Patricia Heaton

Patricia Heaton

Heaton at a ceremony to receive her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, May 2012
Born March 4, 1958
Bay Village, Ohio, U.S.
Occupation Actress, producer
Years active 1989–present
Spouse(s) David Hunt (m. 1990)
Children 4
Website
patriciaheaton.com

Patricia Helen Heaton (born March 4, 1958)[1] is an American actress and producer. She is known for portraying Debra Barone on the CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond from 1996 to 2005, for which she won two Primetime Emmy Awards, and as Frances "Frankie" Heck on the ABC sitcom The Middle (2009–present).

Early life

Patricia Heaton was born in Bay Village, Ohio, the daughter of Patricia (née Hurd) and Chuck Heaton, who was a sportswriter for the Plain Dealer.[2] She was raised as a devout Roman Catholic.[3][4][5][6][7]

Heaton has three sisters, Sharon, Alice, and Frances, and one brother, Michael, who is the "Minister of Culture" columnist for the Plain Dealer and a writer for the paper's Friday Magazine.

Career

While attending Ohio State University, she became a sister of Delta Gamma Sorority. She later graduated with a B.A. in drama. In 1980, Heaton moved to New York City to study with drama teacher William Esper.

Heaton made her first Broadway appearance in the chorus of Don't Get God Started (1987), after which she and fellow students created Stage Three, an Off-Broadway acting troupe.

Heaton in 2008

When Stage Three brought one of their productions to Los Angeles, Heaton caught the eye of a casting director for the ABC drama thirtysomething. She was cast as an oncologist, leading to six appearances on the series from 1989 to 1991. Other TV guest appearances include: Alien Nation (1989), Matlock (1990), Party of Five (1996), The King of Queens (1999), and Danny Phantom (2004).

Heaton's feature films include Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992), Beethoven (1992), The New Age (1994), and Space Jam (1996).

Heaton was featured in three short-lived sitcoms—Room for Two (1992) with Linda Lavin, Someone Like Me (1994), and Women of the House (1995) with Delta Burke and Teri Garr—before landing her signature role of beleaguered wife, mother, and in-law Debra Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond (1996–2005) with Ray Romano, Doris Roberts, the late Peter Boyle, Brad Garrett, and Monica Horan. She was nominated in each of the series' last seven seasons for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, winning the twice in 2000 and 2001. With her win in 2000, she became the first of the cast members on the show to win an Emmy. She has also collected two Viewers for Quality Television Awards and a Screen Actors Guild trophy for her work on the series.

Starting September 2007, Heaton co-starred with Kelsey Grammer in Back to You, a situation comedy on Fox. The show was canceled in May 2008.

Heaton appeared on the season seven of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition where she helped build a home for a firefighter and his family.

Heaton's television movies include Shattered Dreams (1990), Miracle in the Woods (1997), A Town Without Christmas (2001), as well as the remake of Neil Simon's The Goodbye Girl (2004) with Jeff Daniels, The Engagement Ring (2005), Heaton also played former U.S. Ambassador to Yemen, Barbara Bodine, in the 2006 ABC docudrama The Path to 9/11, and the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie Front of the Class, based on the real story of a mother, Ellen Cohen, dealing with a son, Brad Cohen, who has Tourette Syndrome, in 2008.

Heaton was the producer for the 2005 documentary The Bituminous Coal Queens of Pennsylvania, which was directed by her husband. She was also one of the producers of the William Wilberforce drama Amazing Grace (2006).

In January 2007, Heaton returned to the stage to co-star with Tony Shalhoub in the Off-Broadway play The Scene at Second Stage Theatre in New York City.[8] For this performance, Heaton was nominated in the Outstanding Lead Actress category for the 22nd Lucille Lortel Awards.

Since September 2009, she has starred in the ABC comedy The Middle.

In 2011, Heaton was ranked #24 on the TV Guide Network special, Funniest Women on TV.[9]

She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 22, 2012.[10] The star is located at 6533 Hollywood Blvd. in front of The Hudson Apartments.

Other credits

In 2003, Heaton appeared in a series of television and radio commercials as spokesperson for the various incarnations of the grocery chain Albertsons, such as Acme, Jewel and Shaw's. Heaton also was featured on the cover of the company's 2003 and 2004 annual reports. In 2007, Albertsons created the Crazy About Food slogan/campaign and Heaton's association with the company ended.[11] She has also appeared in advertisements for Pantene hair-care products.

Personal life

Heaton has been married to British actor David Hunt since 1990; it is her second marriage. Her first marriage (1984–1987) ended in divorce. Heaton and Hunt have four sons: Samuel David (b. September 1993); John Basil (b. May 1995); Joseph Charles (b. 2 June 1997); and Daniel Patrick (b. January 20, 1999). They divide their time between Los Angeles and Cambridgeshire - a county in England - where they own a house, as well as a house in her hometown of Bay Village. Her memoir, Motherhood and Hollywood: How to Get a Job Like Mine, was published by Villard Books in 2002. Although she and her family attend a Presbyterian Church,[3] Heaton says she is still a Catholic.[4]

Political and social advocacy

Heaton is a consistent life ethicist and is supportive of pro-life groups and causes, opposing abortion, euthanasia, and the death penalty.[7] Heaton's advocacy became particularly visible during the debate regarding the Terri Schiavo case.[12] In addition, Heaton is Honorary Chair of Feminists for Life, an organization which opposes abortion and embryonic stem cell research and supports other pro-life causes on the basis of feminism.[7]

A confirmed Republican,[13] Heaton openly supports gay rights,[14] and has publicly stated that she is not against same-sex marriage.[15]

