Peter Boyle

One of the most respected character actors in show business for three decades, Peter Boyle's imposing frame and powerful personality was the highlight of numerous films and television projects, ranging from "Young Frankenstein" (1974) and "Taxi Driver" (1976) to "Everybody Loves Raymond" (CBS, 1996-2005). Boyle's size and intensity made him a natural to play heavies, which he did throughout his career in projects ranging from his starmaking turn in "Joe" (1970) to "Monster's Ball" (2001), but in real life, this former aspirant to the Catholic brotherhood was a lifelong pacifist and intellectual, as well as a gifted comic actor who performed with the legendary Second City troupe. "Young Frankenstein" launched him as a screen comedian, and he divided his time between drama and laughs for the remainder of his career, which ended on a high note with seven Emmy nominations for his turn as the uber-crotchety Frank Barone on "Raymond." It, along with the wealth of great performances throughout his life, cemented his status as a beloved screen presence.