Ray Romano

Ray Romano

Romano at the Voice Awards, August 2014
Born Raymond Albert Romano
(1957-12-21) December 21, 1957
Queens, New York, U.S.
Occupation Actor, stand-up comedian, screenwriter
Years active 1989–present
Spouse(s) Anna Scarpulla (m. 1987)
Children 4

Comedy career

Medium Stand-up, television, film
Genres Observational comedy, blue comedy, slapstick
Influences Bob Newhart,[1] David Letterman
Website www.rayromano.com

Raymond Albert "Ray" Romano (born December 21, 1957) is an American actor, stand-up comedian and screenwriter. He is best known for his role on the sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, for which he received an Emmy Award, and as the voice of "Manny" in the Ice Age film series. He created and starred in the TNT comedy-drama Men of a Certain Age (2009–11). From 2012 to 2015, Romano had a recurring role as Hank Rizzoli, a love interest of Sarah Braverman in Parenthood.

Personal life and family

Romano was born in Queens, New York, the son of Lucie (Fortini), a piano teacher, and Albert Romano (November 7, 1925 – March 11, 2010), a real estate agent and engineer.[2][3] He is of seven-eighths Italian, and one-eighth French descent, and grew up in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Queens.[4] He has an older brother, Richard (born in 1956), a sergeant with the NYPD, and a younger brother, Robert, a second grade teacher in New York City.[5] Romano married his wife, Anna Scarpulla, on October 11, 1987. They met while working at a bank together. They have four children: one daughter, Alexandra (born in 1990), and three sons: twins Matthew and Gregory (born in 1993), and Joseph Raymond (born in 1998).[6]

Romano's character's daughter on Everybody Loves Raymond was named after his real-life daughter. Also, in the series pilot, Ray and Debra's twin boys were named Gregory and Matthew, after Romano's real-life twin sons, but Romano felt it was inconvenient to have all his TV children have the same names as his real children, and changed the twins' names to Geoffrey and Michael on screen. He also said his brother was not pleased with Ray Barone's TV brother.[7]

Romano's family has made various appearances in the show. Romano's real-life daughter Alexandra "Ally" Romano made several appearances on Everybody Loves Raymond as Molly, the best friend of his on-screen daughter, Ally, and the daughter of Ray Barone's nemesis, Peggy the Cookie Lady. Romano's father, Albert Romano, has made various appearances as "Albert", one of Frank Barone's lodge buddies in various episodes such as "Debra at the Lodge", and "Boys' Therapy". Romano's brother, Richard Romano, has appeared in the episodes "Golf For It", "Just a Formality" and "The Toaster". Romano's wife Anna appeared as one of the moms in the background at Geoffrey's and Michael's school in season 6's episode titled "The Angry Family."

In February 2012, Romano revealed that his wife, Anna, had successfully battled stage one breast cancer in 2010. Romano told People magazine that "the reason we're going public is to share our experience, yeah, but to have an effect. Our goal is to help people."[8]

Career

Romano attended elementary and middle school at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Forest Hills. After transferring from Archbishop Molloy High School, Romano graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1975.[9] He was in the same high school class as Fran Drescher and later appeared on Drescher's sitcom, The Nanny, as Ray Barone, where it was revealed that Ray and Drescher's character, Fran Fine, were high school classmates. Before getting into show business, Romano briefly attended Queens College, in Flushing, New York, where he studied accounting. Romano quit after gaining only 15 credits in three years, but he would later return.[6]

His early comedy career started when he competed in the Johnnie Walker Comedy Search in 1989 directed by Saturday Night Live short film producer Neal Marshad and appeared on The Comedy Channel (United States). His career included many outlets, such as Comedy Central, where he had been a recurring guest voice on the show Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist. He also was a contestant on Star Search in the stand-up comedy category. He originally was cast to play Joe (originally named Rick) on the American television sitcom NewsRadio, but was fired and replaced by Joe Rogan. He then appeared on Late Show with David Letterman doing his stand up routine which formed his ties with CBS. Shortly thereafter, he became the star of his own show, Everybody Loves Raymond on CBS, that featured a cast and format more suitable to Romano's brand of humor. His work on the series earned him six Emmy nominations, winning in 2002, as well as five Screen Actors Guild Award nominations and two Golden Globe Award nominations.

Romano and his comedian best friend, Kevin James, starred in the salesman comedy, Grilled, as two Average Joe's of the same profession who are both desperate to land a big sale.

Romano was featured on a 2000 episode of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, on which he won US$125,000 for the NYPD's D.A.R.E. Unit.

