[dropcap]‘E[/dropcap]verybody Loves Raymond’ star Sawyer Sullivan has died aged 19. The actor - who along with his twin brother Sullivan, played Geoffrey and Michael Barone, on the hit TV show - is reported to have taken his own life by shooting himself dead on his family’s porch in Texas.
Sawyer’s sister Madylin - who also starred on the show as the boys’ older sibling Ally - has said that the family want privacy and encouraged people to reach out to their loved ones.
She said in a statement: “This morning a terrible family tragedy has occurred. We are devastated to report that our beloved brother, son, and friend, Sawyer Sweeten, took his own life. He was weeks away from his 20th birthday.
“At this sensitive time, our family requests privacy and we beg of you to reach out to the ones you love.”
Many of Sawyer’s former co-stars - who starred with the late actor on the show which ended in 2005 - have already paid tribute to the teen.
Doris Roberts - who played his grandmother Marie Barone - wrote on Facebook: “It is with great sadness that I learned the news that Sawyer Sweeten, who played my grandson Geoffrey Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond, died at his family’s home in Texas.
“He was a very sweet young man who will be dearly missed. Make sure your loved ones know how much you care about them, and please check in with them if you haven’t touched base with them for a while. It’s very important to keep in touch.”
His on screen mother Patricia Heaton also wrote: “Sawyer Sweeten was a funny and exceptionally bright young man. He is gone from us far too soon.”
Sawyer had given up acting after starring on the show for 139 episodes.
He also has a younger sister Maysa and four half-siblings named Emma, Guiliana, Elliette and Jaymeson.
