Though she can grate on the nerves at times, no one can deny that Marie Barone is a mother who cares. At its core, Everybody Loves Raymond is a show about family, for better or for worse, and Doris Roberts embodied that when she played Marie.

“I know a lot about being a meddlesome mom because I’ve played that role in real life and on the stage and screen,” said Roberts during an interview with The Tampa Tribune. “I’m smarter than Marie because I know when to keep my mouth shut."

Roberts acknowledged that Marie could be testing all too often and was careful with her performance, lest the audience turn on her. “I walk a thin line playing Marie, and it’s tough because she could be horrific. What she says would be mean, but she means well. She loves her boys, Ray and Robert, and wants only the best for them - but what she thinks is best is not what they want for themselves.”

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However, being an older woman herself, Roberts saw a kindred spirit in Marie. “I love Marie because I understand her,” said Roberts. “If things had turned out differently, I might have been Marie. Women of my age group were told by society to get married early and have babies. After the kids were grown, their usefulness was fulfilled, and that was pretty much what they could expect from life.”

Luckily, Roberts never allowed society to dictate her life. “I tell people, ‘Don’t give up’ and ‘Don’t settle for less,’” said the actor. “Getting older had been a wonderful thing for my courage because you have nothing to lose by standing your ground.”