Doris Roberts, who played Marie Barone in the long-running sitcom ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’, has died at the age of 90.
The veteran actress passed away in her sleep at her home in Los Angeles, a family spokeswoman said.
Her cause of death has not been made public, but a statement said the Missouri-born actress had been healthy and active.
Roberts’ performance as Ray Romano’s meddlesome mother in the TV comedy about a dysfunctional family was one of her best-known roles.
Upon hearing of her death, Romano said: “Doris Roberts had 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 and I will miss her dearly.”
During Everybody Loves Raymond’s nine-year run, she won the outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series award at the Emmys four times – and was nominated a further three times.
In 1983, she also won the outstanding supporting actress in a drama series award for her role in the medical soap opera St Elsewhere.
After Everybody Loves Raymond came to an end in 2005, she made guest appearances in other well-known TV shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives.
Phil Rosenthal, who created Everybody Loves Raymond, tweeted: “We loved our mom, the great Doris Roberts. A wonderful, funny, indelible actress and friend.”
We loved our mom, the great #DorisRoberts. A wonderful, funny, indelible actress and friend. pic.twitter.com/539JOa8EWo
— Phil Rosenthal (@PhilRosenthal) April 18, 2016
She is survived by her son, Michael, and three grandchildren.