them have no doubt...
Sawyer died of a possible suicide, his manager confirmed to Variety on Thursday.
Sweeten and his twin brother, Sullivan, played Geoffrey and Michael Barone, on the hit sitcom, which ran from 1996 to 2005. Their sister, Madylin, also appeared on the show, playing their sibling Ally Barone on the series.
Madylin Sweeten wrote on Facebook on Thursday afternoon, "At this time I would like to encourage everyone to reach out to the ones you love. Let them have no doubt...
- 4/24/2015
- by Michael Miller, @write_miller
- People.com - TV Watch
Our hearts go out to the family of Sawyer Sweeten. Sweeten, the actor who played little Geoffrey Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond, has died in an apparent suicide. He was 19. A rep for Sweeten confirmed his passing to E! News. He is said to have shot himself while visiting family in Texas. His twin brother, Sullivan, also played his twin, Michael Barone, on the show and their TV sister Ally was played by real-life sibling Madylin Sweeten. Ray Romano and Patricia Heaton played their parents on the Emmy-winning sitcom. The now 23-year-old Madylin wrote on Facebook today, "At this time I would like to encourage everyone to reach out to the ones you love. Let them have no doubt of what they...
- 4/24/2015
- E! Online
TV Land has announced that the cast of Bosom Buddies will be reuniting for the first time on the upcoming TV Land Awards.
Scheduled to appear are Tom Hanks, Peter Scolari, Donna Dixon, Telma Hopkins, and Holland Taylor. This will be the first time that the actors have reunited publicly since Bosom Buddies left ABC in 1982. The show's other key castmember, Wendy Jo Sperber, passed away in 2005 following a battle with breast cancer.
Other events scheduled for the event include a reunion of the surviving cast of Everybody Loves Raymond (Ray Romano, Brad Garrett, Patricia Heaton, Doris Roberts, Madylin Sweeten, Sawyer Sweeten, and Sullivan Sweeten) and a tribute to Charlie's Angels with Cheryl Ladd and Jaclyn Smith.
The cast of Glee -- including Jane Lynch, Dianna Agron, Jayma Mays, Jessalyn Gilsig and Kevin McHale -- are scheduled...
Scheduled to appear are Tom Hanks, Peter Scolari, Donna Dixon, Telma Hopkins, and Holland Taylor. This will be the first time that the actors have reunited publicly since Bosom Buddies left ABC in 1982. The show's other key castmember, Wendy Jo Sperber, passed away in 2005 following a battle with breast cancer.
Other events scheduled for the event include a reunion of the surviving cast of Everybody Loves Raymond (Ray Romano, Brad Garrett, Patricia Heaton, Doris Roberts, Madylin Sweeten, Sawyer Sweeten, and Sullivan Sweeten) and a tribute to Charlie's Angels with Cheryl Ladd and Jaclyn Smith.
The cast of Glee -- including Jane Lynch, Dianna Agron, Jayma Mays, Jessalyn Gilsig and Kevin McHale -- are scheduled...
- 4/5/2010
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Tim Allen will host the 2010 TV Land Awards on April 17 according to published reports. In this 8th installment of the awards ceremony, legendary comedians Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner; the cast of "Everybody Loves Raymond" including Ray Romano, Brad Garrett, Patricia Heaton, Doris Roberts, Madylin Sweeten, Sawyer Sweeten and Sullivan Sweeten; "Charlie's Angels" stars Cheryl Ladd, Jaclyn Smith and Glee cast members Jane Lynch, Dianna Agron, Jayma Mays, Jessalyn Gilsig and Kevin McHale are among the honorees, with more talent to be announced soon. The gala is scheduled to be taped on Saturday, April 17 on the historic Stage 15 on the Sony Lot in Culver City. The show premieres on Sunday, April 25 at 9:00 p.m. Et/Pt.
- 3/31/2010
- BroadwayWorld.com
TV Land announced today that legendary comedians Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner; the cast of "Everybody Loves Raymond" including Ray Romano, Brad Garrett, Patricia Heaton, Doris Roberts, Madylin Sweeten, Sawyer Sweeten and Sullivan Sweeten; "Charlie's Angels" stars Cheryl Ladd, Jaclyn Smith and "Glee" cast members Jane Lynch, Dianna Agron, Jayma Mays, Jessalyn Gilsig and Kevin McHale are among the honorees at this year's "8th Annual TV Land Awards" with more talent to be announced soon. The gala is scheduled to be taped on Saturday, April 17 on the historic Stage 15 on the Sony Lot in Culver City. The show premieres on Sunday, April 25 at 9:00 p.m. Et/Pt.