Patricia Heaton and family in the Indianapolis 500 Parade, May 2008

Heaton's name was in an advertisement in the Los Angeles Times (17 August 2006) that condemned Hamas and Hezbollah and supported Israel in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict.[16]

In October 2006, Heaton appeared in a commercial opposing a Missouri state constitutional amendment concerning embryonic stem cell research, which subsequently passed. The advertisement was a response to the election of Democratic Senate hopeful Claire McCaskill and aired at the same time as Michael J. Fox's advertisement supporting the amendment.[7] Appearing with Heaton were actor Jim Caviezel, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jeff Suppan, Seattle Mariner Mike Sweeney and St. Louis Rams/Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner.[17] Following a public outcry, Heaton later said she regretted doing the ad and sent an apology to Fox, saying she was unaware of Fox's ad. Fox accepted her apology and later stated, “If we can have a healthy dialogue about issues that people see differently, that’s marvelous.”[7]

On February 29, 2012, Heaton made several negative public remarks against Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke, joining the controversy surrounding the law requiring insurance companies to cover contraception. Following criticism for her remarks, Heaton apologized days later.[18]

Filmography

Film and television roles
Year Title Role Notes
1989 Alien Nation Amanda Russell Episode: "The Red Room"
1989–1991 Thirtysomething Dr. Silverman 6 episodes
1990 Shattered Dreams Older Dotti TV film
1990 Matlock Ellie Stanford Episode: "The Brothers"
1991 DEA Paula Werner Episode: "The Fat Lady Sings Alone"
1992 Memoirs of an Invisible Man Ellen
1992 Beethoven Brie
1992–1993 Room for Two Jill Kurland 26 episodes
1994 Someone Like Me Jean Stepjak 5 episodes
1994 The New Age Anna
1995 Women of the House Natalie Hollingsworth 11 episodes
1996 Party of Five Robin Merrin 2 episodes
1996 Space Jam Woman Fan
1996–2005 Everybody Loves Raymond Debra Barone 209 episodes
1997 Miracle in the Woods Wanda Briggs TV film
1999 The King of Queens Debra Barone Episode: "Dire Strayts"
2001 A Town Without Christmas M.J. Jensen TV movie
2004 The Goodbye Girl Paula McFadden TV film
2004 Danny Phantom Lunch Lady (voice) Episode: "Mystery Meat"
2005 The Engagement Ring Sara Rosa Anselmi TV film
2006 Untitled Patricia Heaton Project Janet Daily TV pilot
2006 The Path to 9/11 Ambassador Bodine Miniseries
2007 Amazing Grace Producer
2007–2008 Back to You Kelly Carr 17 episodes
2008 Front of the Class Ellen Cohen TV film
2009–present The Middle Frankie Heck Main role
2011 Easy to Assemble Mrs. Hullestaad 3 episodes
2014 Moms' Night Out Sondra

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Nominated work Result
1998 Viewers for Quality Television Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
1999 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
1999 Viewers for Quality Television Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Won
2000 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Won
2000 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2000 Viewers for Quality Television Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Won
2001 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Won
2002 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2002 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2002 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2003 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2003 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2003 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Won
2004 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2004 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2004 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2005 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2005 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2005 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie The Goodbye Girl Nominated
2005 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2006 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2006 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Everybody Loves Raymond Nominated
2007 Satellite Award Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy Back to You Nominated
2011 Critics' Choice Television Award Best Actress in a Comedy Series The Middle Nominated

References

  1. "Monitor". Entertainment Weekly (1197). Mar 9, 2012. p. 26.
  2. "Patricia Heaton Biography (1958–)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "AFA Journal". AFA Journal. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Quinn, Justin. "A Profile of Conservative Hollywood Actress Patricia Heaton". About.com. Retrieved 2010-06-22. She was raised Roman Catholic and attended Mass with her parents every day.
  5. W. Bell, Charles (2004-05-01). "Kid sister stages a comeback". Daily News. Retrieved 2010-09-13. By coincidence, Heaton, a devout Catholic...
  6. Keller, Joel (May 5, 2010). "Patricia Heaton on Spending Mother's Day in 'The Middle'". TV Squad. Retrieved October 10, 2010. And so many of us – Neil Flynn grew up in the suburbs of Chicago – and just talking about how he grew up ... And he's also Irish-Catholic, which is how I grew up.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Green, Jesse. Not Everybody Loves Patricia, The New York Times, December 31, 2006. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
  8. On The Scene, Tony Shalhoub and Patricia Heaton Open Off Broadway, broadway.com, 2007-01-11
  9. "Funniest Women on TV". July 3, 2011. TV Guide Network. Missing or empty |title= (help);
  10. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Walk of Fame Committee Announces New Walk of Fame Honorees for 2012
  11. KTVB.COM | Boise, Idaho News, Weather, Sports, Video, Traffic & Events | IDAHO NEWS
  12. Squires, Chase. Tampabay: Issues, not images, drive Schiavo TV coverage, March 25, 2005. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
  13. Bond, Paul. Hollywood insiders rip MSNBC, defend Palin, Reuters, October 27, 2008. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
  14. "Patricia Heaton - A Profile of Conservative Hollywood Actress Patricia Heaton". Usconservatives.about.com. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
  15. "Patricia Heaton Says Her Politics Have Cost Her Potential Roles". Christianpost.com. 2011-05-21. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
  16. "Nicole Kidman and 84 Others Stand United Against Terrorism" Hollywood Grind. 18 August 2006.
  17. Serrano, Alfonso. Stem Cell Opponents To Air Celebrity Ad, CBS News, October 25, 2006. Retrieved January 13, 2010.
  18. , Eonline.com, March 5, 2012.

External links

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