Comedian Ray Romano celebrates his 52nd birthday today!

Ray is best known for the hit CBS series, Everybody Loves Raymond — and based on the highly successful 9 year run, everybody really does love Raymond! In fact, throughout its final 5 seasons the show’s ratings never fell out of the top 10!

To learn a little bit more about one of America’s funniest man, check out TV Guide! In the meantime, here are some facts on today’s birthday boy.

Ray Romano Facts:

• Attended high school with Fran Drescher; years later appeared as Ray Barone on her sitcom The Nanny.
• Studied accounting for seven years in college, but never graduated.
• Met his wife when both were working as tellers at a bank.
• In 1989, won $10,000 in a standup competition.
• Originally cast to costar on NewsRadio, but was replaced after two rehearsals by Joe Rogan.
• Big break came in 1994 with an appearance on Late Show with David Letterman, which led to the development of his hit sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond.
• When Everybody Loves Raymond ended in 2005, he was the highest paid actor in TV history, earning $1.7 million per episode.