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The beloved classic CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond features one of the most impressive main casts of actors in sitcom history. Boasting comedic talents including Ray Romano, Brad Garrett, Patricia Heaton, Doris Roberts, and Peter Boyle, the series chronicled the lives of the eccentric and very interconnected Barone family, as they all lived in far too close proximity to one another.
But beyond the series’ core clan of Barones, Everybody Loves Raymond also boasts a truly incredible cast of recurring characters. Whether in-laws, co-workers, love interests, or friends, the series rarely made a wrong move when it introduced a recurring player. We’re recapping the sitcom’s ten best supporting characters.
Lois Whelan
Everybody Loves Raymond Debra and Lois Christmas Picture
Upon first appearance, there seems to be little more to the character of Debra’s mother, Lois, than a prim, proper, snobby woman. But through the excellence of Katherine Helmond’s performance, and the development of her character over time, Lois is revealed to have many cracks in her pristine persona, revealing a frazzled, volatile woman underneath.
Hghlights of her character include an arc that finds her coming apart at the seams as she and husband Warren try (and fail) to repair their marriage in counseling.
Cousin Gerard
Cousin Gerard in Everybody Loves Raymond
Could it really be possible that someone more neurotic than Ray Barone exists? Somehow, the show managed to find that special person in the role of Fred Stoller’s Cousin Gerard, a character whose sole personality trait can be boiled down to “whiny.”
Highlights of Gerard’s role include his brief time as Raymond’s assistant in his home office, joining a cult alongside Robert, and playing hilariously inappropriate songs on the accordion at Ray and Debra’s vow renewal.
Hank MacDougall
Hank MacDougall in Everybody Loves Raymond
The MacDougall family are introduced later in the series, once Amy becomes a permanent fixture, and in Fred Willard’s Hank, the series introduces the perfect foil to Barone patriarch Frank. Though incredibly reserved, Hank is revealed to have quite a temper when he wants to, even enjoying setting off fireworks.
Highlights of Hank’s character include that same fireworks storyline, the Barone-MacDougall wedding and Thanksgiving episodes, and his refusal of Robert’s request for Amy’s hand in marriage.
Andy
Andy Kindler in Everybody Loves Raymond
Andy is a character that is a frequent present throughout the series from its earliest episodes, and there are few words that describe him better than “lovable” and “adorable.” As one of the loyal members of Ray’s circle of friends, Andy is the resident nerd, often down on himself but ready to chip in with a timely joke.
Highlights of Andy’s role include an episode when he unexpectedly comes into his own as a writer (much to Ray’s consternation), and putting his foot in his mouth on many occasions, including when Debra makes braciole.
Warren Whelan
Warren and Lois Whalen in Everybody Loves Raymond
Lois might be memorable enough on her own, but it’s truly the character of Robert Culp’s Warren Whelan that makes Debra’s parents such a key addition to the series. Oozing pretentiousness and charm in equal measure, Warren is a character defined by his need to appear more cultured and worldly than others, but that doesn’t mean he won’t get a sharp jab in every once in a while, too.
Highlights of Warren’s time on the series include the marriage counseling adventures, his peculiar sleeping routines and pronunciations, and his relationship with a much older woman.
Gianni
Robert Barone and Gianni in Everybody Loves Raymond
Much like Andy, Gianni is one of Ray’s oldest and most reliable friends – for the most part. The ladies’ man of the group, Gianni also happens to often be the dumbest of the circle as well, getting himself in trouble on many occasions. Still, he manages to know just how to win people over, sucking up and getting his way especially with Marie Barone.
Highlights of Gianni’s role include when he briefly dates Amy, much to Robert’s jealousy and rage, when he intends to attend the Super Bowl with Ray, and when he attempts to fix the Barones’ dishwasher.
Pat MacDougall
Pat MacDougall looking surprised at the Barones’ kitchen
As quaint and sweet as they come, Georgia Engel’s Pat MacDougall is one of the series’ most incredible creations. This strait-laced, passionately devout mother is a character that would be easy to dismiss or boil down to a cliche. But through Engel’s perfect comedic timing and delivery, as well as eventual reveals of her own darker and wittier sides, Pat ranks high among the best of the best.
Highlights of her character’s story include an unexpected connection with Ray over a late night puzzle, her frequent subtly sharp remarks at Marie, and the late in the series reveal of her secret smoking habit.
Garvin
Garvin in Everybody Loves Raymond
Garvin is a character that doesn’t appear very often in the series, but each and every time he does, he steals the show. As portrayed by the iconic comedic talent of Len Lesser, also well known for his role as Uncle Leo in Seinfeld, Garvin is easily the best and most over the top of Frank’s lodge friends.
Highlights of Garvin’s role include the exaggerated way he greets Ray whenever he arrives in a room (“Hey, Rey’s here! Ha-ha!”), playing poker with Frank, and engaging in general hijinks at the lodge.
Judy Potter
Judy Potter and Robert Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond
Another character who doesn’t appear very often but makes one hell of an impression is Sherri Shepherd’s Sergeant Judy Potter. As Robert’s partner on the police force, Judy has some of the most memorable experiences with him, and also knows him better than almost anyone else. Though she may be much smaller than Robert, she might also be one of the only characters able to subdue him and take him to task, too.
Highlights of her character include her role in various interventions on Robert’s behalf, her involvement in Robert’s recovery after he is gored by a bull, and of course the memorable episode “Robert’s Date,” when Robert attempts to integrate into her circle of African-American friends.
Peter MacDougall
Peter MacDougall in Everybody Loves Raymond
The most memorable of Everybody Loves Raymond’s recurring characters is, in fact, one who was originally portrayed by someone else. A recasting of a role once held by Paul Reubens led to the introduction of Peter MacDougall, hilariously portrayed by Chris Elliott. Completely quirky, and with a devoted relationship with his cat Miss Puss and a vendetta against brother-in-law Robert, Peter is one of the weirdest, and most hilarious, characters to appear in a sitcom in recent history.
Highlights of Peter’s memorably wacky role include his revealing intimate details of Robert and Amy’s relationship to his parents, his attempt at sabotaging Robert and Amy’s marriage, his role in the Thanksgiving play, and the time he briefly moves in with Robert and Amy.
