Ray Romano

Ray Romano
Name	Ray Romano
Birth name	Raymond Albert Romano
Birth date	21 December 1957
Birth place	Queens, New York City, New York
Occupation	Comedian; actor; screenwriter; producer
Years active	1989–present
Notable works	Everybody Loves Raymond; Parenthood; Ice Age
Spouse	Anna Romano

Ray Romano Ray Romano is an American stand-up comedian, actor, screenwriter, and producer known for his observational comedy and portrayals of working-class family life. He gained widespread recognition for starring in the sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, and has voiced characters in the Ice Age animated films while also appearing in dramatic television series such as Parenthood and Get Shorty. His career spans stand-up clubs, network television, feature animation, and cable drama, earning multiple industry nominations and awards.

Early life and education

Romano was born in Queens, New York City, to Italian-American parents of Sicilian and Calabrian descent; his father worked as a heating contractor and his mother as a homemaker. He grew up in Ozone Park and later in Long Island, attending Lindenhurst Senior High School before enrolling at Suffolk County Community College where he studied accounting. After graduating, Romano worked as an accountant for firms in New York and performed stand-up comedy at clubs in Manhattan, including venues that launched the careers of comedians associated with The Comedy Store, Gotham City Comedy Club, and the New York comedy circuit.

Career

Romano began performing stand-up in the late 1980s, appearing on programs such as The Late Show with David Letterman, The Late Late Show, and Comedy Central Presents, which led to roles on Saturday Night Live and guest spots on sitcoms produced by CBS and NBC. He created and starred in the CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond (1996–2005), produced by Hogan Entertainment and Worldwide Pants Incorporated, which featured ensemble actors from Patricia Heaton to Brad Garrett and ran concurrently with series produced by Sony Pictures Television. Post-sitcom, Romano expanded into dramatic television with recurring roles on Parenthood and lead roles in series developed for HBO Max and Epix, while also serving as an executive producer and writer for projects associated with Warner Bros. Television and 20th Television. In film, he voiced the character Manny in the Ice Age franchise, working with studios such as 20th Century Fox and collaborating with voice actors including John Leguizamo and Denis Leary. Romano has toured internationally, headlining comedy festivals like the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal and performing at venues affiliated with Carnegie Hall benefit events.

Filmography

His filmography includes voice and live-action credits across animated franchises, studio comedies, and independent drama: voice work in Ice Age (2002), Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006), and sequel entries produced by Blue Sky Studios; appearances in films distributed by 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures, and Paramount Pictures; television roles on Everybody Loves Raymond, Parenthood, Get Shorty, and guest appearances on episodes of Saturday Night Live and late-night programs. He has also produced and written for specials and shows aired on CBS, HBO, and streaming platforms managed by Netflix and Hulu.

Personal life

Romano is married to Anna Romano; the couple has four children and has lived in suburbs of Westchester County and maintained residences in Los Angeles during production periods. He is of Roman Catholic background and maintains ties to Italian-American communities and cultural organizations in New York City and Long Island. Romano has spoken publicly about experiences with sports fandom for teams such as the New York Yankees and interests in hobbies including golf at courses associated with regional clubs in New York and California.

Awards and honors

Romano received multiple nominations from the Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his work on Everybody Loves Raymond, winning awards for ensemble casts and earning nominations from the Golden Globe Awards. He and the cast won Screen Actors Guild Award recognition and the series received accolades from industry organizations including the Writers Guild of America and the Producers Guild of America. Romano has been honored at comedy festivals such as Just for Laughs and received lifetime achievement acknowledgments from television industry groups associated with Broadcasting & Cable and critics' associations.

Philanthropy and advocacy

Romano has supported charitable causes and benefit events for organizations including medical research centers such as regional chapters of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and disaster relief efforts coordinated with Red Cross chapters. He has participated in fundraising galas with institutions like Mount Sinai and youth programs affiliated with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and has lent his voice to public-service campaigns promoted by media outlets including NBCUniversal and nonprofit coalitions addressing health and family welfare.

Category:1957 births Category:American male comedians Category:American male television actors Category:American voice actors Category:People from Queens