- 3/16/2010
- BroadwayWorld.com
"Eagle Eye" - Blu-ray Reviewby Peter Dimako, Editor War Games this is not. So drop that distant comparison. Riveting actioner shines on Blu-ray and keeps one glued with high-stakes chases throughout. With trailers thankfully not overexposing the film, “Eagle Eye” shines with top-notch performances and adrenalin-fueled drama which is guaranteed to satisfy. Re-teaming with his “Disturbia” helmer D.J. Caruso, Labeouf stamps his name into a limited field of actors who can manage any form of genre. Executive produced by Stephen Spielberg, “Eagle Eye” also serves as strong vehicle for Labeouf’s dramatical talents. The actor stars as Jerry Damon Shaw, a black sheep of the family who leads a deadbeat life that’s about to take a drastic turn.Tragically, Jerry is called to the funeral of his twin brother, a military man. The bond between them is deeply apparent and well brought out by Labeouf as tears roll down...
- 1/2/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Ok fans, check out NEW clips and 5 new exclusive photos just in from Paramount Pictures for "Eagle Eye" starring Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Billy Bob Thornton, Rosario Dawson, Ethan Embry, Anthony Mackie, William Sadler, Michael Chiklis, Lynn Cohen, Anthony Azizi, Madylin Sweeten. In theatres today! Don't miss out on this high-octane thriller directed helmer D.J. Caruso who reteams with LaBouf after the success of "Disturbia." Caruso directs from the screenplay by John Glenn,Travis Adam Wright, Hillary Seitz and Dan McDermott from the story by Dan McDermott.
- 9/26/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
We have great new interview clips for Paramount Pictures' "Eagle Eye" which finds release this Friday, September 26th. D.J. Caruso helms from the writing by John Glenn, Travis Wright, Hillary Seitz and Dan McDermot. "Shield" director Caruso and LaBeouf worked together previously on the successful "Disturbia" of 2007. Caruso also helmed "Taking Lives" starring Angelina Jolie, "Two for the Money" starring Al Pacino and Matthew McConaughey and "The Salton Sea" of 2002. The intense action thriller looks set for a hefty share of the weekend's box office tally. Also included in the talented cast are Ethan Embry, Anthony Mackie, William Sadler, Michael Chiklis, Lynn Cohen, Anthony Azizi and Madylin Sweeten.
- 9/23/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Another film in focus this week is Paramount Pictures' "Eagle Eye" starring Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Billy Bob Thornton, Rosario Dawson, Ethan Embry, Anthony Mackie, William Sadler, Michael Chiklis, Lynn Cohen, Anthony Azizi and Madylin Sweeten. Shia LaBeouf, on a rollercoaster Hollywood career-ride is set to bring in big numbers for Paramount. The film reunited LaBeouf with his "Disturbia" helmer D.J. Caruso. The screenplay is written by John Glenn, Dan McDermott, Hillary Seitz and Travis Wright based on the story by Dan McDermott...
- 9/17/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
American Splendor
This review was written for the festival screening of "American Splendor".
PARK CITY -- Every now and then, ambitious filmmakers try to capture the rhythms and splendor of everyday life, the mundane, nitty-gritty routine people experience almost without noticing. Other filmmakers, equally as ambitious, struggle to portray the blue-collar environment, where daily drudgery consumes much of waking life and dark pessimism creeps into the soul. Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini's "American Splendor", which derives from the autobiographical comic books written by Cleveland's most famous file clerk, Harvey Pekar, absolutely nails those elusive ambitions. It's an extraordinary film.
Taking as its theme the Pekarism that "ordinary life is pretty complex stuff," the two documentarians in their feature debut hit an unbelievably rich vein of drama, humor, love, whimsy, psychological turmoil, commonplace travails, genuine trauma and artistic triumph.
Pekar's core following is small, but this HBO movie's take on the cult of Harvey and his impressive comic book series should help it grow immeasurably. Premiering in competition at Sundance, "American Splendor", a clear audience favorite, richly deserves theatrical exposure as well.
