Peter Boyle RIP

The 'Young Frankenstein' star dies after a battle with heart disease.

Dec 14 2006

Star of stage and screen Peter Boyle has died following a battle with heart disease and multiple myeloma. He was 71.

Boyle's long and varied career included stints in theatre, film and television, playing comedy, horror, thriller and drama with equal commitment and intensity.

He started out working with the legendary Chicago improv troupe 'Second City' before coming to public prominence as the title character in the 1970 drama 'Joe'.

He reached a whole new audience four years later playing the all-singing, all-dancing monster in Mel Brooks' brilliant 'Young Frankenstein'.

Other film roles included 'Medium Cool', 'The Candidate', 'Taxi Driver', 'Honeymoon in Vegas', 'While You Were Sleeping' and 'Monster's Ball', while he recently experienced small screen success in the hugely popular sitcom 'Everybody Loves Raymond'.

Doris Roberts, who played Boyle's wife in the show, issued a statement saying 'It's like losing a spouse. I'm going to miss my dear friend, so unlike the character he played on television. He's a brilliant actor, a gentleman, incredibly intelligent, wonderfully well-read and a loving friend.'