Who Is Anna Romano: Ray Romano is famous for his long-running role as the husband of Patricia Heaton in the hit sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, which aired for nine seasons from 1996 to 2005. In his newest project, the Netflix series No Good Deed, he stars alongside Lisa Kudrow as her on-screen husband. However, in real life, Romano has been married to the same woman for almost four decades.
Ray Romano and his wife, Anna Romano, tied the knot in 1987 after meeting while working at the same bank. This was before Romano became a household name as a stand-up comic and TV star. As an executive producer and writer for Everybody Loves Raymond, Romano often drew from his own marriage for inspiration in crafting storylines. In fact, Anna made a brief cameo in the show’s sixth-season premiere, playing one of the other mothers at Raymond’s kids’ school.
So, who exactly is Anna Romano? Here’s what we know about Ray Romano’s wife in real life, who has served as the muse for several of his comedic works.
Who is Ray Romano’s spouse?
Ray Romano has been married to Anna Romano since 1987, and they are now nearing their 40th year of marriage.
What is Anna Romano’s profession?
Anna Romano is a stay-at-home mom who devoted her time to raising the couple’s four children while Ray Romano was busy working on Everybody Loves Raymond. Despite being married to a TV star, Anna has no desire to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Instead, she plays a crucial role in keeping Romano grounded.
In a 2023 interview on Good Morning America, Ray shared a humorous moment, recalling, “Today when I left very early, I went over and kissed my wife. I thought she was asleep and as I’m walking out the door all I hear is, ‘Don’t say anything stupid.'”
How Did Ray Romano Meet His Wife Anna?
Ray and Anna Romano first met back in 1983 when they both worked as tellers at the same bank. They started dating a couple of years later in 1985, after Ray left the bank to pursue a career in comedy. The couple got married in 1987.
Reflecting on their early days, Ray humorously shared on the Double Date with Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue podcast in 2022, “I always joke that she took a big risk by dating a guy who still lived at home and biked to work.”
When Did Ray and Anna Romano Tie the Knot?
Ray and Anna Romano were married in 1987, nearly a decade before Ray became famous for his role in Everybody Loves Raymond. The couple has now been together for over 40 years.
Do Anna and Ray Romano Have Kids?
Yes, Anna and Ray Romano have four children. Their first child, a daughter named Alexandra, was born on August 26, 1990. The couple then had twin sons, Matthew and Gregory, in 1993. Their youngest child, another son named Joseph, was born five years later in 1998.
Anna’s Battle with Breast Cancer
In 2010, Anna Romano was diagnosed with Stage One breast cancer. At first, she and Ray chose to keep the news within the family to allow themselves the time and space to process the situation. However, in 2012, they decided to go public with their story, sharing their journey with People magazine in the hope of inspiring and supporting other families dealing with similar hardships. The couple also admitted that they had kept Anna’s diagnosis from their children until they were certain about her prognosis.
Anna’s battle with breast cancer played a significant role in shaping Ray Romano’s film Somewhere in Queens, which he not only co-wrote and directed but also starred in. In an interview with People at the film’s premiere, Romano revealed that much of the movie’s emotional depth came from his personal experiences. “I incorporated as much of that real-life journey as I could into the film. While we created characters and crafted the storyline, the heart of it came from a very genuine place,” he shared.