Brad Garrett

Actor

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

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.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"What I used as an actor when I played Robert is that Ray's an only child and they forgot to tell Robert."

People Talking About ...

Highlights

Brad Garrett on where "Robert Barone" fit in the family on Everybody Loves Raymond

01:59

Brad Garrett on the relationship between "Robert" and "Ray" on Everybody Loves Raymond

01:32

Brad Garrett on "Robert Barone's" voice and his chin touching on Everybody Loves Raymond

02:01

Brad Garrett on working with a studio audience

00:42

Brad Garrett on his character "Eddie Stark" on 'Til Death

03:22

Full Interview

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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

10:24

American Idol

Brad Garrett on promoting 'Til Death on American Idol

01:13

Everybody Loves Raymond

Brad Garrett on getting cast in Everybody Loves Raymond

03:10

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"

00:45

Brad Garrett on his favorite "Robert" episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond; on "The Ride Along" episode and running from a bull in an episode

07:53

Brad Garrett on his co-stars on Everybody Loves Raymond

03:10

Brad Garrett on shooting the final episode of Everybody Loves Raymond

06:44

Brad Garrett on the possibility of a spinoff for "Robert Barone" from Everybody Loves Raymond

00:34

First Impressions

Brad Garrett on the sitcom First Impressions

01:59

Gleason

Brad Garrett on playing Jackie Gleason in the TV movie Gleason

05:47

Norm Crosby's The Comedy Shop

Brad Garrett on appearing on Norm Crosby's The Comedy Shop

01:33

Pursuit of Happiness, The

Brad Garrett on playing a gay lawyer on The Pursuit of Happiness

01:59

Seinfeld

Brad Garrett on appearing on Seinfeld

00:43

Star Search

Brad Garrett on appearing on Star Search

01:32

Brad Garrett on promoting 'Til Death on American Idol and being reminded of his Star Search days

01:13

Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The

Brad Garrett on appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson

01:13

Topics

9/11

Brad Garrett on the cast of Everybody Loves Raymond being in NY during 9/11

05:24

Bloopers

Brad Garrett on outtakes from Everybody Loves Raymond

01:04

Characters & Catchphrases

Brad Garrett on getting cast as "Robert Barone" in Everybody Loves Raymond

03:10

Brad Garrett on where "Robert Barone" fit in the family on Everybody Loves Raymond

01:59

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"

03:27

Brad Garrett on "Robert Barone's" voice and chin touching on Everybody Loves Raymond

02:01

Brad Garrett on his character "Eddie Stark" on 'Til Death

03:22

Emmy Awards

Brad Garrett on winning Emmys for Everybody Loves Raymond

01:59

LGBTQIA+

Brad Garrett on playing a gay lawyer on The Pursuit of Happiness

01:59

Professions

Comedian

View Profession

Brad Garrett on his start in stand-up

01:52

Genres

Comedy Series

Brad Garrett on his character "Robert Barone" and production on Everybody Loves Raymond

22:18

Brad Garrett on specific episodes, castmates, and his character on Everybody Loves Raymond

27:30

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

10:24

TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

Brad Garrett on playing Jackie Gleason in the TV movie Gleason

05:47

People

Andy Ackerman

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Brad Garrett on working with directors Gary Halverson, Andy Ackerman and Will Mackenzie

01:47

Bob Barker

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Brad Garrett on a special award Phil Rosenthal arranged for him

01:22

Crystal Gayle

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Brad Garrett on opening for Crystal Gayle

00:38

Don Rickles

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Brad Garrett on admiring Don Rickles as a comedian

00:17

Doris Roberts

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Brad Garrett on working with Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle

02:41

Ed McMahon

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Brad Garrett on appearing on Star Search

03:03

Brad Garrett on appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson

00:21

Frank Sinatra

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Brad Garrett on opening for Sammy Davis, Jr. and Frank Sinatra

00:26

Gary Halvorson

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Brad Garrett on working with directors Gary Halverson, Andy Ackerman and Will Mackenzie

01:47

Jack Carter

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Brad Garrett on appearing on Norm Crosby's Comedy Shop

01:33

Jackie Gleason

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Brad Garrett on playing Jackie Gleason in the TV movie Gleason

05:47

Jerry Seinfeld

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Brad Garrett on comedy contemporary Jerry Seinfeld

00:19

Jimmie Walker

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Brad Garrett on his start in stand-up and impersonating Jimmie Walker

01:52

Joely Fisher

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Brad Garrett on Joely Fisher, his co-star on 'Til Death

03:22

Johnny Carson

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Brad Garrett on appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson

01:13

Leslie Moonves

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Brad Garrett on playing Jackie Gleason in the TV movie Gleason

06:21

Monica Horan

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Brad Garrett on working with Monica Horan on Everybody Loves Raymond

01:48

Norm Crosby

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Brad Garrett on appearing on Norm Crosby's Comedy Shop

01:33

Patricia Heaton

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Brad Garrett on working with Patricia Heaton on Everybody Loves Raymond

01:22

Peter Boyle

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Brad Garrett on working with Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle

02:41

Phil Rosenthal

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Brad Garrett on working with Phil Rosenthal

01:43

Brad Garrett on a special award Phil Rosenthal arranged for him

01:22

Ray Romano

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Brad Garrett on comedy contemporary Ray Romano

00:34

Brad Garrett on getting cast as "Robert Barone" in Everybody Loves Raymond

03:10

Brad Garrett on the title of Everybody Loves Raymond and Ray Romano

01:41

Brad Garrett on working with Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle

02:41

Robin Williams

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Brad Garrett on admiring Steve Martin and Robin Williams

00:18

Sammy Davis, Jr.

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Brad Garrett on opening for Sammy Davis, Jr. and Frank Sinatra

00:26

Steve Martin

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Brad Garrett on admiring Steve Martin and Robin Williams

00:12

Virginia Graham

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Brad Garrett on watching Virginia Graham as a child

00:35

Will Mackenzie

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Brad Garrett on working with directors Gary Halverson, Andy Ackerman and Will Mackenzie

01:47

Woody Allen

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Brad Garrett on admiring Woody Allen

00:19