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."

► Follow @NaughtyNiceRob on Twitter!

Tags: David Hunt, Patricia Heaton, Versailles

Comments

(618)

Saturday 21 May

By Mike

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Evil is the most devisive force on the planet. Jesus Christ and His Beatitudes are the most unifying. If all tried to live them this would be a great world. Love the sinner, hate the sin. There is only one Truth. Chill and humble yourself before God.

By Ray

If Mother Teresa was here what would you say to her. I find people who say religion is divisive are the ones most often to through the first stone then point the finger of guilt. Point the finger of guilt while they stand around doing nothing.

By msgypsyheart

Think about it - It isn't the RELIGION that's divisive, it's the PEOPLE that misrepresent their religion that makes it divisive. And no one needs to keep their religion quiet if they choose not to; they don't need to push their religion on others,but they don't need to keep quiet for your benefit. I'm sure plenty of people don't like to hear about your soulless existence, but they don't have the right to tell you to keep it quiet either.

By Lin

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I feel the same way about your gaydom,keep it to yourself!!!!

By Carol

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

I agree with chefacree. I don't care what your religion is and I could care less what goes on behind closed doors between two or more consenting adults, but I don't want either shoved down my throat. What ever happened to privacy?? Why would anyont want to wear their lives on their sleeves??

By JoJo

Exactly, She is brave to be speaking out. She is the wise one as the libs, gays etc are the lunatics. Give me a break. Lame Stream Media & Hollyrude are the nuts.

By Doug

Yes, you are what you believe, or disbelieve, and it is a breathe of fresh air to see a high profile celebrity willing to stand up for her beliefs. Kudos to this lady.

By James

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I agree with you there. It is just another one of Hollywood's
HAS BEENS openning up her mouth over an issue where if she were a good christian she would know her " PLACE " and shut the " F" up. But as usual she has to draw attention to herself because she no longer can get her " FIfteen minutes of fame per episode " as she did when she wasy with Raymond. She should just Fade back under the porch where she came from and resume being the " FUGLY TROLL " she was before she went on TV.

By shari hodges

Why should she? Nobody else in Hollywood does, especially Tom Cruise.

By Donuta

I feel the same way about gays, keep it to themselves and don't subject the rest of the planet to their views!

By Kevin

You sound like one of those "kill the babies, save the animals" liberal athiests that think they are the center of the universe. Yeah, that too is a religion. It's called Secular Humanism. So, stop preaching YOUR religion.

By Robert

Fine, and let's make sure those who follow the (failed) religion of leftism do the same.

By Celeste

Why....does the light shine in your eyes?

By Mason younG

Vote down Vote up Report this

you speak my mind...
your brilliant.
Religion is the Politcs of the Spirit.
Politics gets in the way of Government, especially when Government isn't seprate from Religion, although both were created for the same end...

By Ronald DeLano

But I thought liberals were inclusive, tolerant people. Surely they would not exclude her because of her personal beliefs?

By WADE

. . . and keep your Atheism to yourself.

By enstncls

What is "religon"? You mentioned it twice.

By John Rentz

Why?

By getreal13

She didn't say anything about religion you uneducated fool; she said faith. If you would stop to think, before you run your mouth, you would know those are two different things. You can be a Christian without belonging to any denomination.

By Wolfhound

I like my religion and I keep it to myself, just like I hope you do. I don't want to hear about every wackjob on the planet's beliefs. Ms. Heaton could improve her lot in life by just reading the dictionary's definition of "tolerance".

Page 2 of 31