Who Is Anna Romano?
Anna Romano, born Anna Scarpulla, is the wife of actor and comedian Ray Romano. While Ray’s face became a household name thanks to Everybody Loves Raymond, Anna has always preferred staying behind the scenes—grounded, private, and fiercely loyal to her family. But don’t let her quiet presence fool you. She’s a woman of strength, resilience, and a key part of Ray’s journey.
Early Life and Family Roots
Anna grew up in Queens, New York, in a close-knit Italian-American household. Her parents were Sicilian immigrants who valued family, tradition, and hard work. These values would later shape how Anna raised her own family with Ray.
How Ray and Anna Met: A Love Story at the Bank
Before Ray Romano was a celebrity, he was just a guy trying to make it in comedy—while working as a bank teller. That’s where he met Anna. The two worked together at a bank in Queens in the early 1980s. Ray has admitted he was always late, but something about him caught Anna’s eye. They started dating in 1985 and got married in October 1987.
Keeping Their Marriage Strong for Nearly 40 Years
What’s the secret to their long-lasting marriage? According to Ray, it’s Anna’s down-to-earth personality and complete disinterest in the Hollywood lifestyle. She never got caught up in the fame, and that helped keep their relationship grounded. Humor, honesty, and mutual respect have been key ingredients.
Life as Parents of Four
Anna and Ray have four children:
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Alexandra (born in 1990)
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Twins Matthew and Gregory (born in 1993)
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Joseph (born in 1998)
Their kids grew up far from the glare of Hollywood, thanks in large part to Anna’s efforts to keep things normal at home. Family dinners, school routines, and private parenting helped the Romanos stay connected, despite Ray’s fame.
Anna’s Cameo in Everybody Loves Raymond
Though she avoided the spotlight, Anna did appear once on Everybody Loves Raymond—playing a background role as a school mom. It was a fun moment, but she never sought out acting as a career. Her passion was family.
A Survivor’s Strength: Anna’s Battle with Breast Cancer
In 2010, Anna was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer. She underwent treatment and thankfully made a full recovery. At first, the couple kept the diagnosis private, focusing on family and healing. Later, they shared their story publicly to raise awareness and support others going through similar battles.
Ray has called Anna the strongest person he knows, and her resilience only deepened the family’s bond.
Supporting Ray Behind the Scenes
While Ray was busy filming, touring, or doing press, Anna was the rock at home. She helped raise their kids, kept life structured, and gave honest feedback on Ray’s work—something he says he values deeply. In fact, when he created his movie Somewhere in Queens, which includes a storyline about a cancer survivor, he made sure Anna reviewed the script first.
Why Anna Stays Away from the Spotlight
Unlike many celebrity spouses, Anna has intentionally stayed out of the public eye. She avoids red carpets and rarely gives interviews. It’s not because she isn’t proud of Ray—but because she values privacy, family, and living a life away from the chaos of celebrity.
That choice has helped the Romanos stay strong as a couple and as parents, even when the demands of fame could have pulled them in other directions.
Ray’s Take on Their Marriage
Ray has joked that marriage is work, but he’s always made it clear how much he appreciates Anna. He once said the best advice he got about relationships was to “act like you’re not the star of the world.” That reminder has kept his ego in check—and helped him recognize all that Anna does.
He openly credits her with much of his personal and professional success.
A Love That’s Real, Not Flashy
Ray and Anna’s relationship is refreshingly normal. They enjoy dinners at home, hanging out with their kids, and laughing together about everyday things. No drama. No Hollywood scandal. Just a couple who met at a bank, fell in love, and built a beautiful life together.
What We Can Learn from Anna Romano
Anna’s story is a reminder that you don’t have to be in the spotlight to be powerful. She raised four kids, beat cancer, supported a world-famous comedian, and did it all with humility. She is living proof that the strongest people are often the ones you don’t see on stage.
Conclusion: The Woman Who Made It All Possible
Behind Ray Romano’s legendary career is a woman who chose family over fame, strength over show, and loyalty over limelight. Anna Romano is more than Ray’s wife—she’s his partner, his sounding board, and the steady heart of their home.
In a world obsessed with celebrity drama, their love story reminds us that quiet devotion can be the most powerful kind.
FAQs
1. Who is Ray Romano’s wife?
Ray Romano is married to Anna Romano (née Scarpulla), whom he met while they both worked at a bank in Queens, New York.
2. How long have Ray and Anna been married?
They’ve been married since October 1987—nearly four decades together.
3. How many children do they have?
They have four children: Alexandra, twins Matthew and Gregory, and their youngest, Joseph.
4. Did Anna ever appear on Everybody Loves Raymond?
Yes, she made a brief cameo as a school mom in season six, but she never pursued acting.
5. What is Anna Romano known for besides being Ray’s wife?
She’s a breast cancer survivor, a dedicated mother, and Ray’s constant source of support and strength.
