‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ Star Madylin Sweeten Turns 26

It’s safe to say that even though Everybody Loves Raymond ended its run 12 years ago, it’s still a fan favorite all these years later. Throughout its nine-season run, the sitcom was nominated for a staggering 69 Emmy awards, with most of the cast winning at least once during the show’s tenure.

Fans of the show will definitely remember doe-eyed Alexandra “Ally” Barone, played by Madylin Sweeten, who was just 6 years old when the show debuted. What they might not know, however, is that her on-screen twin brothers (Geoffrey and Michael Barone) were also her real-life siblings, Sullivan and Sawyer.

Madylin, who turns 26 today, is now enrolled in California’s Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and also appears to be acting at a nonprofit theater company in Los Angeles.

As for her brothers, Sullivan and Sawyer were just 16 months old when they joined the cast of Everybody Loves Raymond. Tragically, Sawyer passed away in 2015, at the age of 19, due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

“This morning a terrible family tragedy has occurred,” Madylin said in a statement at the time. “We are devastated to report that our beloved brother, son, and friend, Sawyer Sweeten, took his own life. He was weeks away from his 20th birthday.”

The other cast members issued heartbreaking statements at the time of his death, with Ray Romano saying, “He was a wonderful and sweet kid to be around. My heart breaks for him, his family, and his friends during this very difficult time.”

Since his passing, Madylin, along with her mom, Elizabeth, has spoken to many news outlets, including interviews with Dr. Oz and Larry King, to help raise awareness about suicide.