Emmy winner Doris Roberts, star of Everybody Loves Raymond, has died at age 90. Known for her comedic roles on television, Roberts began her career on the Broadway stage.
A representative for Roberts confirmed her death to the Hollywood Reporter. Roberts died of natural causes in her sleep April 17 in Los Angeles.
Born November 4, 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri, Roberts made her Broadway debut in a 1955 revival of The Time of Your Life, under the direction of Sanford Meisner.
Interestingly, Roberts followed up with the Broadway comedy The Desk Set, starring Shirley Booth, in which she appeared in an onstage role and served as the show’s assistant stage manager.
She went on to appear in June Havoc’s Marathon ’33, as well as Edward Albee’s fourth Broadway play, Malcolm. Among her 11 Broadway credits was the original production of Neil Simon’s The Last of the Red Hot Lovers in 1969, and Terrence McNally’s 1974 double-bill Bad Habits, for which she won the 1974 Outer Critics Circle Award for the show’s Off-Broadway premiere.
She returned Off-Broadway in 2009 for a brief appearance in the rotating cast of Love, Loss, and What I Wore.
Roberts was a constant in film and television, as the ever present, doting mother figure.
She earned four Primetime Emmy Awards for her work as overbearing mother-in-law Marie Barone in the hit television series Everybody Loves Raymond. The show ran for nine seasons.
While comedy suited her demeanor and delivery, Roberts was also honored for her work on the hospital show St. Elsewhere, for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Roberts earned a total of 11 Emmy Award nominations throughout her career.
She is survived by her son, daughter-in-law Jane, and three grandchildren, Andrew, Devon and Kelsey.
Many of her colleagues, especially those who worked with Roberts on Everybody Loves Raymond, took to social media to pay tribute.
“Doris Roberts had an energy and a spirit that amazed me… She never stopped,” Ray Romano said in a statement. “Whether working professionally or with her many charities, or just nurturing and mentoring a green young comic trying to make it as an actor, she did everything with such a grand love for life and people and I will miss her dearly.”
Brad Garrett, who along with Romano, played Roberts’ sons on Raymond, issued the following statement: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Doris Roberts, an amazing lady and brilliant actor… Doris was vibrant and full of life both on and off the stage, and I am so grateful we shared so many wonderful memories. I will miss her greatly and will always remember her incredible kindness, humor, talent and heart.”
To my beloved Marie - RIP. pic.twitter.com/TtZCySQnLK
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) April 18, 2016
We loved our mom, the great #DorisRoberts. A wonderful, funny, indelible actress and friend. pic.twitter.com/539JOa8EWo
— Phil Rosenthal (@PhilRosenthal) April 18, 2016
