Patricia Heaton ‘back with family’ for BAYarts fundraiser

Patricia Heaton listens as Dick Feagler reads a passage from her book, "Motherhood and Hollywood: How to Get a Job Like Mine" at a fundraising event on the BAYarts campus July 6.

Bay Village native Patricia Heaton was the guest of honor at a BAYarts fundraising event on July 6. The Hollywood actress, who is well-known for her Emmy Award-winning role on the television series “Everybody Loves Raymond,” still maintains strong ties to the community. Heaton returns to Bay Village often with her husband, David Hunt, and four sons.

She was interviewed by Dick Feagler in front of a live audience of BAYarts supporters and her fans (some of whom came from as far away as Mentor to see their favorite actress). Feagler, a former columnist for The Plain Dealer and host of “Feagler & Friends,” is also a Bay resident.

The event raised $5,000 for the restoration of the Irene Lawrence Fuller House on the BAYarts campus, with completion scheduled to coincide with the Bay Bicentennial in October.

Heaton was relaxed and engaging throughout the casual interview. She discussed her career, ranging from her first role at Huntington Playhouse to her current starring spot on the ABC sitcom “The Middle.” She also explained the long process of scripting, auditions and casting that are part of bringing a television series to the airwaves.

At the end of the hourlong interview, Heaton took questions from the audience. She touched on a number of topics, including how she balances her work and family life, the difference between working on a multiple-camera show ("Raymond") versus a single-camera show ("The Middle") and the precarious nature of working in show business.

Heaton was also asked what she misses most about Bay, since she lives full time in Los Angeles.

“When we come here with our kids, they can just get on their bikes and go anywhere – ride to the pool, ride to Dairy Queen, go outside and we don’t have to worry about them,” she responded. “It’s just a safe place to be ... very relaxed. It really is idyllic.”

She went on to describe some of the interactions she has had that exemplify the warm, friendly nature of the people in her hometown. In one instance, Heaton recalled that her husband “was so impressed once when we stopped at a crosswalk to let some girls go by and they all waved and said, ‘Thank you!’ And he was so taken aback, he couldn’t get over it. It’s those kinds of things that just make you realize you’re back with family.”

Heaton also credited her experiences growing up in Bay as important to her development as an actress and credited the community for its support of the arts.

“I think it was a great opportunity to do plays here, to get exposed to the arts and I think that’s why I’m so happy to be here and be supporting all of this and how far it’s all come and I think there’s so much more to exploit as far as this setting and the talent that’s here and the commitment from the community is amazing.”

Heaton wrapped up her answer about Bay with one sentence that says it all: “I just love everything about it.”