Frank Barone has died…and so has the man whose version of “Puttin’ On The Ritz” could kick Taco’s ass any day of the week.
Peter Boyle passed away last night at New York Presbyterian Hospital from complications of multiple myeloma and heart disease. Boyle, who was 71, will be remembered as one of TV’s classic dads, thanks to his role as Ray Romano’s father on “Everybody Loves Raymond,” but his film roles in “Taxi Driver” and “Young Frankenstein” ensured him regular appearances on lists compiled by the American Film Institute. He also hosted an episode of “Saturday Night Live” during its first season (which I watched only a few days ago, as it happens), appeared in films ranging from “Monster’s Ball” to “Porky’s Revenge,” and such a close friend of John Lennon’s that the Beatle was his best man when he was married in 1977. And although he never won an Emmy for his work on “Raymond,” he did win one for his guest role on “The X-Files.” (If you’ve never seen the episode – “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose” – it’s one of the best of the series, and it can be found in the Season 3 box set.)
I don’t know how long it’ll last, but while it’s on You Tube, say bye-bye to Mr. Boyle in the best of all possible ways: with a song and dance number.
