While studying acting in New York with drama teacher William Esper, Patricia Heaton made her Broadway debut in the gospel musical "Don't Get God Started." She and fellow students then formed Stage Three, an acting company that produced plays Off Broadway. They took one production, "The Johnstown Vindicator," to Los Angeles, where Heaton's performance caught the eyes of casting directors.

Consequently, Heaton portrayed the producer/daughter in the television series Room for Two. Her additional television credits include a starring role in the series Someone Like Me, a regular role in Women of the House, and a recurring role on thirtysomething. She also starred in the highly rated television movie "Miracle in the Woods," with Della Reese. Her feature film credits include "Memoirs of an Invisible Man," "Beethoven," "New Age" and "Space Jam."

For her role in Everybody Loves Raymond, she won an Emmy for "Leading Actress in a Comedy Series." She was nominated for a 1999 Emmy Award for "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series" and won the 1998-99 Viewers for Quality Television "Best Actress in a Quality Comedy" Award.

Heaton was born in Cleveland and now lives with her husband and four sons in Los Angeles. Her birth date is March 4.