Patricia Heaton Has Lost Potential Roles Because of Her Politics

By Rob Shuter Posted May 18th 2011 11:25PM

Known around left-leaning Hollywood for her conservative stances on weighty issues like abortion and stem cells, 'Everybody Loves Raymond' star Patricia Heaton is happy to explain how important her Christian faith is to her and how it shapes her views and career choices.

"My feeling is all these things come from God and as long as I know I'm staying in line with Him, I don't have to worry if there is backlash," she told me during a visit to AOL's New York offices. "God will open any doors he wants to open and if he closes doors that's fine to."

Telling me that she has many gay friends and doesn't oppose gay marriage, Patricia gets frustrated being automatically lumped together with other conservatives, a characterization she says has cost her possible work.

"We know for a fact there are some people who have said they wouldn't want to work with us because of our politics," she said, with her husband David Hunt adding, "We get lumped in with lunatics."

So instead, Patricia has teamed up with her director-husband to produce and distribute their own show, 'Versailles,' a new 8-part comedy web series airing on My Damn Channel. Patricia plays a deceased B-movie actress whose presence looms large over her two children (one played by David) as they produce a public access talk show. Watch the first episode below.

"Around the house if he ties to tell me how to do something I say don't tell me, don't control me. But when we did this he was terrific as a director. I was nervous about having him direct me," Patricia tells me.

"I don't think I could have afforded her if we weren't married," David jokes. "I was a bigger star then she was when I met her. She owes me. I took a decade off my career to raise the kids. Plus, a big bonus is she gets to sleep with the director."

It wasn't until she hit 35 that Patricia's career really took and she spent years struggling and sleeping on friends' futons before 'Raymond' made her rich and famous.

She also isn't at all surprised that the Britneys and Lindsays of the world crash and burn being so success so young.

"Too much money and too many 'yes' people around you at early age. Fame didn't come to me until I got married and had kids. When we got married neither of us had anything," Patricia tells me. "I've let go of needing to be an to an actor so if that pipeline shuts down I wouldn't be upset. I'm perfectly happy."

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Tags: David Hunt, Patricia Heaton, Versailles

Comments

(618)

Wednesday 18 May

By chefacree

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Religon is the most divisive force on the planet. Keep your religon but keep it to yourself. PLEASE!

By turbogtrmstr

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Why, Why should she? The gays talk and talk, the politicians talk and talk and cheat, Why should she, she believes, if you don't like it, go away!WHAT A BUNCH OF DARN HYPOCRITES YOU ALL ARE.

By Nedora

You ARE your religion. It effects what you say and how you say it. You don't have to preach, you just live your faith and when people notice and ask then you tell them what guides you. Sounds to me that thats what Patricia Heaton does.

By cat5400

All religions teach "sharing" your beliefs. No one says you have to pay attention, but she has every right to talk about whatever she wants.

By bigD

It's nice to see someone in Hollywood with conventional Christian beliefs. And I'm glad she is supportive of gay marriage. But that haircut is a sin. LOL

By acemkr9

Same with your gaydom! Who the hell care who's gay, christian or athiest!

By Tripp

Faith is all about who we are. I am glad Patricia talks about and followers her values. It does appear many in Hollywood don't have any morals. Everyone else is allowed to talk about what they support and believe, so should someone of faith!

Thursday 19 May

By AAMOZ

I'm gay and I've known about PH's politics for years, way back to when ELR was still making new episodes. Sure, I may disagree with her politics and the religious nonsense, but the woman is a FANTASTIC actress, and I would LOVE to see her again in any media because of her TALENT! Go Patty!

Saturday 21 May

By Chris

It seems that only if your "Religion" (which is not what she is talking about here, but a relationship with God) is not in agreeing with the main stream of people, then it is wrong. I for one am glad to see this refreshing point of view from hollywood. I agree with all of you, Religions (Man made orginizations for the purpose of showing how Righteous we are) is wrong, God does not want Religion He wants Relatiomships) Go Patrica, I agree and support you and your husband.

By lillymckim

Its like a TV show you don't have to like it and you just don't listen to it or believe in it
like she does with the Progressives and Limo Liberals in Hollowwood always preaching their non religious, anything goes ... no values..big government views on her ... maybe she is sick of hearing their views as well it works both ways ya' know

Good for Patricia and David they have values ... something you can't buy on Rodeo Drive
no matter how much money you make

By Enough

If you want others to keep their religion to themselves, please keep your own narrow, hateful views to yourself as well -- hypocrite!

By mary

God bless Patricia Heaton. She is my hero. She is decent, and she gets trashed for being so. We love her show.

By ant

typical tolerant liberal....J A C K A S S

By Melinda

Yes, we should ALL keep our religions to ourselves and that includes our LACK of religion too. Keep it out of the workplace, everyone! It has nothing to do with one's ability to do a job.

By vickie

yes,religion should stay in your church and in your home....don't shove it down my throat...i don't agree with patricia and I don't think she is that great a actress...Of all places to pick a career.... in acting....people who do that really want to sway...they just don't admit it.....patricia should maybe try another line of work.....

By Jeff

I'm not going into a diatribe with footnotes and verses but God did create an organized religion, He does not force anyone to partake, although the punishment for not doing so is also offered! There is little that man does that is not organized, for good reason, so why some think having a "relationship" with God can be done without organized religious values is absurd and simply not possible.

By TomHornbuckleJr

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Abortion is murder. Have to oppose it. Keep that to yourself?

By dan

Hey I am a gay male and I think she shouldnt have to keep her religion to herself. If you believe in something you are allowed to give you stance on it. I dont have to agree but I do have to show you the respect you deserve and allow you to have your feelings on an issue, as I should get the same respect, so should ms heaton

By Lee

cat5400, No you are wrong in making that statement. My faith does not go out and "spread the word" People seek us out by asking, you're different than most people, what is it that makes you the way you handle yourself? By the way, if it makes any difference, my faith is Asatru one of the oldest faiths in the world. You should read up on us, there are 14 million of us here in the USA.

By sally

Why is it that the only people who cannot flaunt or force their beliefs on others without being discriminated against are Christians. Even the public school district I work for allows teaching about other beliefs but mention that you are a Christian & boom you are forcing your beliefs & may offend someone. Well, I am offended & discriminated against because of WHO I am. It may not be due to the color of my skin or who I choose to sleep with, but it is discrimination all the same. So, don't me tell to shut up when everyone else on the planet gets to talk about what they want to!

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