Raymond Barone Character Overview
Raymond Barone is the central character in the sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, which aired from 1996 to 2005. He is a sportswriter for Newsday, a daily newspaper based on Long Island, New York. The character is portrayed as a sarcastic, loyal family man living in Lynbrook, New York, with his wife Debra and their three children, Ally, Michael, and Geoffrey. The show's premise revolves around his interactions with his parents, Frank and Marie, who live across the street. This family dynamic drives much of the show's humor and conflict, focusing on everyday domestic life and relationships.
The character was created by Philip Rosenthal and developed for television by CBS. Ray Romano, the actor, drew from his own personal experiences to shape Raymond's persona. The show ran for nine seasons and produced 210 episodes. It consistently ranked among the top ten most-watched television programs in the United States during its original broadcast. The series finale aired on May 16, 2005, and was watched by approximately 32.9 million viewers, according to Nielsen data. The show's enduring popularity is evidenced by its continued syndication and streaming availability.
Ray Romano's Career and Earnings
Ray Romano, the actor who played Raymond, earned significant income from his role on the show. During the peak of the series, his per-episode salary reportedly reached $1.7 million. This placed him among the highest-paid television actors of that era. Before Everybody Loves Raymond, Romano was a stand-up comedian. He gained wider recognition after appearing on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and winning the Johnnie Walker World Championship of Stand-Up in 1989. His stand-up special "Ray Romano: Right From the Heart" aired on HBO in 1994, further building his profile.
After Everybody Loves Raymond ended, Romano continued his career in film and television. He voiced Manny in the Ice Age film series, which grossed over $3.2 billion worldwide. He also starred in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory spin-off Young Sheldon. His net worth is estimated at $200 million, largely due to his long career in entertainment. He remains active in the industry, with recent projects including voice work and occasional stand-up performances. His financial success is a direct result of the longevity and popularity of his most famous role.
Show Production and Legacy
Everybody Loves Raymond was produced by HBO Independent Productions and Where's Lunch, in association with CBS Productions. The show was created by Philip Rosenthal, who also served as an executive producer. The pilot episode was filmed in a standard sitcom format, but the show evolved to include a live studio audience. The production team utilized a multi-camera setup, a common technique for sitcoms of that period. The show's theme song, "Everybody Loves Raymond," was composed by Terry Trotter and Rick Marotta. The series was filmed at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, and its success led to international adaptations in several countries.
The legacy of the show is documented in various media and entertainment databases. The series won 15 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series in 2003. Patricia Heaton, who played Debra Barone, won four Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. The show's influence on domestic sitcoms is widely recognized by critics and industry analysts. Its reruns continue to air on channels like TV Land and are available on streaming platforms. The show's impact is further evidenced by its frequent citation in discussions about classic American television comedy. For more details on the show's history, see the official CBS press release CBS Official Site.