Rosenthal said he later met with CBS executives and told then-CEO Les Moonves, regarding the network’s initial pick for the part of Debra, “I love her and I’ve loved everything she’s been in. I think she’s terrific and beautiful, but then she read for me and I have to tell you it’s just not what I wrote. I just don’t see them as a couple. I think she could do it, but I also think that maybe we could do better.”
“Two weeks later, Patty walked in and within five minutes, she had the part,” Rosenthal said. “When it’s right, it’s right, and you know it immediately.”
Heaton won two Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on Everybody Loves Raymond, which aired for nine seasons until 2005 and celebrated its 25th anniversary on Monday, Sept. 13.
“Happy 25th Anniversary to #EverybodyLovesRaymond!” Heaton tweeted that day. “To my on-screen family, everyone behind-the-scenes making the show a reality, and of course to the fans and Tweatons, for following along and still loving Debra today!”
