A Star Who Felt Like Family
Few actresses in television history have left an impression as deep and lasting as Doris Roberts.
To millions of fans, she will forever be Marie Barone — the sharp-tongued, overbearing, but endlessly loving mother from Everybody Loves Raymond.
But Doris was so much more than the character that made her famous.
She was a Broadway veteran, an Emmy-winning powerhouse, a passionate advocate for aging with dignity, and a woman whose humor and warmth lit up every room she entered.
This is the story of Doris Roberts — the woman who made us laugh, cry, and think about our own mothers a little differently.
Early Life: A Fighter from the Start
Born on November 4, 1925, in St. Louis, Missouri, Doris May Green was raised by her single mother, Ann Meltzer, after her father abandoned the family.
Her mother later remarried Chester Roberts, whose last name Doris proudly took — long before she became a household name.
Doris’s early life wasn’t glamorous. She grew up during the Great Depression, and money was tight. But what she did have was humor, resilience, and determination — qualities that would one day define both her life and her performances.
From Broadway to Hollywood
Before she was stealing scenes on TV, Doris Roberts was commanding the stage.
In the 1950s, she moved to New York City and became part of the vibrant Broadway theater scene.
She appeared in productions like The Desk Set, The Last of the Red Hot Lovers, and Bad Habits, earning a reputation for her timing and emotional depth.
That experience gave her the foundation she would later bring to television — combining comedic rhythm with dramatic realism.
By the 1960s, Hollywood took notice. Doris began landing roles in TV dramas and comedies, proving she could play anyone from a no-nonsense secretary to a heartbroken mother.
Breaking Into Television
Doris Roberts became a regular face on American TV long before Everybody Loves Raymond ever aired.
Her early appearances included roles in:
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The Mary Tyler Moore Show
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Barney Miller
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All in the Family
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St. Elsewhere
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Remington Steele (where she played Mildred Krebs, earning her first wave of national recognition)
She was the kind of actress who didn’t just fit into a scene — she elevated it.
Directors loved her professionalism. Co-stars loved her humor. Audiences loved her honesty.
Landing the Role of Marie Barone
When Doris was cast as Marie Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond in 1996, she was already 70 years old — an age when most actresses are told their careers are over.
Instead, Doris delivered a career-defining performance that turned her into a pop culture icon.
Marie was every son’s worst nightmare and every mother’s greatest defense. She meddled. She criticized. She cooked. And she loved fiercely, in her own smothering way.
The brilliance of Doris’s portrayal was that, even when Marie was insufferable, you couldn’t help but love her. She made you laugh — but she also made you understand her.
How Doris Brought Marie to Life
Philip Rosenthal, the show’s creator, once said:
“Doris had this ability to be terrifying and tender in the same breath. That’s why Marie worked.”
She infused the role with her own mother’s mannerisms, along with bits of her personality — confident, classy, and sharp-witted.
In interviews, Doris admitted she often improvised lines, especially when they felt more authentic to the moment. Her comedic instincts were flawless.
The Real-Life Doris vs. Marie Barone
In real life, Doris Roberts was nothing like the overbearing Marie.
She was independent, open-minded, and endlessly supportive of her friends and colleagues. Co-stars often described her as the heart of the Everybody Loves Raymond set — always ready with advice, snacks, or a perfectly timed joke.
Ray Romano once said:
“She was like a second mother — but one you could actually talk to.”
Patricia Heaton (Debra) recalled how Doris helped her balance motherhood and acting, reminding her, “Don’t forget, you can’t pour from an empty cup.”
Her Awards and Achievements
During her long and brilliant career, Doris Roberts earned:
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5 Emmy Awards (including 4 for Everybody Loves Raymond)
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11 total Emmy nominations
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A Screen Actors Guild Award
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A Hollywood Walk of Fame star (2003)
But Doris didn’t measure success in trophies — she measured it in laughter.
In one interview, she said,
“When people tell me they see their own mom in Marie, I know I’ve done my job.”
Her Advocacy and Activism
Off-screen, Doris Roberts was passionate about elder rights and aging with dignity.
She became a vocal advocate for seniors in Hollywood and beyond — calling out ageism and encouraging people to see older actors as valuable storytellers.
She even testified before Congress about the media’s portrayal of aging, urging producers to create roles that celebrated older characters instead of mocking them.
Doris was proof that life doesn’t stop at 60 — if anything, it gets better.
Her Family and Personal Life
Doris was married twice — first to Michael Cannata (with whom she had a son, Michael Cannata Jr.), and later to writer William Goyen, who passed away in 1983.
Her son went on to work in entertainment as well, producing television shows and even working alongside her. Doris was also a proud grandmother to three grandchildren.
Her close friends often said her happiest moments were at home — surrounded by family, cooking Italian food, and making people laugh around the dinner table.
The Passing of a Legend
Doris Roberts passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 17, 2016, at her Los Angeles home. She was 90 years old.
Her death brought an outpouring of love and grief from across the entertainment world.
Ray Romano said,
“She had such a strong energy and such a kind heart. Doris made every day on set better just by being there.”
Patricia Heaton called her “a consummate professional, a mentor, and a friend.”
Fans worldwide mourned her loss as if they had lost their own mother.
The Tributes That Followed
In the days after her passing, tributes flooded in.
TV networks aired special marathons of Everybody Loves Raymond in her honor.
Social media lit up with stories from fans who said she reminded them of their moms, grandmothers, or even themselves.
Her impact was deeply personal — not because she played a perfect mom, but because she played a real one.
Doris Roberts’ Legacy in Television
Even years after her passing, Doris Roberts’ influence is everywhere.
Her role as Marie Barone changed how sitcoms portrayed mothers — giving them more complexity, humor, and humanity.
She paved the way for actresses like Laurie Metcalf (The Conners), Julie Bowen (Modern Family), and Holland Taylor (Two and a Half Men) to play strong, unapologetic maternal figures.
Her performances continue to inspire young comedians and actors who dream of combining humor with truth — just like she did.
The Timelessness of Marie Barone
Reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond still air daily around the world, and every generation discovers the brilliance of Doris Roberts all over again.
Marie Barone isn’t just a character — she’s a symbol of love wrapped in criticism, affection disguised as control, and care that knows no boundaries.
And every time we laugh at one of her zingers, we remember Doris — the woman who gave life to one of TV’s greatest moms.
Conclusion: A Legacy That Lives On
Doris Roberts’ story isn’t just about fame — it’s about heart, courage, and laughter that transcends time.
From Broadway to sitcom royalty, she gave everything she had to her craft, proving that humor and humanity go hand in hand.
Even after her passing, her voice, her timing, and her warmth continue to echo through every living room that still tunes in to Everybody Loves Raymond.
Because for millions of fans, she’s not just Marie Barone.
She’s family.
FAQs
1. What was Doris Roberts best known for?
She’s best known for playing Marie Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond, one of television’s most iconic sitcom mothers.
2. How many Emmys did Doris Roberts win?
She won five Emmy Awards, including four for her performance on Everybody Loves Raymond.
3. When did Doris Roberts pass away?
She passed away on April 17, 2016, at the age of 90.
4. Was Doris Roberts like Marie Barone in real life?
No — while she shared Marie’s wit and strength, Doris was far more nurturing, open-minded, and kind-hearted in real life.
5. What is Doris Roberts’ lasting legacy?
Her legacy is one of laughter, empowerment, and authenticity — reminding the world that age is never a limit to greatness.
