'Raymond' Cast Mourns Peter Boyle

Actor Who Played TV Dad Had Distinguished Career, Died At 71

(CBS/AP)  When Boyle tried out for the role opposite Romano's Ray Barone, however, he was kept waiting for his audition - and he was not happy.

"He came in all hot and angry," recalled the show's creator, Phil Rosenthal, "and I hired him because I was afraid of him." But Rosenthal also noted: "I knew right away that he had a comic presence."

Patricia Heaton, who played Boyle's daughter-in-law in "Raymond," said in a statement, "Peter was an incredible man who made all of us who had the privilege of working with him aspire to be better actors. ... He was loved by everyone that knew him and loved by his many fans who cherished his talent."

"I've lost an amazing friend and colleague," said Brad Garrett, who played Boyle's son Robert on the sitcom. "Being able to share nine years with Peter on 'Raymond' and witness his talent and humanity was an honor."

Boyle had first come to the public's attention more than a quarter of a century before "Raymond," in the critically acclaimed "Joe." He met his wife, Loraine Alterman, on the set of "Young Frankenstein" when she visited as a reporter for Rolling Stone magazine and Boyle, still in monster makeup, asked her for a date.

On television, he starred in "Joe Bash," an acclaimed but short-lived 1986 "dramedy" in which he played a lonely beat cop. He won an Emmy in 1996 for his guest-starring role in an episode of "The X Files," and was nominated for "Raymond" and for the 1977 TV film "Tail Gunner Joe," in which he played Sen. Joseph McCarthy.

In the 1976 film "Taxi Driver," he was the cabbie-philosopher Wizard, who counseled Robert De Niro's violent Travis Bickle.

He appeared in dozens of other films, including "T.R. Baskin," "F.I.S.T.," "Johnny Dangerously," "Conspiracy: Trial of the Chicago 8" (as activist David Dellinger), "The Dream Team," "Monster's Ball," "The Santa Clause," "The Santa Clause 2," "Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed," and "While You Were Sleeping," in which he played Sandra Bullock's future father-in-law.

The son of a local TV personality in Philadelphia, Boyle was educated in Roman Catholic schools and spent three years in a monastery before abandoning his religious studies. He later described the experience as similar to "living in the Middle Ages."

He explained his decision to leave in 1991: "I felt the call for awhile; then I felt the normal pull of the world and the flesh."

He traveled to New York to study with legendary actress Uta Hagen, supporting himself for five years with various jobs, including postal worker, waiter, maitre d' and office temp. Finally, he was cast in a road company version of "The Odd Couple." When the play reached Chicago he quit to study with that city's famed improvisational troupe Second City.

Upon returning to New York, he began to land roles in TV commercials, off-Broadway plays and finally films.

Through his wife, a friend of Yoko Ono, the actor became close friends with Lennon. "We were both seekers after a truth, looking for a quick way to enlightenment," Boyle once said of Lennon.

In 1990, Boyle had a stroke and couldn't talk for six months. In 1999, he had a heart attack on the "Raymond" set. He soon regained his health, however, and returned to the series.

Despite his work in "Everybody Loves Raymond" and other Hollywood productions, Boyle made New York City his home. He and his wife had two daughters, Lucy and Amy.

[boston1954]

Another fine actor has gone to his reward. Peter, we will miss you. 71 is much too young. As Doris Roberts said "Holy C**p! We will miss him".

[j_flood]

I'm saddened to hear of his death. Seemed like a nice man and a good actor. RIP.

[madbilly1]

I remember a very touching scene in "Raymond". It was between Ray and his Dad. Ray began by reminding Frank that he had always said he did not like Ray's pet rabbit. Ray confesses that one night he had seen his Dad in the back yard holding and petting the rabbit. Frank angrily said that the rabbbit didn't deserve to be ignored. It needed love and he had to give it to him since Ray wouldn't.
How could anyone not like Frank Barone ?

[actornaught]

Peter Boyle was a quality act, and when i saw he was going to series TV, i knew they were extremely lucky to have him.

My favorite part of his was in Where the Buffalo Roam.

[wmdpmd2006]

God speed he was truly a really good man

[wmdpmd2006]

Me and my wife love Raymond. Without Peter is tough to take. He was a really good actor. We loved his Holy ***!! I knew something had happened to him when the next to last season was out and I told my wife something bad had happened and I was right.He will truly be missed. We don't know him personally all we know is he was a great actor. All We can say is we are truly sorry for his loss. And to tell his family he is in a better place and we hope and pray that the lord will be with them during this time.

[smeert]

i remember frank barone as my own grandpa i loved that guy he really knew how to make the world laugh every night with his comebacks and his bad attitude thats what made him special i would not watch raymond but i couldnt miss it cause i knew frank barone was on and he had alot to say again hahahahahahaha i will miss that bald head fighting and his love for his chair he always sat in on the show how he would put down marie but she still would love him and also his sweaters RIP FRANK BARONE..............your in gods hands now god bless everybody loves raymond show love ya frank you will truly and deeply missed by all the world!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kjgal]

Oh my gosh! I didn't even know he had been sick! He was the BEST! ELR would have been nothing without him. I'm glad the show went off the air when it did, it truly was time. God Bless Peter Boyle!

[jammerdude13]

Awwwww. I love him! He was my favorite character in Everybody Loves Raymond. And I loved Young Frankenstein!
RIP

[dock98]

RIP