Everybody Loves Raymond’ Cast Remembers Sawyer Sweeten: ‘We Miss Him
The cast of “Everybody Loves Raymond” reunited for a special 30th anniversary event, reflecting on their time on the iconic sitcom and remembering their late co-star, Sawyer Sweeten who died by suicide in 2015. The special aired on CBS on November 24 and is also available on Paramount+.
The show, which ran from 1996 to 2005, followed Ray Barone (Ray Romano) and his family, including his wife Debra (Patricia Heaton), their children, Ray’s brother Robert (Brad Garrett), and their parents, Marie (Doris Roberts) and Frank (Peter Boyle). The roles of Ray’s children were played by real-life siblings Sawyer, Sullivan, and Madylin Sweeten.
During the reunion, the surviving cast members shared memories and celebrated the positive energy Sawyer brought to the set. Sullivan Sweeten, Sawyer’s identical twin, recalled, “I’ve got plenty of good memories of playing tag in the bleachers and the prop room. And he, just like you are, was this bright energy.”
Madylin Sweeten emphasized the importance of raising awareness about mental health. “We’re very passionate in our family about suicide prevention. It is the second leading cause of death between ages 18 to 25. But 90 percent of people who seek treatment are cured,” she said.
Romano also spoke about the impact of Sawyer’s presence, noting, “So Sawyer, of course, is no longer with us, and we miss him.” Heaton highlighted the family’s work with the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, and Madylin added, “We do t-shirts every year, and all of the proceeds go there.”
The reunion offered a heartfelt look back at the show and the relationships that formed during its run. A photo of Sawyer was displayed during the special with the caption, “In loving memory of Sawyer Sweeten, 1995-2015.”
“Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion” serves as a reminder of the cast’s bond and the joy the show brought to viewers. It airs on CBS and streams on Paramount+.
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