The filmmakers employ a mixed-media approach that turns the movie screen into a comic book panel, bringing us images of the real Harvey Pekar, who narrates the film in his raspy voice, intercut with his fictional self, wife and adopted child played with robust energy by, respectively, Paul Giamatti, Hope Davis and Madylin Sweeten. Archival footage of Harvey's unruly appearances on "Late Night With David Letterman," a stage version of "American Splendor" and animation, which picks up the style and substance of his comics -- all seamlessly integrated -- flesh out the story of one of life's losers who gets his revenge but doesn't seem to enjoy it.
Make no doubt, Harvey is a loser. An obsessive-compulsive personality who clutters his home with thousands of vintage LPs and books, he has settled into a safe but dull existence as a VA hospital file clerk in Cleveland. His co-workers are a collection of misfits, each with his own personality disorder, the funniest being Toby (Judah Friedlander), whose slow speech and simple-minded values strike a resonant cord with the audience. But even Toby fails to dissipate the clouds of doom and gloom that hover over Harvey.
Then comes a chance meeting while rummaging for treasures at a garage sale with Robert Crumb (James Urbaniak), who becomes a buddy. When Crumb gains international recognition for his taboo-smashing underground comics, this energizes Harvey to write his own comics. He can't draw, so he fills panels with stick figures and a no-b.s. account of the trials and tribulations of life. Crumb likes them enough to illustrate them.
After the publication of the first "American Splendor" in 1976, other illustrators take over, causing Harvey's appearance to change frequently. None of this brings fame or fortune. However, it does bring a letter from a Delaware comic book store owner, Joyce Brabner (Davis), who after more correspondence and phone conversations comes to Cleveland. Almost immediately, the two marry, determining that for better or worse -- and it often is worse -- they are soul mates.
Even the "Letterman" appearances don't boost sales as the talk show host makes Harvey the butt of jokes about his ordinariness. Real drama comes when Harvey struggles for a year with cancer, an experience he and Joyce turn into a graphic novel.
Moving back and forth from the neorealistic look of "American Splendor" to the more artificial, quasi-documentary segments, the filmmakers playfully express the comic books' point of view about Harvey's existence and his working-class neighborhood. Believing that life is best observed in the details, the film sharply scrutinizes the little things that reveal whole mind-sets and attitudes. Harvey's pessimism, obsessions and frustrations -- the things that may have made him sick and certainly helped him to nearly lose his voice -- enrich his narrative art.
Giamatti gives a great performance, finding humor and humanity in this sad-sack schlemiel. So too with Davis, who makes Joyce into a shy yet shrewd woman who immediately sees her husband as a lifelong reclamation project.
Harvey may have played the buffoon with Letterman, but the guy is really a grunge intellectual. And the untidy ordinariness of his life is hugely compelling when seen from the right angle.
Helping to create that angle are the earthen palette of Terry Stacey's cinematography, the animation, titles and special effects handled by Gary Leib and John Kuramoto, music that reflects Pekar's affection for jazz and R&B and Pulcini's own smooth editing.
AMERICAN SPLENDOR
HBO Films
A Good Machine production
Credits:
Screenwriters-directors: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Producer: Ted Hope
Director of photography: Terry Stacey
Production designer: Therese DePrez
Music: Mark Suozzo
Costume designer: Michael Wilkinson
Editor: Robert Pulcini
Cast:
Harvey Pekar: Paul Giamatti
Joyce Brabner: Hope Davis
Toby Radloff: Judah Friedlander
Robert Crumb: James Urbaniak
Running time -- 102 minutes
No MPAA rating...
PARK CITY -- Every now and then, ambitious filmmakers try to capture the rhythms and splendor of everyday life, the mundane, nitty-gritty routine people experience almost without noticing. Other filmmakers, equally as ambitious, struggle to portray the blue-collar environment, where daily drudgery consumes much of waking life and dark pessimism creeps into the soul. Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini's "American Splendor", which derives from the autobiographical comic books written by Cleveland's most famous file clerk, Harvey Pekar, absolutely nails those elusive ambitions. It's an extraordinary film.
Taking as its theme the Pekarism that "ordinary life is pretty complex stuff," the two documentarians in their feature debut hit an unbelievably rich vein of drama, humor, love, whimsy, psychological turmoil, commonplace travails, genuine trauma and artistic triumph.
