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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
Clare,
My prayers go out to you and your family. Your uncle was loved by many of us over the years. Both as the Frankenstein monster and then as Ray Romano's father on the series. He was a wonderful actor and he will be missed by many.
Paul, Atlanta, GA (Sent Dec 14, 2006 7:52:41 AM)
I was so sad to hear the news of his death. My husband and I were huge fans of the X-Files. Peter played an insurance salesman. He was the funniest thing I had ever seen. His humor was so dry. Whenever there is a rerun on I always look to see if its the episode(s) with him in them. God Bless your family.
Jill, Cincinnati, Ohio (Sent Dec 14, 2006 7:40:53 AM)
My wife and I watched "Everyone Loves Raymond" every night sometimes two times a night. He made us laugh and that's a great legacy.
Dale Conkel, Arlington, TX (Sent Dec 14, 2006 7:16:22 AM)
When I went online to MSNBC.com and found that "Everybody Loves Raymond" co-star Peter Boyle had passed away, the first thing I thought to myself was "Holy Crap". Peter Boyle among the rest of the "Raymond" cast always made me laugh with every episode. Peter Boyle, and his funny humor, will sadly be missed. Fortunately, we still have reruns of "Everybody Loves Raymond" that will keep Peter Boyle's character,Frank Barone,alive.
I will miss you Peter Boyle.
Bob, Rock Rapids, IA (Sent Dec 14, 2006 6:56:56 AM)
Peter Boyle should have gotten an Oscar for his portrayal of the bartender/hitman in the "Friends of Eddie Coyle". This crime drama with Robert Mitchum was one of the few good films taken from the genre of the 1940s and 1950s. Even though Mr. Boyle's performance in "Young Frankenstein" is the one everyone remembers the most, his acting skills were tremendous considering his roles in "Taxi Driver" and "Joe", as well. His talent will be missed by those of us who enjoy great performers as Peter Boyle was.
Russel Yamashita, Honolulu, Hawaii (Sent Dec 14, 2006 6:22:32 AM)
The joy Peter brought to his presentations will be missed immensely. I sincerely wish all his family members my deepest and heartfelt sympathy.
(Sent Dec 14, 2006 5:49:25 AM)
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Peter Boyle was a wonderful actor. He had a way of making you laugh till your sides ached.
Debbie Rigby, Denbeighshire, North Wales (Sent Dec 14, 2006 3:51:05 AM)
If someone asked me what my favorite comedy movie is, I would instantly answer "Young Frankenstein". As for favorite television show, I would imediately say "Everybody Loves Raymond". Your Uncle Pete was a tremendous actor, and he will be genuinely missed.
Brian, Chicago Il. (Sent Dec 14, 2006 3:10:49 AM)
To Clare:
You uncle had a special place in my heart because my father, who I lost a few years ago, introduced me to his humor and we both became huge fans. We use to watch the move "The Dream Team" and laugh and laugh. I only wish my dad could have been around to see Raymond. Peter will be deeply missed. He goes down in history with the great ones!
Nancy, Liberty Lake WA (Sent Dec 14, 2006 3:05:49 AM)
Every time I watched "Everybody Loves Raymond", I always waited with anticipation for what outrageous words would come out of the mouth of Peter Boyle's character. Never failed to crack me up. He was a natural born scene stealer. I also remembered his great performances on that X-file episode and especially "Young Frankenstein". Gonna miss him so much. My sympathies to Claire and her family.
Patrick, Manila, Philippines (Sent Dec 14, 2006 3:04:29 AM)
To Clare and the Boyle Family,
My dad took me to a showing of 'Young Frankenstein' at a 2nd run theater back in 1978...I was 4. I didn't get the majority of the jokes back then, but I remember how much my dad and other audience members laughed. When "Uncle Pete" did the classic Putting on the Ritz bit...again, I didn't understand the context, but his voice made me laugh.
I've seen that movie far too many times to count now (and I'm happy to say I get all the jokes these days :) ). Most of those viewings were with my dad. It's "our" movie.
Mr. Boyle has and will always have a special place in my heart...and wil be missed.
J. Beck, Seattle, WA (Sent Dec 14, 2006 2:24:08 AM)
Clare and the Boyle family....The entertainment world has lost another GIANT. Your Uncle Peter Boyle was a gteat actor. A great actor is one that makes you forget it's "Actor John Smith" portraying a character. Few actors are like that anymore. Peter Boyle WAS "Young Frankenstein", "Joey Gallo", and "Frank Barone". I will miss him, as will everyone who was entertained by him. God Bless You, Peter Boyle and may you Rest in Peace.
Joe R. - Peoria AZ (Sent Dec 14, 2006 1:48:52 AM)
I never met Peter Boyle (except on the movie/TV screen). I've always loved his performance in Young Frankenstein, and of course, in Everyone Loves Raymond. My best wishes to his family and friends and thanks, Peter, for many years of laughs!
(Sent Dec 14, 2006 1:36:23 AM)
TO CLARA AND YOUR FAMIILY AT THIS TIME OF SORROW. GOD SAW YOU GETTING TIREDSO HE CLOSED HIS ARMS AROUND YOU AND WHISPERED COME WITH ME.MAY GOD BE WITH ALL OF YOU IN THIS TIME OF SORROW. YOU ARE ALL IN OUR PRAYERS.
