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He seemed to always play the curmudgeon, though he was anything but. Peter Boyle, who died last night here in New York City at age 71, was not only a marvelous character actor - he was also my uncle. The acting genes run deep in my family - my mother, Peter's sister, is a tremendously talented stage actress who's still juggling roles at 78. Philadelphians of a certain age might recall my grandfather, who hosted a local children's TV show as "Chuckwagon Pete" in the very early days of television and worked with Ernie Kovacs. His eldest daughter, Lucy, is already an accomplished actress and playwright.
But it was Uncle Pete who had the highest profile career, one he came by somewhat by chance after briefly considering a monastic life with the Christian Brothers. The first movie I remember him in was Joe, a 1970 film in which he played a bigoted, Archie Bunker type without the charm. I don't really remember the movie, since I was five and it was deemed unsuitable for impressionable eyes.
In the film, Pete's character is filled with virulent hatred for hippies and antiwar protesters and I remember him telling us how unnerved he was by people coming up to him, imagining he was like the character he played, cheering him on. In fact, Uncle Pete loathed violence and intolerance. He turned down the Gene Hackman role in The French Connection because he felt it glamorized violence and would typecast him as some kind of thug. Given what the part did for Hackman, he might have made a different choice if he had it to do over, but he was nothing if not a man of principle.
He seemed to specialize in playing against his type - urbane, kind, cultured - the green-painted, zipper-necked monster in Young Frankenstein, Billy Bob Thornton's repellent father in Monster's Ball, and Ray Romano's cranky father in Everybody Loves Raymond. It amused our family no end to see how much people associated him with the character he played - Uncle Pete was the last person I could imagine in a BarcaLounger with the top button on his pants undone, declaiming "Holy crap!" to all and sundry. He was that good an actor. But he was an even better uncle.
I remember visits to movie sets as a child, being invited into his world as an honored guest. But I also remember smaller gestures that in retrospect seem much bigger - like being 7 or 8 years old, and having a meltdown about something at a family gathering. Uncle Pete left the party and sat with me for an hour, consoling me about whatever it was that was bothering me, making me think I was the only one that mattered. Which, to your average kid, is huge. You just want to matter. And you want people to notice. Uncle Pete noticed. And more than anything, that's why I'll miss him.
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Everybody Loved Uncle Pete: Peter Boyle always played the curmudgeon, though he was anything but. His niece, an NBC news producer, pays tribute to the urbane, kind, cultured character actor, who died yesterday.(The Daily Nightly)...
Posted on Dec 14, 2006 8:30:30 AM at: Pajamas Media
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Of course, most of us dont know him personally, as an actor he was great. He was a major part of what made the show so funny and successful.
(Sent Dec 14, 2006 3:17:03 PM)
I love Raymond and will still watch it, only now I will be reminded to "number our days" every time I see Frank. May God bless.
Randy Sandberg, Moses Lake, Washington (Sent Dec 14, 2006 3:01:59 PM)
Thank you Peter, for putting smile on our faces every night! Everybody loves you just like everybody loves Raymond. Good night! God bless!
Farzam Bayat, Mobile, Alabama (Sent Dec 14, 2006 2:33:59 PM)
Clare, Condolences to you and your entire family. Peter was one of the funniest men on the face of the earth. I watched Everybody loves Raymond all the time, and he was just wonderful. He will really be missed. He was one of the few really good men left.
deb (Sent Dec 14, 2006 2:15:26 PM)
Peter Boyle was truly a gift to all of us. His speechless expressions in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN will always be cherished and remembered.
He and his family will be in our prayers.
Buddy Massicot, New Orleans, LA. (Sent Dec 14, 2006 2:10:36 PM)
OHH My God is a big lost,, we will miss him so much,,hes in a better place,,Sincerely , The Muniz FAm from PA.
(Sent Dec 14, 2006 1:19:45 PM)
Clare, you spoke of the time when Uncle Pete sat with you and talked about what was important to you. He cared and it mattered to you. Yes he was a great actor, but when he gave you time, he was not acting, he was being a great human being. Cherish those thoughts forever, it is a peice of him that you have and is a treasure. My prayers to the family, God Bless.
Hector Sandoval, Springtown, TX (Sent Dec 14, 2006 12:26:56 PM)
My condolences and prayers go out to the Boyle family. We have lost an icon and I was moved to tears to hear of his passing. My entire family is a fan of Frank Barone and my youngest son is constantly exclaiming "Holy Crap!" He will be greatly missed.
(Sent Dec 14, 2006 12:13:19 PM)
Dear Clare, Your uncle Pete was an absolute favorite of mine & my wife. We are so sorry for your loss. We feel it was our loss also. He was with us every weeknight on Raymond. He will be sorely missed. It's obvious that he made a differnce here on earth. He was an everyman type of actor, much like Jimmy Stewart. Cherish your memories, those you get to keep forever.