Pekar's core following is small, but this HBO movie's take on the cult of Harvey and his impressive comic book series should help it grow immeasurably. Premiering in competition at Sundance, "American Splendor", a clear audience favorite, richly deserves theatrical exposure as well.
The filmmakers employ a mixed-media approach that turns the movie screen into a comic book panel, bringing us images of the real Harvey Pekar, who narrates the film in his raspy voice, intercut with his fictional self, wife and adopted child played with robust energy by, respectively, Paul Giamatti, Hope Davis and Madylin Sweeten. Archival footage of Harvey's unruly appearances on "Late Night With David Letterman," a stage version of "American Splendor" and animation, which picks up the style and substance of his comics -- all seamlessly integrated -- flesh out the story of one of life's losers who gets his revenge but doesn't seem to enjoy it.
Make no doubt, Harvey is a loser. An obsessive-compulsive personality who clutters his home with thousands of vintage LPs and books, he has settled into a safe but dull existence as a VA hospital file clerk in Cleveland. His co-workers are a collection of misfits, each with his own personality disorder, the funniest being Toby (Judah Friedlander), whose slow speech and simple-minded values strike a resonant cord with the audience. But even Toby fails to dissipate the clouds of doom and gloom that hover over Harvey.
Then comes a chance meeting while rummaging for treasures at a garage sale with Robert Crumb (James Urbaniak), who becomes a buddy. When Crumb gains international recognition for his taboo-smashing underground comics, this energizes Harvey to write his own comics. He can't draw, so he fills panels with stick figures and a no-b.s. account of the trials and tribulations of life. Crumb likes them enough to illustrate them.
After the publication of the first "American Splendor" in 1976, other illustrators take over, causing Harvey's appearance to change frequently. None of this brings fame or fortune. However, it does bring a letter from a Delaware comic book store owner, Joyce Brabner (Davis), who after more correspondence and phone conversations comes to Cleveland. Almost immediately, the two marry, determining that for better or worse -- and it often is worse -- they are soul mates.
Even the "Letterman" appearances don't boost sales as the talk show host makes Harvey the butt of jokes about his ordinariness. Real drama comes when Harvey struggles for a year with cancer, an experience he and Joyce turn into a graphic novel.
Moving back and forth from the neorealistic look of "American Splendor" to the more artificial, quasi-documentary segments, the filmmakers playfully express the comic books' point of view about Harvey's existence and his working-class neighborhood. Believing that life is best observed in the details, the film sharply scrutinizes the little things that reveal whole mind-sets and attitudes. Harvey's pessimism, obsessions and frustrations -- the things that may have made him sick and certainly helped him to nearly lose his voice -- enrich his narrative art.
Giamatti gives a great performance, finding humor and humanity in this sad-sack schlemiel. So too with Davis, who makes Joyce into a shy yet shrewd woman who immediately sees her husband as a lifelong reclamation project.
Harvey may have played the buffoon with Letterman, but the guy is really a grunge intellectual. And the untidy ordinariness of his life is hugely compelling when seen from the right angle.
Helping to create that angle are the earthen palette of Terry Stacey's cinematography, the animation, titles and special effects handled by Gary Leib and John Kuramoto, music that reflects Pekar's affection for jazz and R&B and Pulcini's own smooth editing.
AMERICAN SPLENDOR
HBO Films
A Good Machine production
Credits:
Screenwriters-directors: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Producer: Ted Hope
Director of photography: Terry Stacey
Production designer: Therese DePrez
Music: Mark Suozzo
Costume designer: Michael Wilkinson
Editor: Robert Pulcini
Cast:
Harvey Pekar: Paul Giamatti
Joyce Brabner: Hope Davis
Toby Radloff: Judah Friedlander
Robert Crumb: James Urbaniak
Running time -- 102 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 8/12/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
American Splendor
This review was written for the festival screening of "American Splendor".
PARK CITY -- Every now and then, ambitious filmmakers try to capture the rhythms and splendor of everyday life, the mundane, nitty-gritty routine people experience almost without noticing. Other filmmakers, equally as ambitious, struggle to portray the blue-collar environment, where daily drudgery consumes much of waking life and dark pessimism creeps into the soul. Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini's "American Splendor", which derives from the autobiographical comic books written by Cleveland's most famous file clerk, Harvey Pekar, absolutely nails those elusive ambitions. It's an extraordinary film.
