The reunion of the Everybody Loves Raymond cast on Monday (November 24) served as a heartfelt homage to their late co-stars, including the heartbreaking loss of one of its youngest stars.
Known for its humorous portrayal of a chaotic family dynamic, the beloved US sitcom owed much of its success to its exceptional cast.
Many viewers grew attached to the Barone family, and the passing of Sawyer Sweeten, who portrayed Raymond’s son Geoffrey, was profoundly felt by fans.
The series, created by Phil Rosenthal, centered around sportswriter Ray Barone (Ray Romano), his wife Debra (Patricia Heaton), and their three children, portrayed by the Sweeten siblings.
The comedic brilliance largely stemmed from the characters of Ray’s overbearing parents, Frank (Peter Boyle) and Marie (Doris Roberts), and his interactions with his brother Robert (Brad Garrett).
The show aired on CBS from September 1996 until May 2005, garnering 15 Emmy Awards throughout its run.
The 30th anniversary special on Monday evening included tributes to Sawyer and 22 other cast members who have passed away since the series concluded.
Sawyer appeared in all nine seasons, featuring in 142 episodes alongside his twin brother, Michael (Sullivan Sweeten), and sister, Ally (Madylin Sweeten).
Tragically, Sawyer’s life came to a premature end. He died by suicide in April 2015, just weeks shy of his 20th birthday, while visiting family in Texas.
Reflecting on his twin’s death, Sullivan Sweeten shared 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 emphasized the importance of addressing suicide prevention while speaking of Sawyer, noting the family’s dedication to the cause.
She stated: “It is the second leading cause of death between ages 18 to 25. But 90 percent of people who seek treatment are cured.”
Romano recalled Sawyer’s vibrant energy on set, mourning the young star’s untimely passing.
In 2015, following Sawyer’s death, the cast and crew expressed their condolences and offered support to his family.
Patricia Heaton, who portrayed his TV mother, remarked at the time: “Sawyer Sweeten was a funny and exceptionally bright young man. He is gone from us far too soon.”
In 2019, People reported that Sawyer’s family, along with the Los Angeles theatre group Loft Ensemble, refurbished two theaters in his memory.
The project was supported by the Sawyer Sweeten Foundation, the Rosenthal Family Foundation, and Ray and Anna Romano.
Sawyer’s passing was one of many recognized during the reunion, with 22 others celebrated for the joy and talent they brought to the show.
Doris Roberts, who brought countless laughs as Ray’s meddling mother Marie, was remembered for her iconic role.
The actress received four Emmy awards for her performance as the overbearing mom who often clashed with Raymond’s wife and doted on her son Robert.
Roberts passed away peacefully in her sleep following a stroke in April 2016, at the age of 90.
During the reunion, Rosenthal recalled how Roberts was the standout choice from over 100 auditions for her role.
“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 paid tribute to Sawyer after his death the previous year, expressing 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, who portrayed Ray’s father Frank, succumbed to multiple myeloma and heart disease in December 2006, at the age of 71.
Romano spoke fondly of him during the reunion, recounting how Boyle’s advice helped ease his nerves during the show’s pilot episode.
Boyle encouraged him by saying: “It’s just like water. Just let it flow.”
Reflecting on the reunion special, Romano shared: “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, who played Pat MacDougall, Amy’s mother, featured in the series from 2003 to 2005.
She passed away in April 2019 in Princeton, New Jersey, at 70 years old, due to unknown causes, as she reportedly avoided medical treatment for religious reasons.
Amy’s father, Hank MacDougall, was portrayed by Fred Willard, who appeared in 13 episodes between 2003 and 2005.
Willard passed away in May 2020 from cardiac arrest, with underlying conditions, including coronary artery disease and myelodysplastic syndrome, a form of blood cancer, at the age of 86.