M.L.KEMPER YAKIMA, WASHINGTON (Sent Dec 14, 2006 1:35:21 AM)
I guess the key word to his chacter is intolerence according to his ephathy. At the age of 43 and with 4 children and a single dad , I understand how that can come into place. I am intolerant to meanness, bullying,and to the unrealization of perfection in a moments notice. I tend to lean in Mr Boyle beleifs due to the part of what is correct. But what matters most and the sure joy and memeory of the great peter , is seeing the tears roll down my dads eyes as he watch's "YF" and quotes most ever line in the movie. To those who understand , I salute Mr.Boyle and his maker " Abby Normal". I love you dad and will see you in heaven soon enough. Hold my spot.Richie
richie san antonio ,texas, (Sent Dec 14, 2006 1:24:19 AM)
I too, like all the others that have written their condolences here, have my own Peter Boyle (your Uncle Pete) moment. Mine is with a movie that hasn't even been mentioned in this or any other notice I have read regarding Mr. Boyle's passing.
There was a movie that he did in the 70's that has stuck with me to this day, that my mother and I went to the drive-in to see, possibly it was the "Side B" to the "Side A" movie of the day. It was called "Slither." He starred with James Caan and it was about a couple of ex-cons setting off to find what they thought was the holy grail of treasure that had been stolen and hidden by another ex-con who had been murdered (I think it was Strother Martin). The movie was hilarious at the time, and each time my mother and I would see that it was re-run on TV we would make sure to watch it. Peter Boyle was great, and I will forever remember him for that part, and not the others that most people remember.
My mother is 84 and failing in her mind nowadays and doesn't even remember the movie now, but I will always remember her and moments that we had when it came to that movie.
Please accept my thoughts to you and your family at this time.
Leslie Listy, Seattle, Washington (Sent Dec 14, 2006 1:20:38 AM)
Of all the funny men in TV history, I swear I can only think of one who made me smile every single time he appeared on screen. Peter Boyle as Frank Barone.
Bill Brayton, Peacedale, RI (Sent Dec 14, 2006 1:19:59 AM)
To the Boyle family,
We are saddened to hear of the loss of Peter. May god comfort you in this time of sorrow. He will be missed dearly. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.And also to the cast of Everybody Loves Raymond we are sending our thoughts and prayers to you too for the loss of Peter. Lots of good memories.
Kimberly Friesen, Aurora , Nebraska (Sent Dec 14, 2006 12:59:34 AM)
It was in a trip from Argentina I first saw every body loves Raymond. I look forward to be able to see the program again. Mr.Boyle became part of our family, an every day tradition of what is a reflection of the American Family, he made us laugh and blushed as well. After all is the familiriarity of the character that made us all laugh.
May his family find confort in the middle of such huge loss. We'll miss Pete,
FAREWELL
William Towers, Warner Robins GA (Sent Dec 14, 2006 12:53:43 AM)
To the family of Peter Boyle: My sincere condolences are with all of you. Mr. Boyle has been a favorite actor of mine since I saw "Young Frankenstein" just after its release. A number of years later, he appeared in a TV movie about the Challenger accident in which he portrayed an employee (and whistleblower) of the Utah company that produced the O rings that caused the explosion of the shuttle. Mr. Boyle was so convincing it that role. Then, a few years later, I turned on a new sit-com on CBS, and there is Peter Boyle. He was the reason I watched "Everybody Loves Raymond initially. I watched every episode after that, and I enjoy the reruns now. Peter Boyle was definitely "one of a kind!" All of his fans will miss him, but he will entertain us forever.
Dianne, San Diego, CA (Sent Dec 14, 2006 12:23:02 AM)
Condolences. I laugh out loud just thinking of Frankenstein Peter Boyle trying to target his soup bowl to Gene Hackman's wayward laddle. What a classic! Peter will never be forgotten by movie fans.
Mike Laughlin Grass Valley Ca (Sent Dec 13, 2006 11:48:10 PM)
As said by many before myself, your uncle was a part of our family as well. My mother loves watching him on "Everybody Loves Raymond." God Bless you and keep you in this time. He will be greatly missed!
Mary Connolly - Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Dec 13, 2006 11:45:07 PM)
Everybody Loves Raymond made me laugh. Peter Boyle made me laugh HARD. One of the all time greats in my book ... he will be missed.
(Sent Dec 13, 2006 11:36:28 PM)
In a bizzare coincidence, I watched Peter last night as Hunter S Thompson's crazed lawyer Lazlo. I have yet to see that role mentioned today in all of the tributes, but it should be. He made the movie, as Peter did so often. My condolences...he was special.
(Sent Dec 13, 2006 11:34:35 PM)
As so many before me have stated.."We shall miss your Uncle Peter Boyle, he could always make us smile", we lost a grandson this year, he also loved Peter Boyle, maybe they will meet in heaven. We share your loss and your grief, will keep you in our prayers and hearts. God bless your family.
Bill & Red Golden Millinocket, Maine (Sent Dec 13, 2006 10:55:22 PM)
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