Anna Scarpulla Romano was born on February 24, 1963, in New York to Italian immigrant parents from Sicily. She transformed from a quiet bank employee into a supportive force behind one of television’s biggest comedy stars. Her life shows how someone with ordinary beginnings can build both a family and a place in the entertainment world. She is known for balancing family life with the challenges of Hollywood.
Most people know her as Ray Romano’s wife, but Anna built her own path in the entertainment industry while raising four children and battling serious health challenges. Her life reflects a focus on family and steady support during the challenges of the entertainment industry.
Anna Scarpulla Quick Bio facts
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Anna Scarpulla Romano |
| Birth Date | February 24, 1963 |
| Age | 62 (as of 2025) |
| Heritage | Italian-American (Sicilian) |
| Spouse | Ray Romano (married 1987) |
| Children | Alexandra, Matthew, Gregory, Joseph |
| Career | Former bank teller, actress, cinematographer |
| Health | Breast cancer survivor (2010) |
Early Life and Background (1963-1982)
Anna grew up in a traditional Italian-American household where her parents had moved from a small Sicilian town at age 40. They brought strong family traditions that shaped Anna’s approach to relationships and marriage. These heritage values would later create common ground with her future husband.
The Scarpulla family maintained close ties to their Italian roots throughout Anna’s childhood. Her parents instilled work ethic and loyalty that guided her through decades of supporting a celebrity spouse. At 18, she started working at Williamsburg Savings Bank in Queens as a teller in 1982.
Anna Scarpulla Meeting Ray Romano and Early Relationship (1982-1987)
In 1983, aspiring comedian Ray Romano joined the bank staff at age 25. He rode his bicycle to work and often arrived late, creating memorable impressions on coworkers. In an interview with the CBS News, Anna joked that Ray was “accurate, but very slow” when handling customers at the bank.
Ray eventually asked Anna out, and she accepted. Their relationship truly began after he left the bank to focus on comedy.Their relationship began only after Ray left the bank, which kept their professional and personal lives separate
They dated from 1985 to 1987 during Ray’s struggling comedy career. Anna supported his entertainment dreams while he performed at small New York venues. She recognized his potential when others questioned comedy’s financial stability.
Marriage and Family Foundation (1987-1998)
Anna and Ray married on October 11, 1987, after two years of dating. Their partnership began with Anna’s practical nature balancing Ray’s creative ambitions. She managed household responsibilities while his comedy career slowly gained momentum.
The couple welcomed four children between 1990 and 1998. Anna focused on raising them while Ray often traveled for comedy shows.
During this period, Anna managed most of the home life while Ray focused on his comedy career. Anna maintained stability at home while supporting Ray’s professional growth. Her steady presence allowed him to take creative risks in his career.
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Rise to Fame and Family Dynamics (1996-2005)
“Everybody Loves Raymond” premiered in 1996, transforming Anna’s life from comedian’s wife to celebrity spouse. Ray’s television success brought fame and financial security but also new pressures. Anna deliberately stayed out of the spotlight, focusing on normal childhood experiences for their kids.
The show’s demands meant Ray was frequently busy with filming and promotional activities. Anna kept family routines consistent despite their father’s growing celebrity status. She ensured the children remained grounded in real-world values.
Anna often helped keep their family life grounded, even as Ray’s career grew. In a 2023 interview with Good Morning America, Ray credited Anna with seeing something in him before he was famous, recounting: “I give her credit ’cause she married me before any of this happened.” Her straightforward nature helped maintain balance in their marriage.
Anna Scarpulla Personal Entertainment Career (2001-2015)
Anna developed her own entertainment credentials during Ray’s television peak. According to IMDb, Anna appeared in the episode “The Angry Family” (2001) as a background character. This cameo demonstrated the show’s integration of Ray’s actual family members.
Her film credits, listed on IMDb, include acting in the French drama “Quand s’approfondit l’hiver” (2010) and voice work in “Yo-kai Watch 3.” She also worked in cinematography on “Because She’s Worth It” (2012) and “Class” (2015). These projects showed creative interests beyond supporting her husband’s career.
Anna chose entertainment work that accommodated her family priorities. Her modest career proved she possessed talents independent of Ray’s success while maintaining her primary focus on motherhood.
