Everybody Loves Raymond star Doris Roberts has died aged 90, her family has said.
Tributes poured in for the actress who played the meddlesome mother to Ray Romano’s character on the long-running US sitcom.
Doris’s son Michael Cannata confirmed she had died overnight in her sleep in Los Angeles, her spokeswoman Janet Daily said. The cause of death has not been revealed.
Cast members from Everybody Loves Raymond at the 2005 Emmy Awards (Mark J. Terrill/AP)
In a statement published by a number of news outlets, Doris’s former co-star Ray said: “Doris Roberts had an energy and a spirit that amazed me.
“She never stopped. 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.”
Tributes poured on to social media, including a touching message from her Everybody Loves Raymond co-star Patricia Heaton.
To my beloved Marie – RIP. pic.twitter.com/TtZCySQnLK
— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) April 18, 2016
#DorisRoberts you were one of the funniest people to work with, you lived life to the fullest in NZ. We will miss u pic.twitter.com/34N8PbbQlB
— AshleyTisdaleFrench (@ashleytisdale) April 19, 2016
Doris Roberts made me laugh so hard so many times. #everybodylovesmarie
— Denis Leary (@denisleary) April 19, 2016
Everybody loved you! RIP Doris Roberts pic.twitter.com/7L0MugORwP
— Jeff Dwoskin (@bigmacher) April 19, 2016
Doris was one of the most highly respected TV and film actors in the US. She won five Emmy Awards for roles in programmes including St Elsewhere and Remington Steele.