In 2001, Romano was named one of E!'s top twenty entertainers of the year. That same year he was featured with his brother (a teacher at a school in Long Island) on a New York Police Department recruiting poster. In 2004 he became the highest-paid television actor in history for his role of Raymond on CBS's Everybody Loves Raymond. It was later revealed on E! that he had broken another record by his show having the highest revenue at US$3.9 billion.

On December 13, 2003, Romano was featured as a special guest star, sending a birthday card to Bob Barker in his eightieth-birthday bash on the twenty-seventh "Million Dollar Spectacular" special of the long-running daytime CBS series The Price Is Right.

Romano was the subject of the documentary film, 95 Miles to Go. The film documents Romano's road-trip for a series of rides across the south of the United States. The film was released in theaters on April 7, 2010, by ThinkFilm.[10] In August 2006 Romano was interviewed in front of a live audience at UCLA by fellow stand-up veteran, David Steinberg, for an episode of Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg. The program first aired on the TV Land network in March 2007.

Romano returned to television with a new dramedy for TNT in 2008, Men of a Certain Age, which he co-created with former Everybody Loves Raymond writer, Mike Royce. It co-starred Scott Bakula and Andre Braugher.

Romano made an appearance in the seventh season of NBC show The Office as Merv Bronte, a nervous job applicant interviewing for the job left vacant by Michael Scott.

Romano made an appearance in the third-season premiere of ABC sitcom The Middle as Nicky, a friend of Mike, who ruined his and Frankie's honeymoon. Romano was the second actor from Everybody Loves Raymond to be reunited with Patricia Heaton on The Middle. Doris Roberts guest-starred in three episodes.

He joined the cast of Parenthood beginning September 11, 2012.[11][12] He became a semi-regular, playing photographer Hank Rizzoli, who hired and later had a romantic relationship with Sarah Braverman and developed a friendship with her nephew who has Asperger syndrome. The role was specifically created for him after he expressed his love for the show and met with creator Jason Katims on the set of Friday Night Lights.[13]

In 2002, Romano voiced Manfred aka Manny, a woolly mammoth in the first film Ice Age, then in 2006, Romano returned to voice Manny in the second film Ice Age: The Meltdown, next in 2009, Romano voiced the role of Manny in the third film Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs then in 2012, Romano voiced Manny in the fourth film Ice Age: Continental Drift, then in 2016, Romano voiced Manny in the fifth film Ice Age: Collision Course from the Blue Sky Studios' Ice Age film series.

Competitions

Romano at the 2010 World Series of Poker main event

Romano competed in the World Series of Poker in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2015.

In early 2010, Romano starred in the second season of The Golf Channel's original series The Haney Project in which Tiger Woods' former coach, Hank Haney, attempts to improve the golf games of different celebrities and athletes. Charles Barkley starred in the first season. Romano's goals are to finish the show being able to break 80.[14] Romano took time off from the show to be with his father, Albert Romano, who died in March 2010. The show resumed on May 24. Romano is also a regular competitor in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am; where he finished fifth in 2012 with partner, Australian professional Steven Bowditch. It was the first time Romano had qualified for the final round after failing to do so on 11 successive occasions, previously. He also competes annually in the American Century Championship, a celebrity golf tournament owned by NBC and held at Lake Tahoe[15][16] each July.

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1995–1997 Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist Ray 7 episodes
1996–2005 Everybody Loves Raymond Raymond Barone Lead role (210 episodes)
1997 Cosby Episode: "Lucas Raymondicus"
1998–2005 King of Queens, TheThe King of Queens 4 episodes
1998 Nanny, TheThe Nanny Episode: "The Reunion Show"
1999 Becker Episode: "Drive, They Said"
2002 All That Himself Guest appearance with Nelly Furtado
2005 Simpsons, TheThe Simpsons Ray Magini Episode: "Don't Fear the Roofer"
2007 'Til Death Guest at Italian Restaurant Episode: "The Italian Affair"
2007 Knights of Prosperity, TheThe Knights of Prosperity Himself 3 episodes
2008 Hannah Montana Himself Episode: "We're All On This Date Together"
2009–2011 Men of a Certain Age Joe Tranelli Lead role (22 episodes)
2011 Office (U.S.), TheThe Office (U.S.) Merv Bronte Episode: "Search Committee"
2011 Middle, TheThe Middle Nicky Kohlbrenner Episode: "Forced Family Fun" (parts 1 and 2)
2014 Maron Himself Episode: "Marc's New Friend"
2012–2015 Parenthood Hank Rizzoli Recurring role (seasons 4–6), 44 episodes
2016 Vinyl Zak Yankovich Lead role
2016 Kevin Can Wait Vic Episode: "Beat the Parents"

