Ally Romano and her husband Zachary Wilezol have thrilled family and friends with the announcement of the arrival of their first child, a son named Rex Roman Wilezol, born on February 25, 2026. This joyful news has also made Ray Romano, Ally’s father and renowned actor, a proud grandfather for the first time.
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Ally, who is 35 years old, took to Instagram on March 25 to share the heartwarming news with her followers. In her post, she celebrated one month with her little boy, Rex, describing him as having “very long legs, massive hands, a full head of hair, and the most perfect lips.” She reflected on the challenges of new parenthood while expressing her deep love for her son, stating, “Although it wasn’t the start to parenthood we imagined, our strong, very big boy has shown us a new meaning to love.” Accompanying the message was a photograph of Rex, donning blue striped pyjama pants next to a print of his tiny footprints.
Ray Romano, 68, is not only the father of Ally but also shares three other children, twins Matthew and Gregory, aged 33, and youngest son Joseph, 28, with his wife Anna Romano. In recent appearances, he has expressed his excitement about becoming a grandparent. During an interview on “Today”, he shared his intention to be called “Papa Ray”, following the family tradition established by his own father, “Papa Al”.
The star of “Everybody Loves Raymond” has fondly described grandparenthood, saying, “I hear it’s the best thing in the world because it’s like being a parent—you get to play with them, and when they smell, you can give them back.” This light-hearted take reflects the joy he anticipates in his new role.
Ray’s own experience with fatherhood was not without its share of trepidation. He has previously recounted the chaotic moments he faced when Ally was born, admitting to feeling overwhelmed. “I went to pick them up, my wife and child, and [with my] newborn baby in my arms, I go outside and [ask] ‘Where’s my minivan?’ I parked in a tow-away zone so we had to go to Queens in a yellow cab,” he reminisced, admitting that his daughter came home from the hospital in a taxi.
Ally’s romance with Zachary Wilezol began in May 2021 when they met through mutual friends at a bar. Reflecting on their first encounter, she recalled how Zachary accidentally spilled a drink on her and complimented her resemblance to Carmela Soprano, a character from “The Sopranos”. She humorously added, “There’s more to that story!”
After nearly two years of dating, Zachary proposed to Ally at her apartment on April 14, 2023. The couple celebrated the engagement with a casual dinner and a trip to see the Broadway show “Shucked”. This laid-back approach seems to have set the tone for their relationship.
Ally and Zachary tied the knot on September 21, 2024, in a ceremony held at the iconic New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue. She described their wedding day as “the wedding of my dreams” and praised the team that helped bring her visions to life. “I could not have worked with a better team and have my vision executed in any other way,” she said.
The arrival of baby Rex has not only transformed Ally and Zachary’s lives but has also brought immense joy to Ray Romano, who looks forward to sharing in precious moments with his grandson. As he embarks on this new chapter, Ray continues to share insights that reflect both his humour and warmth, promising a bright future for the new family member. With Ally and Zachary stepping into parenthood and Ray embracing his role as a grandfather, this new beginning is sure to be filled with cherished memories and laughter.