Actor Sawyer Sweeten, known for his role in US sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, has taken his own life, according to a statement released by his manager. He was 19.
“This morning a terrible family tragedy has occurred,” the family said in a statement, published on the Hollywood Reporter.
“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.”
Sweeten played Geoffrey Barone in the comedy starring Ray Romano. He was one year old when the show began in 1996, and he featured alongside his twin brother, Sullivan, and his sister Madylin.
Madylin, who played his sister Ally Barone on the show, posted on her Facebook page: “At this time I would like to encourage everyone to reach out to the ones you love. Let them have no doubt of what they mean to you.”
Patricia Heaton, who played Sweeten’s on-screen mother, tweeted: “Sawyer Sweeten was a funny and exceptionally bright young man. He is gone from us far too soon.”
Everybody Loves Raymond ran from 1996 to 2005. The sitcom centred on Ray Barone, a sportswriter of Italian-American heritage, and his family.
