The Sweeten Boys Weren't Even Around When The Twins First Appeared In Everybody Loves Raymond
Highlights
- Everybody Loves Raymond remains popular, and Ray Romano continues to earn money from the show, showcasing the ongoing interest from fans.
- The Sweeten twins, Sullivan and Sawyer, played Raymond Barone's sons on the show and were part of the main core of the cast, receiving a lot of attention.
- The original twins, played by the Ferreira triplets in the pilot episode, were replaced by the Sweeten twins, possibly due to their age or the convenience of having a real-life connection with their on-screen sister. The Ferreira triplets did not continue acting after the pilot.
Fans of 1990s sitcoms probably fondly remember Everybody Loves Raymond. The show, centered around Ray Romano, was a great representation of the best '90s shows and its main star is still making money from it, proving that the interest from fans is still ongoing.
Although the show didn't always run smoothly, and the cast once walked out on it due to salary issues, it created wonderful memories for both the actors and the audience.
Among the youngest members of the cast and crew were the Sweeten twins, who stepped in to replace a different set of twins who appeared in the pilot playing the Barone children.
The Sweeten Twins Were Stars Of Everybody Loves Raymond
After winning a loyal following, Everybody Loves Raymond became one of the biggest sitcoms of the 1990s and ran for a total of nine seasons. After the show ended, it remained in syndication due to heavy demand from viewers and its top-notch writing and acting.
Twins Michael and Geoffrey Barone were played on the show by Sullivan and Sawyer Sweeten, who were less than two years old when they got the parts in 1996. They played the roles of the Barone boys until 2005, appearing in 142 episodes.
What was more, their real-life sister, Madylin, also starred in the show, playing the role of their on-screen sister, Ally Barone.
The twins and their sister were part of the main core of the cast and got a lot of attention on the show.
Unfortunately, after the show ended, things took a bad turn for Sawyer Sweeten. In 2015, he tragically took his own life. The family announced his death and his former co-stars offered sympathy and support after the tragedy.
Later, in 2019, Madylin Sweeten discussed her brother's tragic passing, saying, "My brother was a funny young man who also hated a lot of things. One day he was just different, he didn't like anything anymore. It happened fast, over a few weeks, and then he was gone. He took his own life, and we were blindsided."
Although fans loved the twins on the screen, they couldn't have guessed their private lives and what turmoil would follow them long after the show ended.
In The Pilot, The Twins Were Completely Different
Although the Sweeten twins are now remembered as the Barone twins from Everybody Loves Raymond, they were not the first choice for the casting crew. In the show's pilot episode, not even their names are the same.
Michael and Geoffrey were originally named Matthew and Gregory Barone and played by triplets Amber, Drew, and Justin Ferreira. The Ferreira triplets were born in California in 1994 and did not appear in any other shows after their original appearance in the pilot. Interestingly, the trio was joined by Sullivan's and Sawyer's sister Madylin in the pilot.
The plot of the pilot revolves around themes that would become central as the show progressed, such as Raymond digging himself into a hole by lying to too many people at the same time and having to juggle child care and a busy social life.
As such, the triplets played a major role in preventing Raymond from having fun with friends and causing havoc at home in this first episode of the show.
While the reason why the actors were replaced on Everybody Loves Raymond may be more difficult to guess, it's not difficult to figure out why the writers felt the need to also change the name of the characters for the rest of the show.
Matthew, Gregory, and Alexandra are Ray Romano's real-life children's names, so he may have felt uneasy about using them on the show and opening his children to bullying by sharing their real-life experiences.
Why Were The Original Twins Replaced On Everybody Loves Raymond?
It is unclear why the original twins were replaced in Everybody Loves Raymond. It is possible that the original triplets, who were born in 1994, were too young for the parts. The Sweeten twins were one year older, which may have made them more suitable for the needs of the show.
However, another possibility is that it was easier for the director to have the Sweeten twins play the parts of Michael and Geoffrey because of their real-life connection with their sister Madylin.
Regardless of the real reason for the switch, the Ferreira twins were never again seen on screen after the pilot, and fans of Everybody Loves Raymond will forever remember the Sweeten twins as Raymond Barone's sons.
Where Are The Ferreira Twins Now?
Understandably, the young Ferreira triplets did not choose to remain in the acting world. Their filmography is limited to their one-time stint on the Everybody Loves Raymond pilot episode. All fans of the show know about them is that they hail from Southern California and have graduated from college.
Justin Ferreira graduated from California State University, while Drew and Amber Ferreira graduated from the University of Colorado Springs.
For his part, Sullivan Sweeten has appeared in other shows, although his last project dates back to 2017. It is unclear if he is still interested in acting. His sister, Madylin, is also retired from filming, her last project dating back to 2019.
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