Peter Boyle, who portrayed Ray Romano's father on the CBS hit
Everybody Loves Raymond, died Tuesday night at New York Presbyterian Hospital at age 71. He had been suffering from multiple myeloma and heart disease.
Boyle grew up in Philadelphia and attended Roman Catholic schools as a child, eventually entering into a monastery. After several years, he left and went on the road with legendary acting teacher Uta Hagen. He stopped in Chicago to study with the improv group Second City. Eventually, Boyle began getting parts in commericals and on TV shows in New York.
Joe, the 1970 film in which Boyle played an angry bigot who seethed with murderous rage against hippies, put the actor on the map.
"The film, largely due to his performance, became a sleeper hit," film critic Leonard Maltin said today. "And he just took off overnight."
Mel Brooks' 1974 film Young Frankenstein catapulted Boyle to comedy stardom. Critic Roger Ebert wrote that Boyle, playing the monster opposite Gene Wilder's Dr. Frankenstein, "somehow manages to be hilarious and pathetic at the same time." Frankenstein became one of the top grossing comedies of the 1970s.
Around that time, Boyle became friends with musician John Lennon. When Boyle married in 1974, Lennon served as his best man.
In the sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, which ran from 1996 to 2005, Boyle used his comedic glower to full effect as Frank Barone, the grouchy father of the titular Ray. In 1999, Boyle suffered a heart attack while on the set of the show but returned to work soon after.
Boyle was the only cast member of Raymond who never won an Emmy for the show. He did, however, win an Emmy for a guest appearance on The X-Files.
Awwww He was a really funny and good character! Him and raymond is what mad that show funny! The show could never be the same without him! RIP! =(
And to think how many times he said he wishes he was dead in Everybody Loves Raymond. Now he really is.
So sad.
Thats really after upsetting me now. because over here in Ireland, we only got to see the final episode less that a week ago..maybe it was a good thing they finished the show - because it wouldn't have been the same without him.
Oh my god I am only after seeing now that Peter died. R.I.P Mr Boyle.. and as only you could say "Holy Crap"
If he would have been still in the series, It would be just like 8 Simple Rules with John Ritter. They probably would have just cancelled the show. wow I'm kinda in shock right now.
wow aparently I dont watch the news because I just found out about this. I hope you rest in peace, Peter Boyle. Oh wow, my condolences to your family & friends
Can you imagine how sad it would have been if they had still been taping the series! They would have had to tape an awkward episode dealing with his absence. Thank God Ray Romano cancelled the show before that happened.
I had not even realized that he had passed away until someone at the X files forums brought it up. I must say that he was a tremendous actor and I love much of his work. Beyond his performances he always seemed like such a great person to know so I wish him well.
Holy crap!I still can't believe he's dead!It won't be the same watching Everybody loves Raymond now!I wonder what the show would have done if it was still on????????? I think they should have a tribute to Peter Boyle when the next Everbody loves Raymond season comes out on dvd!You are missed Peter!:(
I was actually watching ELR on Tuesday when I opened yahoo news and saw the headline. One moment your laughing and then you read that he is gone, but I didn't feel sad or anything because I was still enjoying the episode. And I will continue watching and loving every minute of ELR.
Love you, Peter! :)
I hope the family of Peter Boyle will take comfort from all these comments, and realise how much love and respect the world had for a truly great actor. Peter you will be missed.
May he rest in peace. He was a great actor.
Wow every other day you hear about a tv star from the Golden age of tv dying. He will be missed and remembered.
A big loss you will be missed :(
Comedy has lost a son. Thank you for all that you did here to make us laugh so hard! No one could have made Frank Barone so loveable. I hope you knew how much you were loved.
RIP Peter Boyle. You were a great actor and a great man. You will be missed.
hey everybody lets remember the FRANK'S TRIBUTE episode...
Peter Boyle had such a long, successful career.
May God bless him, he will be missed.
Rest in Peace and Goodbye! (You will be missed)
Aw he was such a good actor at being the father. He was always so funny and he will be missed by a lot of people
That's really sad.I was just saying the other day how he really seemed to age in the last year or so of Raymond.He will be missed.
stunned! Thoughts and simpathy to all he leaves behind.
Yeah i will miss him to he was a great actor, and Had a really sense of humor, Hope you are okay in heaven
I watched every episode of Everybody Loves Raymond and many more roles he played. I loved his comedic personality and will miss him dearly. Thank you Peter Boyle for lighting up my life!
we`ll miss you !
Peter Boyle was a hilarious character on "Everybody Loves Raymond." Every word out of his mouth was funny. He will be missed terribly. Congratulations on a very successful life, Mr. Boyle.
Holy Crap :(It's sure going to feel weird the next time I watch 'Raymond'. Goodbye Mr. B.
He was my favourite character on Everybody Loves Raymond. Its sad that he is gone. R.I.P.
I didnt watch Raymond alot but when i would see a couple minutes of it i always got a laugh from Peter Boyle.
R.I.P. Peter Boyle
How sad, he was a great actor. R.I.P. to you Peter Boyle.
i really loved him he starred as father time on santa clause 3 the escape clause the cast will surely miss him rip he was one of my all time favorite actors and he starred in one of my all time favorite show
oh no my prayers are with peters family. this stinks he was one of my favorite actors of all time
couldn't believe it...may heaven shine on you Mr. Boyle
RIP Mr. Boyle. May all thoughts and prayers be with your family during this time! :(
Boyle's TV career went all the way back to when he worked with Ernie Kovacs in Philadelphia in the early '50s. It's nice to know he ended his career as a "familiar" TV face (and possibly this is why it was a good idea to end "EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND"
last season, when everyone was "still around"). He was a good character actor...and he will indeed be missed!
Omgosh..I can't believe it! He was such an incredible person. I'm going to miss you lots..RIP Peter Boyle.. =(
I only knew him in Every Body Loves Raymond and I really loved him in the show, R.I.P.
:( i'm shocked, he will be missed
sad news to hear.
R.I.P. Mr. Boyle...
R.I.P
well that sucks i liked him in the x files
What! Whoa, That's so sad! He seemed so full of life on Raymond. He was the best thing about that show. My thoughts go out to his Fans, Friends and Family.
"Holy Crap"
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
oh no, He was great in Everybody loves Raymond.
This was such a sad surprise. Now I have to watch Raymond reruns in remembrance.
Rest In Peace.
I also loved him on Everybody Loves Raymond. I'll miss you Peter.
i'm so sad =[, he was so great! Rest in Peace!
well at least he lived a good life :)
sad news.