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1990 Caesar's Salad Policeman Short film
2002 Ice Age Manfred "Manny" Voice role
2004 Welcome to Mooseport Handy Harrison
2004 Eulogy Skip Collins
2004 95 Miles to Go Himself
2006 Ice Age: The Meltdown Manfred "Manny" Voice role
2006 Grilled Maurice
2008 Last Word, TheThe Last Word Abel
2008 Grand, TheThe Grand Fred Marsh
2009 Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs Manfred "Manny" Voice role
2009 Funny People Himself Cameo
2012 Ice Age: Continental Drift Manfred "Manny" Voice role
2014 Rob the Mob Jerry Cardozo
2016 Ice Age: Collision Course Manfred "Manny" Voice role
2017 The Big Sick Post-production

Writing credits

Everybody Loves Raymond

In addition to his roles as star and producer of Everybody Loves Raymond, Romano also co-wrote the following episodes:

Season one
Season two
Season three
Season four
Season five
Season six
Season seven
Season nine

Men of a Certain Age

Season one
Season two

Bibliography

Awards and nominations

Year Category Work Result
American Comedy Awards
1999 Funniest Male Performer in a Television Series (Leading Role) Everybody Loves Raymond Won
2000 Funniest Male Performer in a Television Series (Leading Role) Everybody Loves Raymond Won
2001 Funniest Male Performer in a Television Series (Leading Role) Everybody Loves Raymond Won
Emmy Awards
1999 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2000 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2000 Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (w/ Philip Rosenthal) Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2001 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2002 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Won
2003 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2005 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2005 Outstanding Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Won
Screen Actors Guild
1999 Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2001 Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2002 Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
Golden Globes
2000 Best Performance by an Actor in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2001 Best Performance by an Actor in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
American Film Institute
2001 Best Male Actor in a Television Series Everybody Loves Raymond Won
People's Choice Awards
2002 Favorite Male Television Performer (tie w/ Kelsey Grammer) Everybody Loves Raymond Won
2003 Favorite Male Television Performer Everybody Loves Raymond Won
2004 Favorite Male Television Performer Everybody Loves Raymond Won
2006 Favorite Male Television Star Everybody Loves Raymond Won
Kid's Choice Awards
2003 Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie Ice Age Nominated
2010 Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie Ice Age: Dawn of The Dinosaurs Nominated

References

  1. Newhart, Bob (2006). I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This!. New York: Hyperion. ISBN 1-4013-0246-7.
  2. "Ray Romano Biography (1957-)". filmreference.com. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  3. "Albert Romano Obituary". tributes.com. 2010-03-12. Retrieved 2015-03-28.
  4. Strickland, Carol. "Can Sitcom Make It With L.I. Setting?", The New York Times, December 1, 1996. Accessed November 12, 2007. "For Everybody Loves Raymond, the route to Hollywood Hills began in Forest Hills, where Ray Romano, standup comedian and the star of the show, grew up."
  5. Ray Romano and his brothers see the humor in sibling rivalry - and they put it on paper. Online Athens. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
  6. 1 2 Article Bio. "Ray Romano Bio". Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  7. Heldenfels, Rich (2 October 2013). "Mailbag: 'Unforgettable' to return for third season in summer 2014". Akron Beacon Journal. Archived from the original on 15 October 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  8. "Ray Romano: My Wife Beat Breast Cancer". People. February 8, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  9. "Yahoo Movies - Ray Romano". Retrieved 2006-08-23.
  10. gavin6942 (16 October 2004). "95 Miles to Go". IMDb. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  11. Rice, Lynette (June 19, 2012). "'Parenthood' scoop: Ray Romano to guest star". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  12. Mitovich, Matt Webb (June 20, 2013). "Parenthood: Ray Romano Books Season 5 Encore". TVLine. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  13. Fernandez, Maria Elena (January 2, 2013). "Ray Romano is happy to be playing on Team Max on 'Parenthood'". Today.com. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  14. Comedian Ray Romano to star in next season of Haney Project
  15. Saracevic, Al (July 16, 2016). "Pairings at the celebrity Tahoe event that we'd like to see". San Francisco Chronicle.
  16. Hartley, Georgette (July 17, 2012). "Hollywood, NFL, NBA, NHL superstars compete like golf pros for American Century Championship title". Lake Tahoe Blog.
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