Ray Romano reflects on the success of his hit sitcom 'Everybody Loves Raymond', recalling his initial doubts and the significant role Peter Boyle played in its success. The comedian shares anecdotes about Boyle's unique life experiences and their impact on the show's dynamics.
In a recent interview with The Associated Press, beloved comedian Ray Romano opened up about his experiences as the star of the iconic sitcom 'Everybody Loves Raymond'. Despite the show's enduring popularity, Romano admitted to experiencing doubts throughout its run.
"I was filled with doubt all the time. I don't know if I'm acting well, and I know I'm not in the first season," Romano confessed. "I can look back and see I'm stiff."
However, Romano's apprehensions quickly subsided as the show gained traction. He credits much of its success to the brilliance of his co-star, Peter Boyle, who played his cantankerous father, Frank Barone.
"Peter was one of the main reasons it worked," Romano asserted. "He helped me feel accepted and comfortable."
Boyle's unconventional approach to the role, despite having primarily acted in dramas, proved to be a stroke of genius.
"We really couldn't gauge whether he was getting the comedy of it, and we still said, 'It's Peter Boyle, let's just go with the best actor in the room,'" Romano recalled.
Beyond his exceptional acting skills, Boyle brought a unique depth to the character that resonated with viewers. Romano shared fascinating anecdotes about Boyle's life experiences, including his time as a monk sworn to silence and his connection to the world of rock and roll.
"His wife was a reporter for Rolling Stone. And she interviewed him, and that's how they met," Romano explained. "She was friends with Yoko Ono. They all started hanging out. And when they got married, John Lennon was the best man at Peter's wedding."
Romano and Boyle shared the screen in over 200 episodes of 'Everybody Loves Raymond', earning numerous Emmy Award nominations for their performances. The entire cast, including Brad Garret, Patricia Heaton, and Doris Roberts, contributed to the show's success.
"When you're creating a sitcom, you've got to get lucky. And we got lucky that we found Peter, we found Doris Roberts and even Brad Garrett. You know, we didn't write that role. Brad brought this persona that was nowhere in our minds when we were creating the show," Romano said.
Garrett played Romano's brother Robert, a police officer who moves back in with his parents after his divorce. The character's constant rivalry with Raymond mirrored the sibling dynamic at the heart of the show. Doris Roberts portrayed Romano's overbearing mother, who found endless opportunities to criticize Raymond's wife Debra, played by Heaton.
Despite the reruns' ongoing success, Romano admitted to not enjoying them as much as his fans.
"If I'm being brutally honest, I was filled with doubt all the time. I don't know if I'm acting well, and I know I'm not in the first season," he explained.
However, Romano remains grateful for the experience and the opportunity to work alongside such talented actors.
"We got lucky there. All those things had to fall in place for it to be successful," he concluded.
