As he grew older, Peter Boyle refused to slow down. The actor enjoyed a fruitful film career, and after pivoting to television, became a small-screen star as Frank Barone on the popular series Everybody Loves Raymond.

Despite the success, Boyle had been through his fair share of difficult moments. “I’ve been through nervous periods,” said the actor during an interview with the Associated Press. “And I had two bouts of illness.”

The actor recalled how a stroke paused his career, rendering him unable to speak or act for a prolonged period of time. “I couldn’t talk right for six months,” said Boyle. “I couldn’t work for almost a year.”

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Boyle also had a heart attack while working on the set of Everybody Loves Raymond. Though it was a harrowing experience, Boyle was able to regain his health quickly. In fact, he also credited the experience with giving him a new lease on life. “I was lucky, and I never lost consciousness, and I got help right away,” said the actor. “But I was thinking, ‘Oh! My life is so great now! Why? Why?’”

Both experiences taught Boyle a valuable lesson. “I survived it. And I gotta tell ya: I am really seriously close to my medication every day.”

After those scares, the actor found he was able to better appreciate life. Afterward, he spent more time with the people who truly mattered, like his family. “The other side is, I’m living in a golden time now,” said the actor. I’m working. I take trips to London and Paris. I can afford medication. I have a good life.”