Ten years have passed since the Sweeten family lost their son and brother, Sawyer, and the emotions surrounding his death still sit close to the surface.
During the 30th anniversary reunion of Everybody Loves Raymond, Madylin and Sullivan Sweeten took a moment to remember him — not as a character on TV, but as the person they grew up with both on and off the set.
The Loss That Changed Everything
Sawyer Sweeten died in April 2015, just shy of turning 20.
His passing stunned fans of the sitcom, but it devastated his siblings most of all.
Now 34, Madylin, and 30-year-old Sullivan joined CBS for the reunion special aired Monday, using the occasion to reflect on the brother viewers watched grow up alongside them.
Growing Up Under Studio Lights
The Sweeten trio — Madylin, Sawyer, and Sullivan — became familiar faces to American households as Ally, Geoffrey, and Michael Barone.
From 1996 until 2005, they played the TV children of Ray Romano and Patricia Heaton, creating a bond that stretched far beyond scripts and studio taping days.
A Family Remembered by Their TV Dad
During the reunion, Ray Romano didn’t shy away from speaking about Sawyer.
He shared how deeply everyone missed him and recalled his unmistakable presence.
Romano described him as someone who carried a quiet brightness, the kind of energy people naturally gravitated toward.
Sullivan Speaks About the Twin He Misses
For Sullivan, revisiting the set brings both warmth and ache.
He opened up about the shock their family felt in the aftermath of Sawyer’s death, admitting that the loss was something no one ever anticipated.
Yet he finds comfort remembering the joyful, ordinary moments they shared while filming.
Madylin Turns Grief Into Purpose
Madylin spoke passionately about keeping conversations around her brother meaningful.
Her family has become heavily involved in suicide-prevention awareness, and she emphasized how crucial these conversations are — especially for young adults.
She noted that many people have reached out to say they sought help after hearing Sawyer’s story, and some believe it saved their lives.
The Day That Altered the Cast Forever
In 2015, Sawyer was visiting relatives in Texas when he died.
The news spread quickly, and the cast responded with heartfelt tributes.
Ray Romano, who had known him since he was a toddler on set, expressed how heartbroken he was, describing Sawyer as a kind presence who always brought good energy into the room.
A Childhood Captured on Screen
Sawyer appeared in 139 episodes of the show, playing Geoffrey Barone opposite Sullivan’s Michael.
Madylin’s portrayal of their onscreen sister Ally completed the fictional Barone family that millions connected with.
When the tragedy happened, it was Madylin who issued the family’s statement, sharing their devastation and asking for privacy while encouraging others to reach out to the people they care about.
Castmates Share Their Love and Grief
Tributes came from other members of the Raymond family as well.
Doris Roberts, who played their grandmother and later passed away in 2016, wrote a touching message online urging people to check on their loved ones.
Patricia Heaton remembered Sawyer as an exceptionally intelligent and funny young man whose absence was felt deeply.
Holding On to His Memory
As time moves forward, Sawyer remains a central part of the Sweeten family’s story — not only in their grief, but in their commitment to helping others through his memory.
The reunion special became both a celebration of the sitcom’s success and a heartfelt tribute to a young actor gone far too soon.
Where Fans Can Watch
The Everybody Loves Raymond 30th Anniversary Reunion is now streaming on Paramount+, where viewers can revisit the show and see the cast honor the time they spent together.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn