Tragic story of Everybody Loves Raymond star’s death as full list of 23 cast members who have died is revealed
The Everybody Loves Raymond cast reunion on Monday (November 24) paid tribute to their late co-stars, including the tragic death of one of its child stars
The hit US sitcom was a staple for those who love to watch a dysfunctional family tearing each other apart every episode, but it wouldn’t have been nearly as brilliant without its amazing cast.
We all knew the family, and their dynamic may have felt familiar to us, which is why the death of Sawyer Sweeten, who played Raymond’s son Geoffrey, was such a blow.
Created by Phil Rosenthal, the show followed sportswriter Ray Barone (Ray Romano), his wife Debra (Patricia Heaton) and their three kids (the Sweeten siblings).
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Of course, most of the fun came from his overbearing parents Frank (Peter Boyle) and Marie (Doris Roberts), as well as his relationship with his brother Robert (Brad Garrett).
The show aired on CBS from September 1996 to May 2005, and earned 15 Emmy Awards.
During the special 30th anniversary show on Monday night, his memory, and the memory of the other 22 other cast members who have passed since the show ended were honored.
Sawyer Sweeten’s tragic death
Sawyer appeared for all nine seasons of the show and was a fixture in a total of 142 episodes beside his twin brother, Michael (Sullivan Sweeten) and sister Ally (Madylin Sweeten).
Sadly, after fame, Sawyer’s story ended in tragedy. He was found deceased in April 2015 after taking his own life just weeks before his 20th birthday during a visit to family in Texas.
Addressing his sudden death, Sawyer's twin Sullivan said on the show: "None of us really expected what happened, but I try to think about the good moments. And oftentimes, that’s here on the set.”
Madylin added it was 'so important' to talk about suicide prevention when discussing Sawyer, revealing the family is ‘passionate’ about the topic.
She said: “It is the second leading cause of death between ages 18 to 25. But 90 percent of people who seek treatment are cured.”
Romano shared that the young actor had ‘this bright energy’ on set.
In 2015, the cast and screw released statements about the star's death and included thoughts to the grieving family.
Heaton, his television mother, said at the time of his death: “Sawyer Sweeten was a funny and exceptionally bright young man. He is gone from us far too soon.'”
Four years later, in 2019, People reported Sawyer’s family and members of the Los Angeles theatre group, Loft Ensemble restored two old theaters on the church's grounds in remembrance.
It was dedicated by the Sawyer Sweeten Foundation, the Rosenthal Family Foundation, and Ray and Anna Romano.
But Sawyer’s death was just one of many mentioned on the reunion show, with 22 others remembered for their acting, lives, and laughs they brought to the screen.
Doris Roberts
You'll remember Roberts as Ray's meddling mom Marie, who literally brought the most laughs of all.
The actress won four Emmy awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as the mom who hated Raymond's wife, and babied her son Robert.
Sadly, the actress passed away in her sleep after a stroke in April 2016, aged 90.
During the reunion special, Rosenthal said that out of the 100 women who auditioned for her role, she was the clear winner.
"She was what was in my head and in my life and was so beyond," he said. "My real mother used to say, 'You know it is a little exaggerated'. But you never saw that with Doris because she was always spot on.
"She was always 100 percent believable."
Roberts had paid tribute to Sawyer after his death one year prior, writing on Facebook: "It is with great sadness that I learned the news that Sawyer Sweeten, who played my grandson Geoffrey Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond, died at his family's home in Texas.
"He was a very sweet young man who will be dearly missed. Make sure your loved ones know how much you care about them, and please check in with them if you haven't touched base with them for a while. It's very important to keep in touch."
Peter Boyle
Boyle played Ray’s father Frank on the show, and died in December 2006 of a bone marrow cancer called multiple myeloma and heart disease, aged 71.
He was honored during the reunion with Ramano discussing how he helped him during the pilot of the show when he was nervous.
Boyle allegedly helped him out by saying: “It’s just like water. Just let it flow.”
Romano said on the reunion special: "At that time, I'm like, 'What does that mean?' And even though as an actor, I didn’t know exactly what that meant, but I do now. Just the gesture, the gesture of him reaching out to me."
Georgia Engel
Engel played Pat MacDougall, who was the mom of Ray's sister-in-law, Amy.
