An actor like Doris Roberts only comes along once in a long while. If you don’t believe us, just ask Phil Rosenthal, creator of Everybody Loves Raymond.

Roberts starred in the series as the lovable, overbearing mother, Marie Barone. Her character was a fan favorite, with many viewers remarking how much her character reminded them of their own mothers.

According to Roberts, the part of Marie Barone was incredibly sought after.

Watch Everybody Loves Raymond on MeTV!

ONE FULL HOUR

Weeknights at 9 PM & Sundays at 10 PM

*available in most MeTV markets

“Over 100 women had read for this part already,” the actor said during an interview with The Los Angeles Times. “I thought, ‘They don’t know what the hell they want,’ because you can’t read over 100 people and not know that somewhere in there was a wonderful actress,”

Despite the popularity of the project, Roberts was able to nail the audition on intuition alone. I just did it off the top of my head, with whatever instincts I had, and it was right on. It was exactly what they wanted...My name was on that one,” said Roberts. “All my friends read for it. In New York, all of them. They hate me for it.”

As an older woman, Roberts used her time on the series to show that talent was unmistakable, regardless of age. “The thing that really upsets me is the way in which the media treats older people,” said the actor. “Why are we talked about as old coots, old hags, over the hill? That’s wrong. They not only dismiss us, but they denigrate us. There’s no need for that.”

No matter what, Roberts never let her age slow her down. She was an actor, above all else. “Sure, I have bones that ache,” said Roberts. “Don’t we all? But when people ask why I work so hard, I tell them, ‘I’ll rest when I’m dead.’”