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Child actor Sawyer Sweeten played the role of Geoffrey Barone on the beloved CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond for nine seasons between September 1996 and May 2005. His real-life identical twin, Sullivan Sweeten, played the role of Michael Barone. Together, they were called the Barone twins.
On April 23, 2015, Sawyer Sweeten died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, less than a month before his 20th birthday. At the time, he was visiting his family in Austin, Texas.
His twin, Sullivan Sweeten, 30, recently joined the cast of Everybody Loves Raymond for the show’s 30th anniversary reunion special. It will air on CBS and Paramount+ on November 24.
Everything to know about Sawyer Sweeten
Sullivan and Sawyer Sweeten were born in Brownwood, Texas, in May 1995, to Elizabeth Millsap and Timothy Sweeten. The twins have two sisters, Madylin (born in 1991) and Maysa. The family later moved to California when the twins were 6 months old.
When Sullivan and Sawyer were cast as Barone twins on Everybody Loves Raymond, they were 16 months old. Together, they appeared in 139 episodes. Meanwhile, Madylin played their onscreen elder sister Ally Barone. The three real-life siblings attended the American Comedy Awards in LA in 2001.
After the show ended, the twins shared the character of Milton on the 2000 Disney series, Even Stevens, followed by the role of Young Frank on the 2002 movie, Frank McKlusky, C.I.
Later, Sullivan appeared in the 2017 short, Casting. Sawyer, however, remained away from the limelight until his death. They shared a house in Riverside, California.
Following Sawyer Sweeten’s suicide at 19, Madylin shared a public statement via her publicist.
"This morning, a terrible family tragedy has occurred. We are devastated to report that our beloved brother, son, and friend, Sawyer Sweeten, took his own life. He was weeks away from his 20th birthday. At this sensitive time, our family requests privacy, and we beg of you to reach out to the ones you love."
She later took to Facebook and wrote:
“At this time, I would like to encourage everyone to reach out to the ones you love. Let them have no doubt of what they mean to you.”
In a statement to People Magazine, Madylin said that Sawyer Sweeten was “more than just a brother,” he was a “strong and selfless friend” who always had the “kindest words of encouragement.” The actress added that her late brother would live on in her memories forever.
The younger sister, Maysa, also told the publication:
"Although my memories of my brother hurt now, they are some of the best I've ever had and deserve to live on in my mind and in the minds of my family forever. There isn't a single day I won't miss him. Until we meet again, big bro, I love you!"
Meanwhile, Sullivan did not break his silence on the tragedy until last year, when he fondly remembered his twin in an interview.
"Life must go on, but Sawyer will always remain in my heart," he said.
Actor Ray Romano, who played the role of Barone family patriarch, Ray Barone, remembered his onscreen son as a “wonderful and sweet kid to be around.”
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Sullivan Sweeten appeared in the reunion special with other Everybody Loves Raymond cast members, including his sister Madylin Sweeten, Brad Garrett, Patricia Heaton, Monica Horan, and Ray Romano.
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