Nearly two decades after Peter Boyle died in 2006, the Everybody Loves Raymond family reunited on CBS this week — and what was billed as a lighthearted celebration quickly transformed into something deeper. The 30th anniversary special was filled with laughter, nostalgia, and cast chemistry that felt frozen in time. But it also carried a somber weight, as the stars paid tribute not only to Boyle and the late Doris Roberts, but also to a third loss many viewers may have forgotten: Sawyer Sweeten, who died by suicide in 2015 at just 19.
Boyle and Roberts — who embodied the indelible Frank and Marie Barone — were the show’s comedic anchors, and their absence was palpable. But it was Sawyer’s memory that added a raw and intimate layer to the night. Sawyer and his twin brother, Sullivan Sweeten, joined the sitcom as babies, with their older sister Madylin rounding out the on-screen Barone children. The siblings grew up in front of millions of viewers, their real-life bond infusing the show’s family scenes with authenticity.
During the reunion, Sullivan reflected on how deeply those early years shaped him. “I carried that experience through my whole life,” he said, noting that he tries to bring the show’s trademark humor with him wherever he goes. Madylin, sitting beside him, nodded knowingly as they revisited stories from their childhood spent on set.
The most emotional moment came when Ray Romano gently interrupted a conversation about favorite episodes. As the cast reminisced, Romano paused, looked toward the siblings, and asked softly, “Can we mention…” Before he could finish, Madylin stepped in: “Sawyer? Yes.”
Romano’s voice wavered as he spoke of the boy he once acted alongside. “Sawyer… he’s not with us anymore,” he said, according to the special. “We miss him. He was just this bright energy — a light.” It was a rare moment of visible vulnerability from the usually unflappable comedian.
Sullivan, now 29, echoed the sentiment. “None of us expected what happened,” he said, recalling the shock that rippled through both their family and the show’s fans. But he emphasized that the set of Everybody Loves Raymond remains one of his most cherished memories with his brother: “I think about the good moments, and a lot of those were here.”
Rather than shy away from the tragedy, the Sweeten siblings used the moment to advocate for mental-health awareness. Madylin, who has been open about her own journey through grief and recovery, reminded viewers of the staggering statistics surrounding youth suicide. “It’s the second-leading cause of death between the ages of 18 to 25,” she said, adding that “90 percent of people who seek treatment are cured.”
Their family now works closely with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, channeling their grief into action. They also create annual “Sawyer” shirts, with all proceeds donated to suicide-prevention programs — a project they say helps keep their brother’s spirit alive.
As the cast shared memories of filming their favorite episodes — Sullivan chose the series finale for its “happy ending,” while Madylin praised the fan-favorite “Marie’s Sculpture” — their reflections underscored why the show has endured. Creator Phil Rosenthal has long said he designed Raymond to be timeless by focusing on universal experiences rather than political punchlines, telling Fox News Digital that he intentionally avoided topical jokes in favor of stories about family friction, marriage, and connection.
Those themes were unmistakable throughout the reunion. What emerged was more than a nostalgic retrospective; it became a portrait of a TV family bound not just by a decade of work, but by shared grief and ongoing love.
In remembering Boyle, Roberts, and Sawyer, the cast reminded viewers of something simple yet profound: even long after the cameras stop rolling, the people who make us laugh can also teach us how to hold on to one another — and how to look out for those who may be struggling in silence.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental-health crisis, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for 24/7 confidential support.
