Sawyer Sweeten (left) with his brother Sullivan and sister Madylin (Getty)
A former child star who appeared on the hit CBS series ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ has killed himself.
Sawyer Sweeten, now 19, reportedly shot himself while visiting his family in Texas.
According to Radar Online, Sweeten died on the front porch. “Sawyer’s entire family is absolutely devastated by this tragedy,” a source told the site.
Here’s what you need to know about the tragedy:
1. He played Geoffrey Barone on ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ for 139 episodes
The cast of ‘Everybody loves Raymond’ at the Emmys in 2005 (Getty)
The cast of ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ was nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series seven times by the Screen Actors Guild, winning the coveted award in 2003. The Sweetens played the Long Island couple’s three children.
The show – which starred Ray Romano and Patricia Heaton as Raymond and Debra Barone – also won the Outstanding Comedy Series award at the Emmys in both 2003 and 2005.
The series, also featuring Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle as Raymond’s parents Marie and Frank, and Brad Garret as his older brother, still airs in syndication around the world. Asked about his memories of the show in 2010, Sweeten replied: “All my memories are fond.”
“I’m shocked, and terribly saddened, by the news about Sawyer,” said Romano.
“He was a wonderful and sweet kid to be around. Just a great energy whenever he was there. My heart breaks for him, his family, and his friends during this very difficult time.”
Patricia Heaton, his television mother, wrote; ‘Sawyer Sweeten was a funny and exceptionally bright young man. He is gone from us far too soon.’
Sawyer Sweeten was a funny and exceptionally bright young man. He is gone from us far too soon.
Sweeten’s ‘Raymond’ co-star Doris Roberts remembered him on Facebook writing; “It is with great sadness that I learned the news that Sawyer Sweeten, who played my grandson Geoffrey Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond, died at his family’s home in Texas.
“He was a very sweet young man who will be dearly missed. Make sure your loved ones know how much you care about them, and please check in with them if you haven’t touched base with them for a while. It’s very important to keep in touch.’
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2. His Twin Brother, Sullivan, and Big Sister, Madylin, Played His Siblings on The Hit Show
With sister Madylin and twin brother Sullivan (Getty)
Sweeten’s twin, Sullivan, played Michael on the show and older sister Madylin played Ally.
The tragic actor was born in Brownwood, Texas in 1995 and he and his brother began working on ‘Raymond’ when they were just 16 months old. His parents are Timothy and Elizabeth Sweeten.
3. Madylin Wrote on Facebook Asking People to ‘Reach Out to The Ones You Love’
(Facebook)
“At this time I would like to encourage everyone to reach out to the ones you love. Let them have no doubt of what they mean to you,” she wrote on Thursday evening.
She also issued a statement that read: “This morning a terrible family tragedy has occurred. We are devastated to report that our beloved brother, son, and friend, Sawyer Sweeten, took his own life. He was weeks away from his 20th birthday.
“At this sensitive time, our family requests privacy and we beg of you to reach out to the ones you love.”
Sweeten comes from a family of nine children. The rest of his siblings are Claudia, Maysa, Emma, Guiliana, Elliette and Jaymeson Sweeten.
4. Sweeten’s Manager Has Confirmed The Death
Sawyer and Sullivan in 2004 (Getty)
Sweeten’s manager Dino May confirmed the tragedy in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
5. The Motive is Unclear But Sweeten’s Career Slowed After ‘Raymond’ Wrapped in 2005
The brothers (interviewed by Donny and Marie Osmond in the clip above) jointly played a character in a 2000 episode of Disney Channel’s Even Stevens and shared a small role in the 2002 feature Frank McKlusky, C.I.
But they have not starred in any shows since 2005 when Everybody Loves Raymond aired its final episode.