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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
Breaking news
One thing about Peter Boyle to me is that you could see that he was a kind man despite all the rantings on Raymond. To me this is what made him so funny because you understood he was having a good time playing this character. My family will miss him: "puttin on the ritz"
Shawn, Shawnee, OK (Sent Dec 14, 2006 9:50:21 AM)
Mac, Macon, GA
To Mrs. Boyle and daughters, Peter Boyle will truly be missed by everyone ... especially to me. I am such a fan of Everybody Loves Raymond. Peter Boyle as Frank was the same as Carroll O'Connor as Archie Banker ... but in a different type role. Spoke his feelings ... and I would howl with laugther everytime. He brought to every household 30 minutes of laughter every week ... now every night with reruns and it makes all better for having known Peter Boyle. I feel I have lost a dear, dear friend. My deepest sympathies to the family.
(Sent Dec 14, 2006 9:45:14 AM)
My thoughts go out to all of your family. A few years ago I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and was laid up in bed for months. That's when I became a fan of "Everyone Loves Raymond" and Uncle Pete is the best character on that show!!!
I also loved "Young Frankenstein" and "The Dream Team" and will remember him for his droll insurance agent in the X-Files.
The fact that he made and continue to make so many of us laugh is as high a tribute you can give to a person.
Ben, VT (Sent Dec 14, 2006 9:41:58 AM)
My 13 year old son just recently watched Young Frankenstein for the first time. He was amazed with Peter Boyle's "monster." He has seen him a thousand times on Raymond and laughs each time Peter bursts into "holy crap," but this was different. Seeing him many years before Raymond was like a breath of fresh air to him. When my son learned that he had died, I could alomost see a tear form in those "big guy teenage eyes." Clare, your uncle was able to touch many lives in his life, including a young teenaged boy who thinks the world of him. He wants to be an actor like Peter and I hope that he can make it. He will be missed by all he knowingly touched, and those he didn't know he touched, like my son. My deepest sympathies to you and your family, and to the NBC family as well. Mike
Mike, Ewing, NJ (Sent Dec 14, 2006 9:17:10 AM)
How time flies. I met Peter Boyle when he was app 15 yrs old in downtown Phila at the movies. He was with his father, Uncle Pete Boyle. Uncle Pete was a television personality in the fifties and sixties in Phila. I was 6 yrs old and I went up to say hello to Uncle Pete who I watched on TV and he introduced me to his son Peter. I always remembered the encounter.
Little did I know then that Peter would grow up to be such a wonderful person. We'll all miss Peter and his Dad.
Arthur F Kelly (Sent Dec 14, 2006 9:15:44 AM)
Wait! I was going to make espresso!
A great movie, Young Frankenstein. I have become a Raymond fasn in reruns, and enjoyed Frank. God bless you, Peter Boyle- you'll be missed...
Mark Yunt, Ambridge, PA (Sent Dec 14, 2006 9:15:33 AM)
To Clare and the Boyle Family, Peter Boyle gave us a chance to escape from the world around us and for a brief time a chance to laugh not only at the Raymond characters, but to laugh and remember the things that take place in families, the characters and the memories of our own. I always looked forward to the Raymond program and always sit down to watch the replays. Your Uncle gave us humor in our lives and will be missed.
Art Birkenmeier, St. Louis, Missouri (Sent Dec 14, 2006 9:11:34 AM)
To Clare and your family, your uncle Pete will be missed by millions of people who watched the Raymond show. We have all the DVD series of Everybody Loves Raymond. And he made people laugh. Your uncle was unique in portaying "Frank". You can relate to that character because in a lot of ways there are alot of Franks in this world. Once again we lose another great actor, our prayers are with your.
Richard Milton (Sent Dec 14, 2006 9:05:59 AM)
Clare
I don't believe I can ever watch "Everybody Loves Raymond" again with the same joy and laughter I once did. He will be missed.
Randy Sandberg, Moses Lake, Washington (Sent Dec 14, 2006 9:04:26 AM)
Boyle was friends with John Lennon, who was the best man at Boyle's 1977 wedding to Lorraine Alterman, with whom he had two daughters, Lucy and Amy. Boyle met Lennon through his wife, a reporter for Rolling Stone who was friends with Yoko Ono.[2]
(Sent Dec 14, 2006 9:03:22 AM)
Holy crap!
I'm going to miss you Pete! He was the star of the show. He really gave me a good laugh when I needed it. I'm a serious "Everybody Loves Raymond" re-run fan. I think I've seen every episode at least 20 times.
My thoughts to his wife and children. He was a great actor! I will keep him in my prayers. The best to you...
(Sent Dec 14, 2006 9:01:53 AM)
You will be missed Peter. We were a fan of yours since seeing you in "Young Frankenstein" Your memory will live on in "Everybody loves Raymond". God bless your family.