God Bless,
(Sent Dec 14, 2006 11:54:23 AM)
Peter Boyle, You will be truly missed.
You have made so many people laugh in 'Everybody Loves Raymond' I can't believe your gone forever, but I will always remember you as the funny Frank. Also you have become an idol for many people over the years.
RIP Boyle xx
Rachael England (Sent Dec 14, 2006 11:43:01 AM)
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. My boys and I watch Everybody Loves Raymond every night. I never get tired of watching the Barone family and Frank was my favorite. I know he will truly be missed by all who watched and loved him.
Kim Jackson (Sent Dec 14, 2006 11:40:33 AM)
Wow I will always remember him!
(Sent Dec 14, 2006 11:20:17 AM)
Clare: Thank you for the memories. The thing that impressed me the most about your uncle on "Everybody Loves Raymond" was how effortlessly he seemed to portray Frank Barone, which to me illustrated how good he was as an actor. He will be missed by people both in and out of the world of show business. God bless.
Ray, Peru, IN
Ray, Peru, IN (Sent Dec 14, 2006 11:17:53 AM)
Your uncle enriched the lives of millions of people with his talents and ability! How could anyone else have done "putting on the ritz" as frankenstein!? He made that movie a classic! We will join you in mourning his loss, as we have all lost an "uncle" too.
(Sent Dec 14, 2006 11:16:59 AM)
May television's FUNNIEST guy rest in peace. He brought many, many laughs into our home with his portrayal of Frank Barone. My sympathies go out to his family during this sad time.
Sharon H. in Georgia (Sent Dec 14, 2006 10:50:26 AM)
Holy Crap! He's up ther now Puttin' on the Ritz!
Helluva actor! R.I.P.!
Rhino Waynesboro,Pa (Sent Dec 14, 2006 10:46:30 AM)
How ironic that Peter Boyle died from multple myeloma. Back in 2002, my sister was diagnosed with this disease, and went thru a stem cell transplant. I was one of her care givers at that time. I would hear her at night, very ill, very weak, finding a bit of a bright spot being able to laugh watching ELR. I became hooked on the show at that time. Mary has relapsed disease now, and she and I will both laugh and cry for it is with laughter that you get through the darkness of disease, but there will always be a saddness that it took the life of this wonderful actor.
Anne Piotrowicz, Erie PA (Sent Dec 14, 2006 10:45:38 AM)
Holy Crap! There must be some awfully happy angels up in heaven with that enormous Schwangstucker headed their way ;)
Peter, thank you for making me and my family laugh all of these years.
Randy, San Francisco (Sent Dec 14, 2006 10:24:46 AM)
My Husband and I watch Everybody Loves Raymond virtually every night like clock work. My husband made Frank Barone his idol. He loves the show. We will miss Peter Boyle Tremendously. Our hearts go out to the Family of Peter.
S & S of Neosho,Mo. (Sent Dec 14, 2006 10:17:46 AM)
Hello Clare: I like so many before me that has written will always think of Peter with a hearty chuckle. I was his fan the first time I saw the show. He played a character like the others that of course "reminded" you of "someone" in your family. I just loved his facial expressions and many, many funny lines he said on the show Every Loves Raymond. What a dynamite bunch of actors for that show and I am sure Peter enjoyed every minute of it!! I will send you my prayers as well as to his family. Here was a man who "definately" left his mark on the "world". We love you Peter!!! ONE of your greatest fans!! SIMCOE, ONTARIO, CANADA
(Sent Dec 14, 2006 10:15:10 AM)
What a wonderful actor and human being. I saw him in "Joe" and was mesmerized by his performance. Unforgettable. Too bad he never took the French Connection. What a performance he would have given. Goodbye Peter, and thanks for everything.
Jeff Share, Houston, TX (Sent Dec 14, 2006 10:10:23 AM)
I will think of him with love in my heart with every re-run that I see. God Bless your families at this time.
Lawton, Oklahoma (Sent Dec 14, 2006 10:02:50 AM)
To the Boyle family:
If someome asked me to think of the one movie scene above all others that still makes me laugh insanely in public when I recall it after 30 years, it would have to be your uncle as the "Monster" and his facial expressions in the blind old man scene with Gene Hackman - Ooper Dooper to you Mr. Boyle, rest in peace and thank you.
(Sent Dec 14, 2006 9:59:03 AM)
My condolences to you and your family for your loss. It is a blessing you had such a wonderful uncle - I'm young but I too have watched his wonderful acting on Raymond. It's refreshing to know that good-hearted, decent people still inhabit this planet!
(Sent Dec 14, 2006 9:51:25 AM)
To the family of Peter Boyle, he will be sorely missed he was a wonderful person and actor. We loved him in Young Frankenstein and Raymond. Our prayers are with you all, may god keep you in his care.
(Sent Dec 14, 2006 9:50:46 AM)
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