Those who knew Peter Boyle understood that his own personality couldn’t have been further from the character he played on television. For nine years, Boyle played the role of crochety Frank Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond. Though frequently grumpy and pessimistic, Frank was a favorite character among sitcom fans everywhere.

But while many are willing to explain the differences between Boyle and Barone, the actor himself acknowledged that he was more alike his character than many might assume.“I play a guy who sits at home watching the Knicks on TV,” said Boyle during an interview with the Staten Island Advance. “Then I come back home and watch the Knicks on TV.”

Boyle, who stated that he was “opinionated and full of hot air,” revealed that early in his career, he sought specific roles. “When I was in high school, I wanted to be a leading-man guy, like Howard Keel. But then God saw fit to take the hair off my head at age 24.” On the bright side, the change allowed Boyle to grow as an actor. The performer explained that he began pursuing “a variety of roles that we’re challenging and different.”

Watch Everybody Loves Raymond on MeTV!

ONE FULL HOUR

Weeknights at 9 PM & Sundays at 10 PM

*available in most MeTV markets

Boyle said that it was his mission as an actor “to not be a bus driver— going the same route every day as an actor.” Boyle constantly looked for new and different parts with a great deal of depth.

“I’m fascinated by the subtext of everybody’s life,” said Boyle. “The things that don’t fit together in people are what make them interesting.”