Health Crisis and Advocacy (2009-2012)
Anna was diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine gynecological exam in October 2009. The diagnosis was confirmed as invasive breast cancer in February 2010. Her diagnosis led her to share her experience publicly to raise awareness about breast cancer,
Anna underwent surgery, radiation therapy, and four chemotherapy rounds. The treatment coincided with Ray’s father’s death on her surgery day, creating intense family stress. She explained that focusing on her own health was difficult since she was used to caring for others.
As reported by Wikipedia, Romano told People magazine that “the reason we’re going public is to share our experience, yeah, but to have an effect. Our goal is to help people.” Anna has remained cancer-free for over a decade.
Children’s Entertainment Industry Integration
Some of the Romano children have taken steps into the entertainment field, while Anna and Ray emphasized a balance between career pursuits and maintaining a grounded family life.
Anna Scarpulla Marriage Philosophy and Current Dynamics
Anna’s celebrity marriage approach centers on authenticity over Hollywood glamour. Ray notes that Anna “doesn’t need attention” unlike himself, creating natural balance in their relationship. She avoids public events when possible, preferring family privacy.
Ray has joked in interviews about using small gestures, like bringing flowers, to show appreciation in their marriage. Anna has criticized Ray’s use of their personal life in comedy material, prompting his response to “go cry in a bag of money.”
During cancer treatment, Anna had to shift from her natural caregiver role to accepting help. She explained: “I take on everybody’s stress, but this had to be all about me. I’m not like that!” This experience taught her necessary self-care skills.
Cultural Heritage and Family Traditions
The Romano family maintains active Sicilian connections. In 2019, they organized a heritage trip to Sicily with 13 relatives visiting Anna’s ancestral hometown. Ray discussed this journey on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” emphasizing cultural identity’s ongoing importance.
Anna’s Italian-American values influenced child-rearing approaches, emphasizing family loyalty and elder respect. These traditions provided stability during Ray’s career transitions. Their shared heritage created relationship foundation from their bank-employee beginning.
Personal Characteristics and Public Presence
Anna is naturally shy and avoids seeking attention, providing stability for Ray’s more public personality. There is no verified social accounts presence but with focused on authentic family content rather than celebrity lifestyle promotion. Her posts demonstrate real family interactions and normal dynamics.
Ray revealed in an interview with Variety (2022) that his wife’s cancer journey partly inspired the film’s character Angela. Some of her life experiences have inspired parts of Ray’s creative work.
Current Life (2025)
By 2025, all four of Anna and Ray’s children are grown and pursuing independent lives. Several have explored careers in entertainment, reflecting the creative atmosphere they grew up in.
The couple supports breast cancer charities in New York and Los Angeles. Anna’s advocacy work includes sharing her experience to encourage early detection. Her decade-plus cancer-free status inspires other patients and families.
Anna and Ray maintain homes in La Quinta, California, continuing their long marriage with practical approaches that sustained them through Hollywood’s pressures. They continue to live a stable family life, keeping their focus on privacy and long-term commitment.
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Conclusion
Anna Scarpulla Romano demonstrates how supportive partners enable celebrity success while building meaningful independent lives. She moved from working at a bank to taking part in the entertainment industry while raising a family.
Her long marriage with Ray shows how shared values and support can sustain a family in the public eye. Anna’s cancer advocacy, along with her choice to keep much of her life private, reflects both resilience and care for others.
FAQ‘s About Anna Romano
How old is Anna Romano in 2025?
Anna is 62 years old, born February 24, 1963.
Where did Anna and Ray Romano meet?
They met at Williamsburg Savings Bank in Queens where both worked in the early 1980s.
How many children do they have?
The couple has four children, born between 1990 and 1998.
What entertainment work has Anna done?
She appeared on “Everybody Loves Raymond,” acted in “Quand s’approfondit l’hiver,” and worked in cinematography on several projects.
What cancer did Anna have?
Invasive breast cancer diagnosed in 2010; she completed successful treatment and remains cancer-free.
Jance Vicky founded Measurevan.com and brings 8+ years of experience writing about famous people from all walks of life. She covers celebrities, sports stars, business leaders, artists, and politicians with care and accuracy. Jance focuses on creating easy-to-read biographies that tell real stories about people’s lives, careers, families, and achievements. Her goal is to help readers learn interesting facts about well-known personalities. At Measurevan, Jance works hard to provide trustworthy information that respects people’s privacy while sharing their inspiring journeys and accomplishments
