‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ Star Peter Boyle Dies

NEW YORK (December 13, 2006) — “Everybody Loves Raymond” star Peter Boyle has died, Access Hollywood has learned.

Boyle, 71, died on Tuesday night in New York after a long battle with multiple myeloma and heart disease.

Boyle played Raymond’s father, Frank Barone, on the hit sitcom.

He won an Emmy in 1996 for his guest role on “The X-Files” and had a total of 10 nominations. He won a SAG Award in 2003 as part of the cast of “Raymond.”

Boyle’s “Raymond” co-star, Ray Romano, shared the following statement with Access:

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Peter Boyle.When I came out to L.A. to do ‘Everybody Loves Raymond,’ I knew no one. Peter immediately took me under his wing and became my friend and mentor. He gave me great advice, he always made me laugh, and the way he connected with everyone around him amazed me. The fact that he could play a convincing curmudgeon on the show, but in reality be such a compassionate and thoughtful person, is a true testament to his talent.

My family and I, and everyone involved with ‘Raymond,’ send our thoughts, prayers, and love to his wife Lorraine, and their children, Lucy and Amy. I feel very lucky to have known and shared great experiences with Peter, and I will miss him forever.”

Patricia Heaton shared a similar sentiment: “After working closely with someone for so many years they become family, and Peter was family. Peter was an incredible man who made all of us who had the privilege of working with him aspire to be better actors. His family can take comfort in knowing that he was loved by everyone that knew him and loved by his many fans who cherished his talent. I will miss him.”

For Boyle, playing the wisecracking Frank on the show was the pinnacle of his career.

“It’s a biggie – nine years. That’s longer than I went to school, grade school anyway,” Boyle joked with Access in an old interview. “I’m kind of a veteran guy in my 60s, so the fact that anybody wants to watch my work is just a big trip.”

Born in 1935 in Philadelphia, Boyle became a monk in the Christian Brothers Monastic Order before getting bit by the acting bug in the late 1960s.

He drew raves for his breakthrough role in 1970 as a racist in the film “Joe.” Boyle had several superstar co-stars from Susan Sarandon to Robert Redford, with whom he appeared in the 1972 film “The Candidate.”

Boyle also appeared alongside Robert De Niro in the 1976 classic “Taxi Driver.” He even showed off his comedic chops as Frankenstein, opposite Gene Wilder, in Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein.”

Brooks released the following statement to Access Hollywood on the death of Boyle:

“I was greatly saddened by the news. I will always cherish Peter Boyle’s remarkable performance as the monster in ‘Young Frankenstein.’”

He continued to demonstrate his range throughout his career taking on darker roles, like Billy Bob Thornton’s mean, bigoted father in the 2001 film “Monster’s Ball.”

During filming of “Monster’s Ball,” Peter sat down with Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson to talk about the role.

“How did you get picked for this project?” Shaun asked.

“They needed somebody who didn’t have much hair and would work for nothing,” he smiled.

Indeed, Boyle was a man of many facets. Many people aren’t aware of his close friendship with Beatle legend John Lennon.

“He was the best man at my wedding,” Boyle revealed. “It was very informal. It just happened spontaneously.”

And while the nuptials may have been spontaneous, Boyle’s marriage to Loraine Alterman lasted 29 years. And as busy as he was, he remained devoted to his wife and daughters, Lucy and Amy.

Access Hollywood’s Tony Potts had the chance to chat with the Boyle family years before Peter’s death.

“What do you think of this crazy dad of yours?”Tony asked the women in Boyle’s life.

“I think he’s pretty fabulous,” Lucy beamed.

“He’s great,” Amy added.

“What about you? You really know him,” Tony joked with Loraine.

“He’s not bad,” his wife smiled. “He’s not bad. Twenty-five years!”

“We should call her a saint,” Tony said to Peter.

“Call her a saint or chemically imbalanced,” Peter responded in jest.

And despite Boyle winning a SAG Award in 2003 and snagging 10 Emmy nominations over the years, as well as “Raymond’s” multiple accolades, Boyle remained humble.

At the end of the long running series, he reflected upon its place in television history with Access’ Nancy O’Dell.

“Is the show going to win all kinds of awards wrapping up everything?” Nancy asked Peter.

“Our award is our place in the hearts of the people,” Boyle said.