American television’s favourite, much-adored sitcom mom for almost 8 years, Doris Roberts, passed away on Sunday at age 90. While the actress’ career dates back to the early days of American television, she was best known for her role of an overbearing, yet lovable, mother of Ray Romano in Everybody Loves Raymond. In fact, in a recently released transcript by NPR, it is said that “some pretty famous names auditioned for the role of Marie Barone but no one nailed the part as well as Roberts”.
Ever since the news of her death hit the circuit, condolences and tributes from co-stars and friends have been pouring in. Her reel-life son Ray released a statement saying, “Doris Roberts had an energy and a spirit that amazed me. She never stopped. Whether working professionally or with her many charities, or just nurturing and mentoring a green young comic trying to make it as an actor, she did everything with such a grand love for life and people.”
Apart from being an incredible actress, Roberts also spoke at length about age discrimination in Hollywood and said that the entertainment industry “is the worst perpetrator of this bigotry”.
Roberts was going to be part of the film titled Old Soldiers, which revolves around a group of aging veterans who decide to take a road trip to Washington to visit World War II Memorial. However, not much can be said about the future of the film now since Roberts is the third star of the cast to have passed away following the death(s) of Mick Rooney and James Best.