She played the role from 2003 and 2005.
Sadly, the actress died in April 2019 in Princeton, New Jersey, aged 70, of unknown causes.
According to reports, she did not consult doctors due to her religious beliefs.
Fred Willard
Amy's father, Hank MacDougall, was played by actor Fred Willard who appeared in 13 episodes between 2003 and 2005.
Willard died in May 2020 of cardiac arrest, and had underlying coronary artery disease and myelodysplastic syndrome, a type of blood cancer at the time of his death at 86 years old.
Katherine Helmond
Helmond played Debra's mom, Lois, between 1996 and 2004 for 14 episodes.
She died of Alzheimer’s disease at her home in Los Angeles in February 2019 at the age of 89.
Robert Culp
Culp played Debra's father, Warren Whelan, for 11 episodes, between 1996 and 2004.
Sadly, he passed away in 2010, shortly after collapsing of a heart attack while walking near the entrance to Runyon Canyon Park, Los Angeles.
He was 79 years old.
Anna Berger
Berger appeared in two episodes of the show between 1998 and 2000 as Rita Stipe.
The actress died in May 2014 in Manhattan, New York, aged 91 due to unspecified causes.
Joseph V. Perry
Perry played Nemo, the owner of the local pizzeria, in the sitcom,
Sadly, he died in February 2000 in hospital at Burbank, California, from complications of diabetes at 69 years old.
His final appearance in the show was aired posthumously, and Robert Ruth took over the role for two more appearances.
Robert Ruth
Ruth played Nemo for two episodes in 2001.
The actor died on December 29, 2018, in Torrance, California, from complications of pneumonia at 82.
Phil Leeds
Leeds played Uncle Mel, the brother of Frank's mother, for several episodes.
His season one, episode 10 appearance in 'Turkey or Fish', was probably his best bit.
He died in August 1998 of pneumonia in Los Angeles at age the age of 82.
David Byrd
Byrd played Harry Stipe, who was the husband of Berger's Rita Stipe.
He died in January 2001 in Studio City, California due to cancer.
Gene Greytak
Greytak was the Pope (Laura Luongo / Contributor/ Getty Stock)
Greytak made his appearance as The Pope in the sitcom, but he was actually a real estate broker in real life, who had a side hustle impersonating Pope John Paul II on TV.
He died of cancer in February 2010 in North Tustin, California, at the age of 84.
Argentina Brunetti
Brunetti played Zia Sarina in season two, episode 14's 'Mia Famiglia' when she was accidentally mistaken for Frank's aunt and was flown out to Lynbrook to visit the family.
Brunetti died in Manhattan in 2005 due to unknown reasons at 98.
Jean Stapleton
Stapleton played Alda, the sister of Marie Barone, who caused more harm than good.
She died at her New York Home in May 2013 at 90 years old, with her death unspecified.
Bobbie Norman
Norman took on the small role of Thelma, who was a woman Marie met on a cruise ship in 1999.
She died at 69 in May 2006 in Los Angeles, California.
Charles Durning
Durning was Father Hubley, the Barones’ family priest.
He died on December 24, 2012 of natural causes in New York City at 89.
Len Lesser
Seinfeld actor Lesser played Garvin, a friend of Frank Barone's.
He died in February 2011 from pneumonia related to cancer in Burbank, California at the age of 88.
Max Rosenthal
Rosenthal played the recurring character Max, another one of Frank Barone’s friends.
The actor died in 2021 at age 95.
Patience Cleveland
Cleveland only appeared as Phyllis in season one episode 19's 'The Dog'.
She died from cancer in May 2004, which was unfortunately just four days after her 73rd birthday.
Pearl Shear
Shear appeared as Emma in season one, episode 10.
She died at 91 in 2009 due to complications of old age, per reports.
Peggy Doyle
Doyle was cast as 'Elderly Woman' in season three, episode 12's 'The Toaster'.
She died in July 2006 at the age of 86. Her cause of death was not listed.
Jean Sincere
Sincere played one of the three 'merry widows' cast in the cruising episode with Marie in season three.
She died in April 2013 from natural causes in Los Angeles at 83.
Topics: Film and TV, Celebrity
Britt Jones