Doris Roberts biography

Synopsis

Doris Roberts was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 4, 1925. After roles on the stage and in film, in 1979, Roberts was cast on the hit TV series Angie, making her a recognizable celebrity for the first time. Following this role, she joined the cast of Remington Steele in 1983. In 1995, Roberts landed the part of Marie Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond, a role for which she won two Emmy Awards for best supporting actress, in 2001 and 2002.

Early Years

Doris May Roberts was born on November 4, 1925, in St. Louis, Missouri. Made famous by her role of meddling mother Marie Barone on the hit television comedy Everybody Loves Raymond, Roberts paid her dues for many years before becoming an "overnight" success. After Roberts's father abandoned the family, her mother was forced to raise Roberts on her own. She soon decided she wanted to become an actress and took odd jobs to pay for drama lessons.

Acclaimed Actress

Roberts's career began with a mix of television and theater, appearing in such varied works as a TV production of Jane Eyre and a theatrical version of the comedy Desk Set. She soon found her niche playing motherly roles, starting with Edward Albee's The American Dream. She made her film debut in 1961's Something Wild, which was followed by The Honeymoon Killers in 1970, A New Leaf in 1971, and Rabbit Test in 1978.

In 1979, Roberts was cast on the hit television series Angie, which made her a recognizable celebrity for the first time in her career. Following this role, she joined the cast of Remington Steele in 1983, as the comedic foil to co-stars Pierce Brosnan and Stephanie Zimbalist. Roberts continued to make regular guest appearances on various series for the next decade, including St. Elsewhere, for which she won an Emmy Award for best supporting actress.

In 1995, Roberts landed the part of Marie Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond, playing the overbearing mother-next-door to comedian Ray Romano. Roberts won two Emmys (best supporting actress) for her work on the show, in 2001 and 2002.

Roberts has one son, her manager Michael Cannata, from her first marriage. She was married a second time to novelist William Goyen, from 1963 until his death in 1983.