Brad Garrett

Brad Garrett – Biography, Career & Legacy

Discover the life and career of Brad Garrett (born April 14, 1960), the American actor and comedian best known for Everybody Loves Raymond, voice roles in animated films, and his stand-up work. Explore his early life, major roles, style, and lessons.

Introduction

Brad Garrett is an American actor and comedian whose deep voice, towering stature, and sharp comedic timing have made him memorable both on screen and behind the microphone. While many know him as Robert Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond, Garrett has built a versatile career—ranging from sitcoms and films to voice acting, stand-up, and producing. His path reflects persistence, reinvention, and a willingness to embrace different mediums of performance.

Early Life & Background

Brad Garrett was born Brad H. Gerstenfeld on April 14, 1960 in Oxnard, California. He grew up in Woodland Hills, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, with two brothers, Jeff and Paul.

In school, Garrett attended George Ellery Hale Middle School and later El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills. UCLA, but dropped out after about six weeks to focus on a career in comedy.

Even early on, his height and deep voice made him stand out: he is reported to be about 6′ 8½″ (≈ 204 cm) tall.

Comedy Beginnings & Breakthrough

Garrett began performing stand-up in the early 1980s, appearing at clubs around Los Angeles—venues like The Improv and The Ice House.

A pivotal moment came in 1984, when he competed on the talent show Star Search. He won the grand championship in the comedy category—earning both recognition and opportunity. Star Search victory led to an invitation to perform on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, which raised his national profile.

From there, Garrett gradually moved into television and film roles, initially with smaller or supporting parts, building toward his signature TV role.

Rise to Fame: Everybody Loves Raymond and Beyond

Everybody Loves Raymond (1996–2005)

Garrett’s most iconic role is Robert Barone, the sarcastic, larger-than-life older brother to Ray Romano’s Raymond. The show premiered in 1996 and ran for nine seasons.

His performance earned him three Primetime Emmy Awards (2002, 2003, 2005) for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, plus other nominations.

Later TV & Leading Roles

After Raymond, Garrett continued in television:

• He led the sitcom 'Til Death (2006–2010), playing Eddie Stark.

• More recently, he starred in Single Parents (2018–2020) on ABC.

• He has also appeared in guest or recurring roles in many TV shows and contributed voice roles in animated series.

Film & Voice Acting

Garrett’s voice is distinctive, making him a sought-after actor in animation and family films. Some notable voice roles include:

• Bloat in Finding Nemo (2003)

• A role in Ratatouille (2007)

• Appearances in Tangled, Garfield, The Pacifier, Elio (2025) and others.

He’s also acted in live-action films; for example, he starred in The Pacifier opposite Vin Diesel.

Garrett’s filmography is extensive, spanning TV, animation, voiceover, and live-action roles.

Other Ventures

• He owns Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club in Las Vegas (MGM Grand).

• He has performed regularly at his club and remains active in stand-up.

• He has also participated in poker tournaments (e.g., Celebrity Poker Showdown) and made appearances in competitive events.

Style, Strengths & Persona

Brad Garrett’s success blends a number of traits and strengths:

• Commanding presence & voice: His height and deep, resonant voice make him immediately recognizable and add weight to comic delivery.

• Versatility: He moves comfortably between stand-up, sitcom, voice acting, and ensemble work.

• Comedic timing & character work: Garrett often plays characters who are larger-than-life (literally or figuratively) and uses understatement, sarcasm, and timing to good effect.

• Resilience and evolution: From comedy clubs to television stardom, his career shows adaptation to changing opportunities.

• Professionalism and reinvention: Even after his signature show ended, he continued working in various genres and media.

Personal Life

Garrett’s personal life has had its share of changes:

• In 1999, he married Jill Diven (whom he proposed to on the set of Everybody Loves Raymond). They had two children—a son and a daughter.

• The couple separated in 2005; divorce was filed and finalized in 2007.

• In 2008, he began a relationship with IsaBeall Quella. The two were engaged in December 2015 and married November 11, 2021.

Garrett has been open about his struggles with alcoholism, describing himself as a “high-functioning alcoholic” early in his career.

Impact & Legacy

• Iconic TV character: Robert Barone remains one of the more enduring supporting characters in sitcom history, often rewatched and quoted.

• Voice work in popular films: Through roles in Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, Tangled, and more, Garrett’s work reaches new generations.

• Bridging stage and screen: As both comic performer and character actor, he demonstrates how performers can diversify.

• Contribution to comedy culture: Through his stand-up work, his club, and his sustained presence, Garrett continues to influence comedic performance.

• Professional longevity: From the 1980s to the present, his career demonstrates the value of adapting to new formats and roles.

Lessons from Brad Garrett’s Career

1. Use what’s distinctive about you – Garrett turned his height and voice, features that might have made him self-conscious, into strengths and trademarks.

2. Be adaptable – He shifted from stand-up to sitcoms to voice acting, embracing opportunities across media.

3. Persist through ups and downs – Success in one medium doesn’t guarantee forever status; continuous reinvention is key.

4. Diversify your work – Running a comedy club, doing voice roles, and staying active in performance helped him maintain relevance.

5. Balance public success and private growth – Garrett’s honest discussion of personal struggles shows that even successful performers face internal challenges.