Ray Romano arrived on the set of Everybody Loves Raymond fearing he could lose another sitcom job.

Admitting he was "terrified" after previously being fired from the cast of NewsRadio before filming on the show even properly began, the comedian and actor, 68, reflected on the early days of the Emmy-winning comedy during a reunion panel at the 2026 ATX TV Festival in Austin, Texas.

Ray actor reunited with Everybody Loves Raymond creator Phil Rosenthal and several of the show's original writers, including Tom Caltabiano, Tucker Cawley, Mike Royce, Lew Schneider, Steve Skrovan and Aaron Shure for the event, after the sitcom, which ran from 1996 to 2005, became one of the defining American comedies of its era, earning 69 Emmy nominations and 15 wins.

Looking back on his first day filming the sitcom, Ray said: "I was doing stand-up for a living. A couple acting opportunities came up, and one of them was the show called NewsRadio.

"I got cast in the original cast of NewsRadio. I'd never really acted before; I was doing stand-up. And on day two, I got fired."

Ray explained the experience left him deeply anxious when production began on the sitcom that carried his own name.

He said: "Fast forward to the first day, and I'd just gotten fired from a sitcom, and this sitcom has my name... and it was a little terrifying for me.

"And I know when I watch that first season, I see myself get better towards the end of the season. I was a little stiff still, a little green."

Ray's portrayal of sportswriter Ray Barone helped establish him as one of television's biggest comedy stars, while the programme remains a staple of syndication more than two decades after its debut.

In recent years, Ray has continued acting in projects including Somebody Feed Phil, alongside Phil, as well as films and television dramas, while Everybody Loves Raymond celebrated its 30th anniversary with a cast reunion.

Before finding success with Everybody Loves Raymond, Ray had primarily worked as a stand-up comedian.

His role in NewsRadio was eventually recast, with Joe Rogan taking over the part after producers concluded Ray's delivery style was not suited to the show's pace.

Everybody Loves Raymond centred on Ray Barone, a sportswriter living on Long Island whose family life was regularly complicated by the constant presence of his relatives.

Patricia Heaton starred as Debra Barone, while Brad Garrett played Ray's older brother Robert.

Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle portrayed Ray's parents, Marie and Frank Barone - performances that became some of the show's most celebrated elements.

Madylin Sweeten and twins Sawyer Sweeten and Sullivan Sweeten played the couple's children.

The discussion also touched on the sitcom's enduring popularity and the cast reunion held to mark the programme's 30th anniversary.

Last year, speaking to People magazine, Ray revealed he had taken one particularly memorable item from the set after the series ended.

He said: "That's the first thing I took - that's the only thing I wanted to take was the couch."

Discussing the floral sofa that became synonymous with the Barone family living room, Ray added: "I took the couch and it's in my home theater.

"I hate saying that I have a home theater, but yeah, it's in the theater."

He said the sofa was temporarily returned for the anniversary reunion.

Ray explained: "They came and got (the couch) and they brought it back."