Maggie Wheeler’s Daughter Took First Steps on ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ Set (Exclusive)
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Maggie Wheeler, famously known for her role in ‘Friends’, shared an exclusive story with PEOPLE about a special moment that happened on the set of the beloved sitcom ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’. Wheeler revealed that one of her daughters, Juno, took her first steps while she was filming the show. The actress reminisced about this milestone moment during an interview at the Paley Center’s 30th-anniversary celebration of the show.
During the Paley Center event in New York City, Wheeler expressed her gratitude for being present from the very beginning of her daughter’s first steps. She mentioned, “I’m so fortunate I was able to be there from the beginning. That’s where my daughter took her first steps, my first daughter.” Wheeler is a proud mother of two daughters, Juno and Gemma, whom she shares with her husband, Daniel Borden.
Recalling the heartwarming incident, Wheeler elaborated, “I was on the stage and my husband was with my baby. My daughter took her first steps and he didn’t know who to tell, so he carried her out onto the lot and it was dark. It was late at night. Only the security guard was out there and he said, ‘She walked! She’s walking.'”
The actress further expressed her excitement about being part of such a special moment in her personal life while also being actively involved in her professional career. Wheeler reflected on the early years of filming ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’, stating, “So many things happened during those early years. I am so excited that I was able to be part of it.”
The Paley Center’s 30th-anniversary celebration brought together the stars and creators of the show, including Ray Romano, Phil Rosenthal, Tom Caltabiano, for a panel discussion moderated by Rolling Stone’s Alan Sepinwall. Wheeler and fellow actress Patricia Heaton, who was also in the audience, shared their experiences of working on the show and the supportive environment it provided.
Wheeler commended the show’s inclusive and family-oriented work environment, highlighting how it was a blessing for her as an actress raising children. She mentioned, “It is a blessing, as an actress raising children when you get to work on a set that really embraces family. The show is about family. Everybody who made the show really was so supportive of each other and all the kids in the cast.”
‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ depicted the family dynamics of the Barone family, played by Romano and Heaton, along with their interactions with friends and loved ones. Wheeler’s character, Linda Gruenfelder, portrayed a close friend of Debra, played by Heaton, showcasing the strong bond between the characters on the show.
Overall, Wheeler’s story about her daughter’s first steps on the set of ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ adds a heartwarming touch to the behind-the-scenes moments of the beloved sitcom. The actress’s shared experience highlights the blend of personal and professional milestones that can occur in the entertainment industry, making it a memorable and cherished journey for those involved.