Doris Roberts, of 'Everybody Loves Raymond,' Dies at 90

Doris Roberts, the actress who epitomized the impossible-to-please yet lovable mother-in-law with her role as Marie on the CBS sitcom "Everybody Loves Raymond," has died. She was 90.

Roberts passed away Sunday at her home in Los Angeles. Family spokeswoman Janet Daily told the Associated Press she did not know Roberts' cause of death but the actress had been healthy and active.

Roberts earned seven Emmy award nominations for her role on "Everybody Loves Raymond," perhaps the role for which she is best remembered. Playing Raymond’s mother Marie Barone, Roberts embodied the put-upon, guilt-tripping mother to perfection. It was a role that required a brilliant balancing act, pivoting hilariously from loving and endearing one moment to caustic and passive aggressive the next. She earned four Emmys for her performance.

"I believe over 100 women read for this part. And, at that time, I was directing a play and I didn't have any time," she told Larry King in 2002. "They said I had an appointment at CBS at 3:30 on a Monday. I said, 'I can't. I've got 23 people and music and all.' They said, 'Yes, we talked to your producer. You're going in 3:30 on Monday afternoon.' And I did. And here I am, six years later."

Roberts was born St. Louis in 1925, but she was raised in the Bronx. She began working in the early 1950s on the television show ‘Studio One.’ Her career spanned more than 60 years including film, TV and stage appearances. Her film credits include "A Lovely Way to Die," "No Way to Treat a Lady," "The Honeymoon Killers," "Such Good Friends," and "Little Murders."

“Doris Roberts had an energy and a spirit that amazed me. She never stopped," Ray Romano told Deadline. "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,”

In addition to her Emmys for "Everybody Loves Raymond," Roberts also won for her work on "St. Elsewhere."

Roberts was equally known for her charity work with organizations such as Puppies Behind Bars and Children with AIDS Foundation.

Roberts continued to work in television following "Raymond," appearing on "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives" and alongside her "Everybody Loves Raymond" costar Patricia Heaton on her new show, "The Middle." She also co-wrote a book, "Are You Hungry, Dear? Life, Laughs, and Lasagna," in 2005.

Roberts, who was married twice, is survived by her son, daughter-in-law Jane, and three grandchildren, Kelsey, Andrew and Devon.

"Truly the end of an era," said Heaton in a statement. "My wonderful TV mother-in-law ... was a consummate professional from whom I learned so much. She was funny and tough and loved life, living it to the fullest."

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