Doris Roberts was one of the most loved actresses on American TV. Many people know her as Marie Barone, the funny and bossy mother on Everybody Loves Raymond. But not many people know much about her real family. Doris had one child, a son named Michael Cannata Jr. He grew up away from the camera, but he still built a strong career in Hollywood. This article looks at his life, his family, and his work behind the scenes.
Quick Bio For Michael Cannata Jr.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michael Robert Cannata Jr. |
| Date of Birth | March 18, 1957 |
| Parents | Doris Roberts (mother) and Michael Cannata Sr. (father) |
| Stepfather | William Goyen (writer) |
| Education | New Lincoln School, Northfield Mount Hermon School, Texas A&M University |
| Field of Study | Agricultural Journalism |
| Occupation | TV producer, talent manager |
| Known Work | Brothers (1984), Hollywood Squares (1998), Call Me Mrs. Miracle (2010) |
| Spouse | Jane A. Jasper Cannata (married since 1985) |
| Children | Three (Kelsey, Andrew, and Devon) |
| Current Residence | Redondo Beach, California |
Early Life and Family
Michael Cannata Jr. was born on March 18, 1957. He is the only child of Doris Roberts and her first husband, Michael Cannata Sr. His parents got married in 1956 but their marriage did not last long. They divorced in 1962, when Michael was still very young. After the divorce, his mother got custody, and he was mostly raised by her.
Growing up as the son of a working actress was not always easy. Doris Roberts worked hard to build her acting career during the 1960s and 1970s, long before she became famous for Everybody Loves Raymond. Michael watched his mother go through many years of hard work before she found real success. This may be one reason why he later chose to work in the entertainment industry too, but from behind the camera rather than in front of it.
In 1963, Doris married her second husband, writer William Goyen. Goyen became Michael’s stepfather. Sadly, Goyen died in 1983 from leukemia. Doris did not remarry after that and stayed single for the rest of her life.
Education
Michael went to the New Lincoln School and later to Northfield Mount Hermon School, a private school in Massachusetts. After finishing high school, he studied at Texas A&M University. There, he focused on agricultural journalism, which is a mix of writing and communication skills connected to farming and rural topics. It was also at Texas A&M where Michael met his future wife, Jane A. Jasper, who was studying industrial distribution at the same school.
Career in Entertainment
Unlike his mother, Michael Cannata Jr. did not become an actor. Instead, he chose to work behind the scenes as a producer and talent manager. Over the years, he worked on several television projects. His credits include Brothers (1984), Hollywood Squares (1998), and Call Me Mrs. Miracle (2010). He also worked as a coordinating producer for Sony Pictures Television and as a co-producer for CBS Studios.
For much of his mother’s later career, Michael also served as her manager. This meant he helped guide her career choices and business decisions, especially during the years she starred in Everybody Loves Raymond. Working closely with his mother gave the two of them a strong bond, both as family and as business partners.
Even though he grew up with a famous parent, Michael did not try to use his mother’s name to get ahead in an easy way. Instead, he built his own path in production work, learning the business side of Hollywood rather than chasing the spotlight.
Personal Life
Michael Cannata Jr. married Jane A. Jasper on October 5, 1985. Jane is from Alvin, Texas, and like Michael, she also attended Texas A&M University. The couple has been married for many years and has three children together: Kelsey, Andrew, and Devon. These three grandchildren were very important to Doris Roberts, who often spoke about how proud she was of them.
Michael and his family live in Redondo Beach, California, a coastal city not far from Los Angeles. He has always kept a fairly private lifestyle, even though his mother was a well-known celebrity. He rarely gives interviews and stays away from public events, choosing instead to focus on his family and his work.
Relationship with His Mother
Doris Roberts often spoke warmly about her son. In her 2005 memoir, Are You Hungry, Dear? Life, Laughs, and Lasagna, co-written with Danelle Morton, she talked about the important men in her life, and Michael was one of them. The two were seen together at several public events over the years, including the Primetime Emmy Awards Nominees Pre-Party in 1992 and the Peace Over Violence Humanitarian Awards Dinner in 2006.
Doris Roberts passed away on April 17, 2016, at the age of 90. She died peacefully in her sleep, and it was Michael who found her and shared the sad news with the family’s spokeswoman, Janet Daily. In the days after her death, many of her former co-stars, including Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, and Brad Garrett, shared kind words about her. Michael, along with his wife Jane and their three children, were named as her survivors in the news reports that followed.
A little more than a year after Doris passed away, her Hollywood Hills home was put up for sale for about 2.45 million dollars. The house had been her home for many years and held many memories for the family.
Life Today
As of recent years, Michael Cannata Jr. continues to live a quiet life away from the media. He still resides in Redondo Beach, California, and he has not sought public attention since his mother’s passing. His career in production and talent management remains part of his professional history, even though he is not actively featured in entertainment news today.
Michael’s story shows that not everyone connected to a famous family wants to be in the spotlight. He chose a path where he could support the industry his mother loved, while also keeping his personal life private and focused on his own family.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Michael Cannata Jr.? He is the only son of actress Doris Roberts, best known for her role as Marie Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond.
2. When was Michael Cannata Jr. born? He was born on March 18, 1957.
3. Who are Michael Cannata Jr.’s parents? His mother is Doris Roberts, and his father is Michael Cannata Sr. They divorced in 1962.
4. Did Michael Cannata Jr. become an actor like his mother? No. He chose to work behind the scenes as a TV producer and talent manager instead.
5. Is Michael Cannata Jr. married? Yes, he has been married to Jane A. Jasper since October 5, 1985. They have three children.
6. Did Michael Cannata Jr. manage his mother’s career? Yes, he served as Doris Roberts’ manager, especially during her later career.
7. Where does Michael Cannata Jr. live now? He lives in Redondo Beach, California.
8. Was Michael Cannata Jr. with his mother when she passed away? He was the one who found her and informed the family spokeswoman after she died in her sleep on April 17, 2016.
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