Monday, December 20, 2010

Everybody loves ... Doris Roberts


When I interviewed Doris Roberts in May 1992, “Everybody Loves Raymond” wasn’t yet a factor in either her life of her career. It would be four more years before the role of a lifetime that came to define (or refine) both her life and career would find its way to her.

Up to that point, Doris was the definition of a “working actor.” With a career built on first theatre, then television roles, Doris gained a regular audience of television fans from her role as Mildred Krebs on the series “Remington Steele,” in 1983 (the series ran from 1982 – 1987), starring a pre-James Bond Pierce Brosnan.

As that series was released in syndication around the globe, Doris enjoyed a level of international fame she never knew even from years and years in theatre playing to sold-out houses.

It changed her life. But her life would change again as she earned added fan and industry recognition (and five Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series) for “Everybody Loves Raymond,” as Ray’s know-it-all mother, Marie Barone.

In 1992, Doris joined me for a chat about her life, her choices, her challenges and her career. The success of “Raymond” that we all know about now, but that was still ahead of her then, gives added meaning to her words and her perspective.


We have just added that interview to our RerunIt.com collection.


BL

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice one. Good snippets. Love it!

Also, where did you and Howard get your hair done?!

Brad Lemack said...

Thanks for your comment, Kevin. As for "the hair," it was 1992 and whoever it was who didn't make me cut it all off back then should be fined by the cosmetology board. :) Really, looking back on it today, it's a big cringe factor. But, I love what Doris (and the other folks included in the RerunIt.com collection library) had to say about their lives and careers, which trumps my hair dilemma. So, let it serve as a (bad) sign of the times. BL

lindsey said...

I love the TV show "Everybody Loves Raymond" (because I can relate to it) and I'll bet that in real life Ray Romano is a wonderful, loyal husband and confident adult.
Theatre and Stageplay