Before deciding to pursue a career in acting, he was a monk in the Christian Brothers order. Peter's wife Loraine was a reporter for Rolling Stone Magazine when they first met--he was in his full make-up for Young Frankenstein (1974). Through her friendship with Yoko Ono, Peter met and became best friends with ex-Beatle John Lennon. After seeing people cheer at his role in Joe (1970), he refused the lead role in The French Connection (1971) and other roles that glamorized violence. Has 2 daughters with Alterman, Lucy and Amy. Suffered a stroke in 1990 and couldn't talk for 6 months. Father hosted a popular children's lunchtime cartoon show in Philadelphia in the 1950s titled "Lunch with Uncle Pete." John Lennon was best man at his wedding to his wife Loraine. Is Irish American. Commuted between Los Angeles, California, and his home in New York City for the filming of "Everybody Loves Raymond" (1996). When he hosted "Saturday Night Live" (1975) in the 1970s, he demonstrated his fine singing voice. 1957 graduate of La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Was the only member of the ensemble cast of "Everybody Loves Raymond" (1996) who didn't win an Emmy award for acting in a comedy series.
