Ray Romano: Heart Surgery, Net Worth & Career Update 2025

You probably remember Ray Romano as the bumbling sportswriter from Everybody Loves Raymond, but his life after the sitcom has been anything but a rerun. From a surprise heart procedure in 2024 to a thriving voice-acting career and a net worth that still surprises fans, Romano has quietly built a second act worth talking about. Here’s what actually happened — and what’s still unfolding.

Born: December 21, 1957 (Queens, New York) ·
Known For: Everybody Loves Raymond (1996–2005) ·
Net Worth: Approximately $80 million (2025) ·
Marriage: Anna Romano (1987–present) ·
Children: Four (including twin daughters) ·
Height: 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m)

Eight key facts about Ray Romano, pulled from verified sources:

What ever happened to Ray Romano?

After Everybody Loves Raymond ended in 2005, Romano didn’t disappear. He pivoted to dramatic film roles — including The Irishman (2019) and Bad Education (2019) — and kept his voice acting gig as Manny in the Ice Age franchise (Social Life Magazine). He also appeared in TV series like Get Shorty and The Kominsky Method.

Career after Everybody Loves Raymond

• Starred in Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman (2019) as Bill Bufalino (Alux)
• Voiced Manny the mammoth in five Ice Age films (Legit.ng)
• Executive produced and appeared in Get Shorty (2017–2019)

Recent projects and voice work

In 2023, Romano joined the cast of Netflix’s The Kominsky Method. His voice work remains active; he reprised Manny for a short film in 2024. His most acclaimed dramatic role came in HBO’s Bad Education, where he played a school board attorney (TV Insider).

Personal life today

Romano lives in Los Angeles with his longtime wife Anna, whom he married in 1987 (Alux). They have four children, including twin daughters. He still performs stand-up regularly, often incorporating stories about his family and recent health scare.

Does Ray Romano have a medical condition?

Yes — in early 2024, Romano revealed he underwent a heart procedure after doctors discovered a 90% blockage in a major artery, a condition often called a “widowmaker” because of its high risk of sudden cardiac arrest (TV Insider).

Heart surgery in 2024

• Doctors found a near-total blockage during a routine checkup; a stent was inserted (TV Insider)
• He described it as “a possible widowmaker heart attack” that was caught in time
• The procedure was first discussed on Marc Maron’s podcast WTF

Recovery and current health

Romano, now 67, said in interviews that he feels fine and is back to performing and working out. No other chronic conditions have been publicly reported. His recovery was swift, and he has joked about the scare in his stand-up sets.

Public statements about his health

In the same interview with TV Insider, Romano said: “I had a heart attack? I’m fine now.” He credited early detection for saving his life and urged fans to get regular checkups.

Did Debra and Ray get along in real life?

Despite the show’s premise of a bickering married couple, actors Patricia Heaton and Ray Romano were — and remain — on excellent terms. Heaton has said Romano is “one of the funniest and hardest-working people I know” (Legit.ng).

On-screen marriage versus off-screen relationship

• Heaton and Romano had a purely professional friendship; no romantic entanglement
• Both have spoken warmly of each other in interviews
• The show’s creator Phil Rosenthal said the cast was unusually close-knit

Cast dynamics on Everybody Loves Raymond

Behind the scenes, the cast — including Doris Roberts (Marie), Peter Boyle (Frank), and Brad Garrett (Robert) — described a family atmosphere. Romano, as star and executive producer, often let the ensemble shine. No major feuds have ever surfaced.

Statements from Patricia Heaton and Ray Romano

Heaton praised Romano’s comedic timing and generosity on set. Romano once said: “Pat made me look good every day.” The mutual respect was evident even after the show ended.

Why did Everybody Loves Raymond end so abruptly?

The show ended after nine seasons in 2005, but it wasn’t abrupt — it was a deliberate choice by creator Phil Rosenthal and star Ray Romano to leave while the show was still at the top of its game (Alux).

Series finale context

• Finale aired May 16, 2005, to 32 million viewers
• Won an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series that same year
• Rosenthal later said: “We wanted to go out on top, not let the show decline.”

Creator Phil Rosenthal’s decision

In a behind-the-scenes featurette, Rosenthal explained that after nine seasons, the writers felt they had told all the stories they could. Rather than stretch the premise, they chose a natural conclusion.

Ratings and network factors

The show was still a ratings powerhouse when it ended — it never fell out of the Nielsen top 20. CBS wanted more seasons, but the creative team elected to wrap it up. It remains one of the few sitcoms to end on its own terms while still widely popular.

“We wanted to go out on top, not let the show decline.”

— Phil Rosenthal, creator of Everybody Loves Raymond

Is Ray Romano a nice guy in real life?

Every public account — from castmates to journalists to charity partners — describes Romano as genuinely humble, funny, and down-to-earth. He has no known controversies and is known for his charity work with Stand Up for Heroes (Parade).

Colleague testimonials

• Patricia Heaton: “He’s one of the funniest and hardest-working people I know.”
• Brad Garrett: “Ray never pulled rank — he was just one of the guys.”
• Peter Boyle (pre-2006): “He’s a mensch.”

Public interactions and reputation

Fans report easy-going encounters at meet-and-greets. He rarely turns down a selfie, and his stand-up shows often include audience banter. No reports of diva behavior have surfaced in two decades of fame.

Charitable work

Romano has been a longtime supporter of the Bob Woodruff Foundation’s Stand Up for Heroes event, raising millions for wounded veterans. He also participates in Los Angeles-area food drives and literacy programs.

Romano’s journey from sitcom king to a man who faced a health scare head-on is a reminder that even the most successful actors are human. For fans who grew up watching him on TV, the takeaway is clear: he’s still making people laugh, but he’s also learned that some things — like a 90% blocked artery — can’t be joked away. For anyone aged 60 or older, the implication is urgent: get checked, because early detection saved Ray Romano’s life, and it could save yours too.