Mike Edmisten Follower of Jesus. Husband of Nicki. Father of Ryan & Brock. Communicator of the Word.

Peter Boyle

I was saddened to hear the news that Peter Boyle passed away on December 12. Most recently, he was known for playing Frank Barone on the sitcom "Everybody Loves Raymond." Not only is that show one of my favs, but Frank is my very favorite character. It's weird, because even though I never met Peter Boyle personally, I feel like I knew him. But actually I only knew his on-screen persona. Frank was an old codger and a grump, but you always knew that deep down, he was a softie who cared very deeply for his family…yeah, he even cared for his wife, Marie.

That was Frank Barone. But what about Peter Boyle? Billy Baldwin said, "His characters were sort of curmudgeonly and ornery and intense." But in his real life, Peter "was just a big bear of a man who was loving and caring and sweet. And of course, he had a marvelous sense of humor."

I liked Frank, but it sounds as if I would have really liked Peter. And as I think about that, it makes me think about how many "actors" I know. Instead of sharing the real you with other people, you share the character that you've created.

I guess we're all tempted to do that. But the people that I'm drawn to are the people who have no pretense. They put on no show. They'll never win an Oscar for their role as the perfect man, woman, Christian, etc. They simply are who they are. Some of these people are a little rough around the edges, but they are real.

I really despise hearing somebody say, "Oh, I'd better not say that. The preacher is here." As if they need to somehow change who they are just because I'm there. Gotta be honest. That puts me off quicker than anything. Instead of impressing me, it depresses me. I love people who are real, no matter who is around. If you want to be an actor, move to Hollywood.