Patricia Heaton won two consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, for her portrayal of Debra Barone on CBS' hit comedy series Everybody Loves Raymond. Heaton's artistic career spans TV, theatre and films; her first book, Motherhood and Hollywood (published in 2002), hit the best-seller lists. Married and the mother of four boys, Heaton wrote a collection of essays chronicling her childhood, her years of struggle as an aspiring actress, and how she balances her career and family with her current success on television.

Heaton was born on March 4, 1958, in Ohio, and acted on Broadway in the musical Don't Get God Started, before making her way to Los Angeles and to roles in television series such as Room For Two, Someone Like Me and thirtysomething. Her movie credits include The New Age, Beethoven and Space Jam.

Heaton co-starred alongside Kelsey Grammer in the short-lived sitcom Back to You.

Last updated: March 18, 2009.

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