Roberts' son, Michael Cannata, confirmed the news of his mother's death in a statement issued Monday.
The 90-year-old actress, whose celebrated career spanned six decades, won four Emmys for her portrayal of Marie Barone on the popular CBS comedy series which ran for 9 seasons (1996-2005). She won an Emmy earlier in her career for supporting actress for her role on the drama St. Elsewhere.
Raymond star Ray Romano, who played Raymond, remembered the actress who played his character's mother in a statement: "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 a grand love for life and people and I will miss her dearly."
On Raymond, Roberts' Marie was a loving, sometimes smothering and often all-knowing (at least in her own mind) presence in the home of Raymond and his wife, Debra (Patricia Heaton), who did not always appreciate Marie's intrusion into family affairs.
The late Peter Boyle played Marie's husband, Frank, and Brad Garrett played Robert Barone, Raymond's brother who felt like Marie's other son compared to the coddled Raymond.
Roberts, who was born in St. Louis, was a veteran of Broadway before starring in various TV series over a career that spanned more than 60 years and includes some yet-to-be-released projects. Her stage credits include The Desk Set, The Last of the Red Hot Lovers and Bad Habits, for which she won an Outer Critics Circle Award.
Besides Raymond, Roberts had memorable roles in other TV series, including Remington Steele and Angie. Early in Roberts' career, she appeared on such classic shows as The Naked City and Ben Casey and later she was featured in shows Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy and The Middle, which stars Heaton.
Roberts' feature film roles include Barefoot in the Park, The Heartbreak Kid (1972) andThe Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and Madea's Witness Protection.
Roberts' passion for cooking was reflected in her 2005 book, Are You Hungry, Dear? Life, Laughs and Lasagna, which she co-wrote with Danielle Morton...
Besides Raymond, Roberts had memorable roles in other TV series, including Remington Steele and Angie. Early in Roberts' career, she appeared on such classic shows as The Naked City and Ben Casey and later she was featured in shows Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy and The Middle, which stars Heaton.
Roberts' feature film roles include Barefoot in the Park, The Heartbreak Kid (1972) andThe Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and Madea's Witness Protection.
Roberts' passion for cooking was reflected in her 2005 book, Are You Hungry, Dear? Life, Laughs and Lasagna, which she co-wrote with Danielle Morton...
Doris Roberts always described the late actor James Coco as her very best friend. Jimmy lived at 45 Christopher Street across from Sheridan Square in Greenwich Village. His building was affectionately known unofficially as the "Coco Building." Sadly, he died very suddenly in 1987 at only 57 of a mass heart attack. His sole biologic survivor was his older sister Lucia Coco,born in Buenos Aires (Argentina) and living in New York.Sadly, Doris Roberts lived bi-coastal in both California and NYC. Her spacious 2 bedroom co-op in Manhattan was located at 200 Central Park South. Sadly,she is now also deceased, dead at 90, in 2016. Most of the classic old-timers from our favorite old TV shows and sitcoms are now all gone and that is truly sad.
ReplyDeleteJames Coco was gay and lived with his partner, Jack,for many years. He died in 1987,at a time when most people,famous or otherwise simply were not out and lived closeted lives. Perhaps his best remembered role was Nick on the hit 1980's tv series: "Who's the biss?" Starring Tony Danza and Judith Licht.It is hard to believe Jimmy is gone now 37 years and Doris Roberts is also gone. "R.I.P."
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