Taking as its theme the Pekarism that "ordinary life is pretty complex stuff," the two documentarians in their feature debut hit an unbelievably rich vein of drama, humor, love, whimsy, psychological turmoil, commonplace travails, genuine trauma and artistic triumph.
Pekar's core following is small, but this HBO movie's take on the cult of Harvey and his impressive comic book series should help it grow immeasurably. Premiering in competition at Sundance, "American Splendor", a clear audience favorite, richly deserves theatrical exposure as well.
The filmmakers employ a mixed-media approach that turns the movie screen into a comic book panel, bringing us images of the real Harvey Pekar, who narrates the film in his raspy voice, intercut with his fictional self, wife and adopted child played with robust energy by, respectively, Paul Giamatti, Hope Davis and Madylin Sweeten. Archival footage of Harvey's unruly appearances on "Late Night With David Letterman," a stage version of "American Splendor" and animation, which picks up the style and substance of his comics -- all seamlessly integrated -- flesh out the story of one of life's losers who gets his revenge but doesn't seem to enjoy it.
Make no doubt, Harvey is a loser. An obsessive-compulsive personality who clutters his home with thousands of vintage LPs and books, he has settled into a safe but dull existence as a VA hospital file clerk in Cleveland. His co-workers are a collection of misfits, each with his own personality disorder, the funniest being Toby (Judah Friedlander), whose slow speech and simple-minded values strike a resonant cord with the audience. But even Toby fails to dissipate the clouds of doom and gloom that hover over Harvey.
Then comes a chance meeting while rummaging for treasures at a garage sale with Robert Crumb (James Urbaniak), who becomes a buddy. When Crumb gains international recognition for his taboo-smashing underground comics, this energizes Harvey to write his own comics. He can't draw, so he fills panels with stick figures and a no-b.s. account of the trials and tribulations of life. Crumb likes them enough to illustrate them.
After the publication of the first "American Splendor" in 1976, other illustrators take over, causing Harvey's appearance to change frequently. None of this brings fame or fortune. However, it does bring a letter from a Delaware comic book store owner, Joyce Brabner (Davis), who after more correspondence and phone conversations comes to Cleveland. Almost immediately, the two marry, determining that for better or worse -- and it often is worse -- they are soul mates.
Even the "Letterman" appearances don't boost sales as the talk show host makes Harvey the butt of jokes about his ordinariness. Real drama comes when Harvey struggles for a year with cancer, an experience he and Joyce turn into a graphic novel.
Moving back and forth from the neorealistic look of "American Splendor" to the more artificial, quasi-documentary segments, the filmmakers playfully express the comic books' point of view about Harvey's existence and his working-class neighborhood. Believing that life is best observed in the details, the film sharply scrutinizes the little things that reveal whole mind-sets and attitudes. Harvey's pessimism, obsessions and frustrations -- the things that may have made him sick and certainly helped him to nearly lose his voice -- enrich his narrative art.
Giamatti gives a great performance, finding humor and humanity in this sad-sack schlemiel. So too with Davis, who makes Joyce into a shy yet shrewd woman who immediately sees her husband as a lifelong reclamation project.
Harvey may have played the buffoon with Letterman, but the guy is really a grunge intellectual. And the untidy ordinariness of his life is hugely compelling when seen from the right angle.
Helping to create that angle are the earthen palette of Terry Stacey's cinematography, the animation, titles and special effects handled by Gary Leib and John Kuramoto, music that reflects Pekar's affection for jazz and R&B and Pulcini's own smooth editing.
AMERICAN SPLENDOR
HBO Films
A Good Machine production
Credits:
Screenwriters-directors: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Producer: Ted Hope
Director of photography: Terry Stacey
Production designer: Therese DePrez
Music: Mark Suozzo
Costume designer: Michael Wilkinson
Editor: Robert Pulcini
Cast:
Harvey Pekar: Paul Giamatti
Joyce Brabner: Hope Davis
Toby Radloff: Judah Friedlander
Robert Crumb: James Urbaniak
Running time -- 102 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
PARK CITY -- Every now and then, ambitious filmmakers try to capture the rhythms and splendor of everyday life, the mundane, nitty-gritty routine people experience almost without noticing. Other filmmakers, equally as ambitious, struggle to portray the blue-collar environment, where daily drudgery consumes much of waking life and dark pessimism creeps into the soul. Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini's "American Splendor", which derives from the autobiographical comic books written by Cleveland's most famous file clerk, Harvey Pekar, absolutely nails those elusive ambitions. It's an extraordinary film.