Karen Arola. Fort McMurray, Alberta (Sent Dec 14, 2006 9:01:00 AM)
Clare .... My deepest sympathies to you and your family. What an incredible talent. You have lost a loved family member, the world has lost a friend. My first....and still to this day....favority Peter Boyle line....one that describes him perfectly......"Ooper Dooper!"
Sue Balfe, Rye Brook, NY (Sent Dec 14, 2006 8:59:27 AM)
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the Boyle family. Raymond is one of the only shows I watch and I have the complete collection on DVD. I was drawn to this show because of Peter and after watching him on Raymond every night, he became a part of my family. I will miss him so much.
Kris, Syracuse NY (Sent Dec 14, 2006 8:53:45 AM)
To your entire Family, my deepest condolences. He always brightened my day and could be relied upon for a good laugh. Please know he will be missed. How wonderful to be loved the way he will continue to be by you and your family. His legacy lives on. Warmest regards.
Patricia Rushing, SPringfiled, IL (Sent Dec 14, 2006 8:52:38 AM)
To Clare and Family,
You were blessed to be able to call him Uncle Pete. The world was a better place while your Uncle was amongst us. He made us laugh at and with Frank Barone. What greater legacy can someone leave behind? The only thing I can say is "Holy Crap", what are we going to do without him in our lives?
Gerry Scheil, West Milford, NJ (Sent Dec 14, 2006 8:52:35 AM)
I was so sad to hear that he had passed away. Peter Boyle was a very good actor, but most of all he was a better human being. I have the chance to watch your uncle on two diff T.V. stations at the same time (Fox & TBS). He can always bring a smile to my lips every time I hear him say "Holy crap" Your account of how he toke the time to make sure you were alright, sounds so unlike Frank, but we all know that was just one character he played. My thoughts and prayers are with all your family at this time. My God Bless you all and stay strong.
Bernadette rafferty, Waco, Texas (Sent Dec 14, 2006 8:52:31 AM)
Condolences to the Boyle Family. Life does not end, it merely changes. We Sisters, prayed for Peter and his family at evening/morning prayers. The entertainment world was a better place because of him. Rest in peace, Peter.
Sister Mary NN,Cleveland,ohio (Sent Dec 14, 2006 8:47:19 AM)
To Clare and the Duffy/Boyle family: My condolences on the passing of such a wonderful, humane person. Are funeral arrangements posted anywhere?
Philip Stern, New Providence, NJ (formerly of Hingham, MA) (Sent Dec 14, 2006 8:27:44 AM)
I'm sorry to hear about Mr. Peter Boyle...He is so blessed person...I love to watch Everybody loves Raymond...He is sorely missed....May God Bless Mrs. Boyle and family and watch over them....I enclosed the poem of My First Christmas....
My First Christmas In Heaven
I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
With tiny lights, like Heaven’s stars, reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular! Please wipe away that tear,
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,
But the sounds of music can’t compare with the Christmas
Choir up here. I have no words to tell you the joy their voices
Bring, for it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me. I see the pain inside your
Heart, even though I am so far away, we really aren’t apart.
So, be happy for me, loved ones. You know I hold you dear.
Be glad I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I send you each a special gift from my heavenly home above.
I send you each a memory of my undying love. After all,
“ Love “ is the gift more precious than gold. It was always
Most important in the stories Jesus told.
Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do, for
I can’t count the blessings or the love He has for you.
So, have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear!
Remember, I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
(Sent Dec 14, 2006 8:25:41 AM)
How fortunate we all are to have been able to watch his memorable performances over the years. How wonderful it must be for his family to still be able to see & hear him even now. How fulfilling his life must have been not only professionally but personally. How blessed the world has been that Peter Boyle was a part of it.
Rob & Leslie Polasek Coral Springs Fl (Sent Dec 14, 2006 8:25:38 AM)
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. The world has lost one of its greatest actor, comedian. He will be dearly missed.
(Sent Dec 14, 2006 8:17:40 AM)
When I heard of the passing of Peter Boyle I felt so sad. I watch the re-runs everynite. No matter how bad a day I had Frank Borone made me laugh. I will miss him.
God Bless.
John Hardiman, Stratham, N.H. (Sent Dec 14, 2006 8:08:04 AM)
To the Peter Boyle Family: Our deepest sympathies and condolences for your loss of Uncle Peter. My 5 yr. old grandson came downstairs all upset at the news of his passing. His 7 yr old brother and all of my family just love to watch ELR and sure loved his "Holy Crap"!!! What a wonderful actor and human being.
D Prescott Windsor Ontario Canada.
(Sent Dec 14, 2006 8:06:41 AM)
Loved him in Johnny Dangerously. Anyone know he was in that movie???? Great stuff.
Chris, W. Lafayette, IN (Sent Dec 14, 2006 8:06:39 AM)
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