Frank Barone

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Frank Oscar Barone is a fictional character from the American TV sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. He was played by the late actor Peter Boyle (1935-2006). A retired bookkeeper with a stubborn masculine personality, Frank was the breadwinner of the house and Marie would cook meals for him. The homophobic Frank lacks manners (for example, he drinks orange juice directly from the container) and constantly complains about his relationship with his wife Marie, though in some episodes he does demonstrate a sort of love towards her. When it's revealed as to why had to get married and Marie says that they were in love, Frank bluntly says "I wanted sex." He often calls his sons names like "Shirley" or "Nancy" when they are not tough enough by his standards. He is nearly always rude towards his wife when asking for things, especially food or beer. He is a war veteran, having served in the military during the Korean War which he frequently brings up as examples of survival to the annoyance of his sons, and a Freemason who was named Man of the Year by his Lodge. Like Marie, who is sometimes perceived to have her heart in the right place, Frank also has shown responsibility and respect to others in time of need, particularly Debra since he understands her attitude toward Marie. He also dreams to sing like Tony Bennett. He is also very perceptive; he knows full well about the family's problems and why they occur, but doesn't really care whether or not they get resolved (he once nonchalantly pointed out the entire reason why the family fights- Debra married Raymond and Marie "can't get over it"- simply to stop a therapist from bothering him). But despite this crummy attitude, it's obvious that Frank loves his family, although he's completely uncomfortable saying it. Particular highlights that show Frank's softer side include a spontaneous gesture of giving Raymond money to treat the kids to a day at the zoo, taking the fall for Debra over a missing keepsake that Marie adores or trying to comfort a despondent Robert after an ugly family confrontation about his failed relationships.

He is possibly named after Gene Wilder's character in Young Frankenstein, where Peter Boyle played the Creature. Gene Wilder's character's full name is Frederick Barone Frankenstein. Frank Barone is also prone to grunting animalistically like his movie counterpart.

Frank is extremely protective of his own things, particularly food and money. One particular episode has Frank holding a grudge against Raymond over his prized jazz records that Raymond was believed to have destroyed, which was later discovered to be Robert. In one episode, when Marie reverses their car into Ray and Debra's house, Frank seems oblivious to the damage caused to his son's house; instead complaining that one of his tail lights has been broken.

[edit] Quotes

"Nice, tried it once, didn't care for it.!"
"Holy crap!"
"Marie, beer!"
(To his sons) "Hello, ladies!"
"What in hell's bathroom was that?!"
"I'll fight any one of you now!"
(About his son) "That's one special kind of idiot."
(Not knowing his friend was talking about chocolate) "What's with Carelli saying he likes me hot with marshmallows?"
"What in the holy name of crap are you talking about?"
"You're having a Chinese themed party? After what those guys did to me in Korea!"
(To Marie) "You're a trophy wife? What contest in hell did I win?"
(About his son) "My little girl Raymond."
(To Debra) "Is that some of your "I'm okay, you're okay" hippie crap?"
(On his son's sex life) "Listen, Sonny. If you're having trouble making the wee whacki woo hoo...you didn't get that from me."
"I'm gonna start scratching!"
"Sweet crap!"
(To Raymond about T.V. interview and raising/lowering your voice)"I would really love a dill pickle. (pause) Marie! Pickle!
"I'm flipping you off in my head." (Points top of head to Marie, Raymond follows)
"Well ain't this a kick in the ass!"
"You don't know a monkey wrench from a monkey's ass, do you son?."
(Commenting on Ray's TV appearance) "I could've eaten a box of Alpha Bits and crapped a better interview."
(During silence between Marie and Debra) "It's like in Korea."
(Helping with Robert's wedding invitations) "Attention, Idiots."
(To his sons) "Alright Nancy..." or "Okay Nancy.."
(After Marie finds out he sold half of their joint burial plot) "Well I figured, if you went first, you couldn't yell at me. And if I went first yell all you want!"
(After being asked by Marie why he has not repaired a broken utensil in the house despite being nagged by Marie for years) "If I did, it would be proving that nagging works!"
(About Harriet Lichman) "Ah! Harriet!
(To Robert in the loss of taste episode) "So why don't you put on a dress and do a dance?"