The Emmy-winning cast of "Everyone Loves Raymond" (Photo : REUTER)
Sawyer Sweeten, the child star of the hit show "Everybody Loves Raymond," killed himself. He was 19-year-old and is about to turn 20 a few weeks later.
Sweeten's sister, Madylin Sweeten, who also played his on-screen sister, broke the news of his death.
"This morning a terrible family tragedy has occurred," the deceased actor's sister said in a press statement. "We are devastated to report that our beloved brother, son, and friend, Sawyer Sweeten, took his own life."
According to the details posted by Hollywood Reporter, Sweeten was visiting his family in Texas at the time of his death. The actor reportedly shot himself while standing on his home's front porch.
Sweeten started his acting career when he was just 16-month-old. He, along with his twin brother Sullivan, played the role of Geoffrey and Michael Barone, who were the children of the show's protagonist, Ray Barone, played by popular stand up comedian, Ray Romano.
The show was primarily based on the lead character's family life and how he deals with his nagging parents and interfering brother, who happen to live across the street. The twins had supporting roles in the show.
The three sibling starred in the hit show since its conception in 1996 until 2005, Sydney Morning Herald reported. Apart from a couple of other small roles, "Everybody Loves Raymond" was the late actor's only show and he stopped acting too when the show died down while his sister went on to build her TV career. She also played a small role in 2008's "Eagle Eye."
Patricia Heaton, the actor's on-screen mother in the show, expressed her grief via Twitter, saying that Sweeten was a bright young man who has gone away too soon. Catch a small clip of the hit show below.
