LOS ANGELES — Everybody loved Doris Roberts.
The spunky actress who played the tart-tongued, endlessly meddling mother on CBS’ “Everybody Loves Raymond” received an outpouring of praise on Monday following news of her death.
Phil Rosenthal, the sitcom’s creator, called her “a wonderful, funny, indelible actress and friend” on Twitter.
CBS said in a statement that Roberts “will be remembered for lighting up every room she walked into with an unparalleled combination of energy, humor, warmth and even a little bit of grit.”
Roberts died overnight in her sleep, spokeswoman Janet Daily said. She was told of the death by Roberts’ son, Michael Cannata. Roberts was 90.
The cause of death was not immediately known. Roberts had been healthy and active, Daily said.
Last month, Roberts appeared at an actors’ union event that focused on the scarcity of female directors in entertainment. The outspoken critic of age discrimination asked the panel why there were so few roles for elder actors.
Roberts won four Emmy Awards for her portrayal of Marie Barone on CBS’ “Everybody Loves Raymond,” receiving a total of seven nominations as best supporting actress for the sitcom.
The 1996-2005 sitcom about an affectionate but bickering extended family also starred Ray Romano, Brad Garrett and Patricia Heaton. Peter Boyle, who played husband Frank Barone opposite Roberts, died in 2006.
“She was funny and tough and loved life, living it to the fullest,” Heaton tweeted. She recalled Roberts as a “consummate professional.”
Comedian Denis Leary tweeted that Roberts “made me laugh so hard so many times.”
Roberts also was known for her role in the 1980s TV detective series “Remington Steele.” She appeared on stage and in a variety of movies, including “The Rose,” ‘’The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” and “Madea’s Witness Protection.”
But it was the hugely successful “Everybody Loves Raymond” that “put my career over the top,” Roberts told The Associated Press as the show wrapped its run.
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