Ray Romano Speaks About Working With The Late Peter Boyle On ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’

Ray Romano and Peter Boyle’s partnership on the beloved sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond was a comedic gem that captivated audiences. Romano, portraying the endearing yet often flustered Ray Barone, found his comedic counterpart in Boyle’s portrayal of the gruff and straightforward Frank Barone, Ray’s father. Together, they brought to life the timeless father-son relationship, brimming with laughter, affection, and occasional tension.

Boyle’s deadpan delivery and Romano’s impeccable timing got viewers stuck to their screens. Sadly, Boyle passed away on December 12, 2006, after battling multiple myeloma and heart disease. In a recent interview, Romano fondly reminisced on his time and experiences working alongside the late actor during the production of the hit CBS series.

Ray Romano speaks about his first meeting with Peter Boyle

In a discussion with PEOPLE, Romano discussed his encounter with his former costar. He explained that even though Boyle had already achieved stardom, he treated him with the utmost respect. “When I met him, he, of course, was a well-known movie actor, star, and I was nobody. I was a stand-up who got his own sitcom and was trying acting,” the 66-year-old told the news outlet. “I was very intimidated and he took me in. He made me feel welcome. He made me feel part of the club.”

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He noted that his experiences, both on and off camera, with the late actor felt like living in dreamland, primarily because they were entirely unexpected. “It was as surreal as it could be,” Romano added. “I’m doing stand-up one day, and the next day, I’m on my own show and Peter Boyle is my buddy.”

The 66-year-old also stated that the late actor gave him some valuable advice when he was struggling with his performance on the sitcom. “[Peter] said this one quote, and there was no segues or anything,” Romano admitted. “He just stopped me as I was walking, and he said, ‘It’s just like water. Just let it flow.’”

During a 2017 interview with AARP, Romano paid tribute to Boyle stating that he was a man with a wide range of knowledge and experiences and was nothing like his on-screen persona. “Peter was the exact opposite of the closed curmudgeon character he played on TV, one of the smartest guys I ever met,” he confessed. “He’d talk to Patricia Heaton about politics, and he’d dumb it down for me, he spent two years in a monastery with a vow of silence. John Lennon was best man at his wedding to Loraine Alterman, the Rolling Stone reporter who did a story on Mel Brooks.”