Everybody Loves Raymond is a character-driven sitcom at its core. Following the chaotic daily lives of the expansive Barone family living in all-too-close quarters, the series offers a close look at the lives of each of its main characters ranging across three generations.
For better or worse, viewers get to know each member of the Barone family in almost excruciating detail over the series' nine season run. With equal heart and humor, every character is painted in both loving and critical detail. Some characters are portrayed better than others due to the writing and the comedic talent of their actors, but one thing is clear— the Barones are one of television's most iconic families, no matter which member of the family fans may prefer.
Debra Barone
By virtue of being a sitcom wife in the late 1990s, Debra Barone often comes off as one of the most unlikable characters in the entire series. Debra does put up with quite a lot when it comes to all members of the Barone family, but she is still portrayed as short-tempered, judgmental, and shrill.
In particular, she has a real superiority complex when it comes to her in-laws, owing to her growing up in a higher class family as opposed to the working class Barones, something the show even briefly discusses.
Michael and Geoffrey Barone
Michael and Geoffrey are rarely given story lines of their own, and that's a real shame. The few times the twins were given plots sometimes wound up being some of the funniest and most poignant stories in the entire series.
Whether it has to do with Michael and Geoffrey being left back in school for a year, or the boys performing in a school musical or a comedy talent show, the tiniest members of the Barone family have a lot to offer— when the show remembers that they're around.
Ally Barone
As the older Barone child, Ally receives more narrative attention than her younger twin brothers do. In her youngest years, Ally is an absolutely adorable and sometimes trouble-making addition to the show. Some of her hi-jinks include cutting the hair off her doll and— in a plot that hasn't aged well— drawing a Hitler-like mustache on one of her baby brothers.
As she gets older, Ally becomes brattier and more like a typical annoying television child. But she still contributes to a few heartwarming stories on the series, including an episode that delves into Frank's anger issues, and one that finds Ray reflecting on fatherhood.
Marie Barone
Though she can be overbearing, invasive, and judgmental, Marie Barone is a character who means well deep down. No matter how many irritating personality traits she exhibits— or the way way she treats daughter-in-law Debra— Marie is an incredibly loving and protective mother and grandmother alike.
It would have been easy for this character to be a one-note stereotype, but thanks to the incredible performance by legendary actress Doris Roberts, Marie easily ranks among the best sitcom mothers in television history— especially when it's Ray she's mothering.
Ray Barone
The show might be called Everybody Loves Raymond, but even the titular character doesn't rank at the top of the series' most likable leads. Perhaps that's to be expected, given the sarcastic way in which the title phrase is so often spoken by jealous older brother Robert.
But even for his many annoying faults— laziness, selfishness, whiny-ness, and more— Ray is still a great character. A nerd who refuses to admit that he is one, Ray is goofy and self-loathing, neurotic and warm, and one of the funniest characters in the series.
Frank Barone
Frank Barone isn't an easy man to love. He's often racist, sexist, homophobic, and all around mean-spirited. But besides his many, many flaws, Frank is arguably the series' funniest character.
Though he treats his wife and children poorly in equal measure, Frank is also occasionally revealed to have a softer side and a kind heart. It's his generally toxic behavior that makes these fleeting moments all the more precious and meaningful, and it's actor Peter Boyle's impeccable gift for comedy that makes Frank one of the all time greats.
Amy McDougall-Barone
Amy is a late addition to the Barone clan, but she's a major presence in the series from almost the beginning. Sweet and kindhearted to the point of quaintness, Amy stands in antithesis with virtually everything the chaotic and messy Barone family represents.
The fact that she's able to endure them all— and love them all— only further attests to her innate goodness. Played by the perfectly cast Monica Horan (wife of series creator, Phil Rosenthal), Amy is a character who brightens the room every time she's in it, and who finds the levity and humor in every situation, no matter how tense things get.
Robert Barone
At the end of the day, Robert is the one who gets the last laugh. Though the show is ostensibly about little brother Raymond, it's often Robert who the audience can't help but root for and sympathize with. Often down on his luck and struggling to find reasons to be happy, Robert is a character with a perfect sense of sarcasm and the driest humor in the series.
Towering over all other members of the Barone family, Robert also has a booming laugh and a giant heart, too. Brad Garrett won three Emmys for his work as Robert, and it's not hard to see why. Robert runs the gamut of comedic experiences, and Garrett's comedic master class is nothing short of a gift to the audience.