About
"What I used as an actor when I played Robert is that Ray's an only child and they forgot to tell Robert."
In his two-hour interview, Brad Garrett discusses his early comedy influences and breaking into stand-up comedy as a teenager. He talks about his first appearance on television on Norm Crosby's Comedy Shop and his contest-winning turn on Star Search. He describes two short-lived sitcoms on which he appeared before landing the role for which he is most known, that of "Robert Barone" on Everybody Loves Raymond. He speaks in detail about the show's nine-season run -- describing his character, commenting on the ensemble cast and series creator Phil Rosenthal, and recalling favorite episodes. Garrett also discusses his next sitcom success, playing twenty-years-married "Eddie Stark" on 'Til Death -- a series on which he was also a producer. He speaks of playing comic icon Jackie Gleason in the 2002 made-for-television movie Gleason, and touches on then-current projects including voicing "Gusteau" in Pixar's Ratatouille. Gary Rutkowski conducted the interview on April 26, 2007 in Malibu, CA.
Highlights
Brad Garrett on where "Robert Barone" fit in the family on Everybody Loves Raymond
Brad Garrett on the relationship between "Robert" and "Ray" on Everybody Loves Raymond
Brad Garrett on "Robert Barone's" voice and his chin touching on Everybody Loves Raymond
Brad Garrett on working with a studio audience
Brad Garrett on his character "Eddie Stark" on 'Til Death
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood and early influences; on the humor in his household growing up; on being drawn to comedy
On his start in stand-up; on his early stand-up act; on comics he admired; on contemporary comedians; on opening for Sammy Davis, Jr. and Frank Sinatra
On his first television appearances; on appearing on Star Search; on opening for Crystal Gayle; on additional TV appearances; on getting into voiceover work
Chapter 2
On changing his name; on sitcoms before Everybody Loves Raymond - First Impressions, Seinfeld, and The Pursuit of Happiness
On getting cast on Everybody Loves Raymond; on the show's title, his character "Robert Barone" and a typical production week; on "Robert's" character development over the course of the show's 9 seasons; on the relationship between "Robert" and "Ray"
On working with Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle; on showrunner Phil Rosenthal and working with various directors; on storylines drawn from real life; on working with a studio audience
Chapter 3
On big laughs on Everybody Loves Raymond; on his favorite "Robert" episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond
On working with Patricia Heaton and Monica Horan; on the cast of Everybody Loves Raymond being in New York during 9/11
On winning Emmys for Everybody Loves Raymond; on his salary dispute with the show; on shooting the final episode of Everybody Loves Raymond; on "Robert Barone's" voice and his chin touching
Chapter 4
On playing Jackie Gleason in the TV movie Gleason; on the possibility of a spinoff for "Robert Barone" from Everybody Loves Raymond; on his character "Eddie Stark" on 'Til Death; on a typical work week on 'Til Death
On his catchphrase on 'Til Death; on his favorite episodes of the show; on advice to aspiring actors; on then-current projects
Shows
'Til Death
Brad Garrett on his character "Eddie Stark" on 'Til Death; on a typical work week and his favorite episodes; on promoting the show on American Idol
American Idol
Brad Garrett on promoting 'Til Death on American Idol
Everybody Loves Raymond
Brad Garrett on getting cast in Everybody Loves Raymond
Brad Garrett on the title of Everybody Loves Raymond, Ray Romano, "Robert Barone", a typical production week, and family relationships on the show
Brad Garrett on great moments on Everybody Loves Raymond - "The Sculptor"
Brad Garrett on his favorite "Robert" episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond; on "The Ride Along" episode and running from a bull in an episode
Brad Garrett on his co-stars on Everybody Loves Raymond
Brad Garrett on shooting the final episode of Everybody Loves Raymond
Brad Garrett on the possibility of a spinoff for "Robert Barone" from Everybody Loves Raymond
First Impressions
Brad Garrett on the sitcom First Impressions
Gleason