Taking as its theme the Pekarism that "ordinary life is pretty complex stuff," the two documentarians in their feature debut hit an unbelievably rich vein of drama, humor, love, whimsy, psychological turmoil, commonplace travails, genuine trauma and artistic triumph.
Pekar's core following is small, but this HBO movie's take on the cult of Harvey and his impressive comic book series should help it grow immeasurably. Premiering in competition at Sundance, "American Splendor", a clear audience favorite, richly deserves theatrical exposure as well.
The filmmakers employ a mixed-media approach that turns the movie screen into a comic book panel, bringing us images of the real Harvey Pekar, who narrates the film in his raspy voice, intercut with his fictional self, wife and adopted child played with robust energy by, respectively, Paul Giamatti, Hope Davis and Madylin Sweeten. Archival footage of Harvey's unruly appearances on "Late Night With David Letterman," a stage version of "American Splendor" and animation, which picks up the style and substance of his comics -- all seamlessly integrated -- flesh out the story of one of life's losers who gets his revenge but doesn't seem to enjoy it.
Make no doubt, Harvey is a loser. An obsessive-compulsive personality who clutters his home with thousands of vintage LPs and books, he has settled into a safe but dull existence as a VA hospital file clerk in Cleveland. His co-workers are a collection of misfits, each with his own personality disorder, the funniest being Toby (Judah Friedlander), whose slow speech and simple-minded values strike a resonant cord with the audience. But even Toby fails to dissipate the clouds of doom and gloom that hover over Harvey.
Then comes a chance meeting while rummaging for treasures at a garage sale with Robert Crumb (James Urbaniak), who becomes a buddy. When Crumb gains international recognition for his taboo-smashing underground comics, this energizes Harvey to write his own comics. He can't draw, so he fills panels with stick figures and a no-b.s. account of the trials and tribulations of life. Crumb likes them enough to illustrate them.
After the publication of the first "American Splendor" in 1976, other illustrators take over, causing Harvey's appearance to change frequently. None of this brings fame or fortune. However, it does bring a letter from a Delaware comic book store owner, Joyce Brabner (Davis), who after more correspondence and phone conversations comes to Cleveland. Almost immediately, the two marry, determining that for better or worse -- and it often is worse -- they are soul mates.
Even the "Letterman" appearances don't boost sales as the talk show host makes Harvey the butt of jokes about his ordinariness. Real drama comes when Harvey struggles for a year with cancer, an experience he and Joyce turn into a graphic novel.
Moving back and forth from the neorealistic look of "American Splendor" to the more artificial, quasi-documentary segments, the filmmakers playfully express the comic books' point of view about Harvey's existence and his working-class neighborhood. Believing that life is best observed in the details, the film sharply scrutinizes the little things that reveal whole mind-sets and attitudes. Harvey's pessimism, obsessions and frustrations -- the things that may have made him sick and certainly helped him to nearly lose his voice -- enrich his narrative art.
Giamatti gives a great performance, finding humor and humanity in this sad-sack schlemiel. So too with Davis, who makes Joyce into a shy yet shrewd woman who immediately sees her husband as a lifelong reclamation project.
Harvey may have played the buffoon with Letterman, but the guy is really a grunge intellectual. And the untidy ordinariness of his life is hugely compelling when seen from the right angle.
Helping to create that angle are the earthen palette of Terry Stacey's cinematography, the animation, titles and special effects handled by Gary Leib and John Kuramoto, music that reflects Pekar's affection for jazz and R&B and Pulcini's own smooth editing.
AMERICAN SPLENDOR
HBO Films
A Good Machine production
Credits:
Screenwriters-directors: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Producer: Ted Hope
Director of photography: Terry Stacey
Production designer: Therese DePrez
Music: Mark Suozzo
Costume designer: Michael Wilkinson
Editor: Robert Pulcini
Cast:
Harvey Pekar: Paul Giamatti
Joyce Brabner: Hope Davis
Toby Radloff: Judah Friedlander
Robert Crumb: James Urbaniak
Running time -- 102 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 8/12/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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