Brad Garrett on playing Jackie Gleason in the TV movie Gleason
Norm Crosby's The Comedy Shop
Brad Garrett on appearing on Norm Crosby's The Comedy Shop
Pursuit of Happiness, The
Brad Garrett on playing a gay lawyer on The Pursuit of Happiness
Seinfeld
Brad Garrett on appearing on Seinfeld
Star Search
Brad Garrett on appearing on Star Search
Brad Garrett on promoting 'Til Death on American Idol and being reminded of his Star Search days
Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The
Brad Garrett on appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson
Topics
9/11
Brad Garrett on the cast of Everybody Loves Raymond being in NY during 9/11
Bloopers
Brad Garrett on outtakes from Everybody Loves Raymond
Characters & Catchphrases
Brad Garrett on getting cast as "Robert Barone" in Everybody Loves Raymond
Brad Garrett on where "Robert Barone" fit in the family on Everybody Loves Raymond
Brad Garrett on "Robert Barone's" character development over the course of Everybody Loves Raymond's 9 seasons; on the relationship between "Robert" and "Ray"
Brad Garrett on "Robert Barone's" voice and chin touching on Everybody Loves Raymond
Brad Garrett on his character "Eddie Stark" on 'Til Death
Emmy Awards
Brad Garrett on winning Emmys for Everybody Loves Raymond
LGBTQIA+
Brad Garrett on playing a gay lawyer on The Pursuit of Happiness
Professions
Comedian
Brad Garrett on his start in stand-up
Genres
Comedy Series
Brad Garrett on his character "Robert Barone" and production on Everybody Loves Raymond
Brad Garrett on specific episodes, castmates, and his character on Everybody Loves Raymond
Brad Garrett on his character "Eddie Stark" on 'Til Death; on a typical work week and his favorite episodes; on promoting the show on American Idol
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Brad Garrett on playing Jackie Gleason in the TV movie Gleason
People
Andy Ackerman
Brad Garrett on working with directors Gary Halverson, Andy Ackerman and Will Mackenzie
Woody Allen
Brad Garrett on admiring Woody Allen
Bob Barker
Brad Garrett on a special award Phil Rosenthal arranged for him
Peter Boyle
Brad Garrett on working with Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle
Johnny Carson
Brad Garrett on appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson
Jack Carter
Brad Garrett on appearing on Norm Crosby's Comedy Shop
Norm Crosby with Emerson College
Brad Garrett on appearing on Norm Crosby's Comedy Shop
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Brad Garrett on opening for Sammy Davis, Jr. and Frank Sinatra
Joely Fisher
Brad Garrett on Joely Fisher, his co-star on 'Til Death
Crystal Gayle
Brad Garrett on opening for Crystal Gayle
Jackie Gleason
Brad Garrett on playing Jackie Gleason in the TV movie Gleason
Virginia Graham
Brad Garrett on watching Virginia Graham as a child
Gary Halvorson
Brad Garrett on working with directors Gary Halverson, Andy Ackerman and Will Mackenzie
Patricia Heaton
Brad Garrett on working with Patricia Heaton on Everybody Loves Raymond
Monica Horan
Brad Garrett on working with Monica Horan on Everybody Loves Raymond
Will Mackenzie
Brad Garrett on working with directors Gary Halverson, Andy Ackerman and Will Mackenzie
Steve Martin
Brad Garrett on admiring Steve Martin and Robin Williams
Ed McMahon
Brad Garrett on appearing on Star Search
Brad Garrett on appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson
Leslie Moonves
Brad Garrett on playing Jackie Gleason in the TV movie Gleason
Don Rickles
Brad Garrett on admiring Don Rickles as a comedian
Doris Roberts
Brad Garrett on working with Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle
Ray Romano
Brad Garrett on comedy contemporary Ray Romano
Brad Garrett on getting cast as "Robert Barone" in Everybody Loves Raymond
Brad Garrett on the title of Everybody Loves Raymond and Ray Romano
Brad Garrett on working with Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle
Phil Rosenthal
Brad Garrett on working with Phil Rosenthal
Brad Garrett on a special award Phil Rosenthal arranged for him
Jerry Seinfeld
Brad Garrett on comedy contemporary Jerry Seinfeld
Frank Sinatra
Brad Garrett on opening for Sammy Davis, Jr. and Frank Sinatra
Jimmie Walker
Brad Garrett on his start in stand-up and impersonating Jimmie Walker
Robin Williams
Brad Garrett on admiring Steve Martin and Robin Williams