While attendingOhio State University, she became a sister ofDelta GammaSorority. She later graduated with a B.A. in drama. In 1980, Heaton moved to New York City to study with drama teacher William Esper.
Heaton made her first Broadway appearance in the chorus ofDon't Get God Started(1987), after which she and fellow students created Stage Three, anOff-Broadwayacting troupe.
When Stage Three brought one of their productions toLos Angeles, Heaton caught the eye of a casting director for theABCdramaThirtysomething. She was cast as anoncologist, leading to six appearances on the series from 1989 to 1991. Other TV guest appearances include:Alien Nation(1989),Matlock(1990),Party of Five(1996),The King of Queens(1999), andDanny Phantom(2004).
Heaton's feature films includeMemoirs of an Invisible Man(1992),Beethoven(1992),The New Age(1994), andSpace Jam(1996).
Heaton was featured in three short-lived sitcoms—Room for Two,Someone Like MeandWomen of the House—before landing the role ofDebra BaroneonEverybody Loves Raymond. She was nominated in each of the series' last seven seasons for thePrimetime Emmy AwardforOutstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, winning in 2000 and 2001. With her win in 2000, she became the first of the cast members on the show to win an Emmy. She has also collected twoViewers for Quality TelevisionAwards and aScreen Actors Guildtrophy for her work on the series.
Starting September 2007, Heaton co-starred withKelsey GrammerinBack to You, a situation comedy onFox. The show was canceled in May 2008.
Heaton appeared on the season seven ofExtreme Makeover: Home Editionwhere she helped build a home for a firefighter and his family.
Heaton's television movies includeShattered Dreams(1990),Miracle in the Woods(1997),A Town Without Christmas(2001), as well as the remake ofNeil Simon'sThe Goodbye Girl(2004) withJeff Daniels,The Engagement Ring(2005), Heaton also played former U.S. Ambassador toYemen,Barbara Bodine, in the 2006 ABC docudramaThe Path to 9/11, and theHallmark Hall of FamemovieFront of the Class, based on the real story of a mother, Ellen Cohen, dealing with a son,Brad Cohen, who hasTourette Syndrome, in 2008.
Heaton was the producer for the 2005 documentaryThe Bituminous Coal Queens of Pennsylvania, which was directed by her husband. She was also one of the producers of theWilliam WilberforcedramaAmazing Grace(2006).
In January 2007, Heaton returned to the stage to co-star withTony Shalhoubin the Off-Broadway playThe SceneatSecond Stage Theatrein New York City.For this performance, Heaton was nominated in the Outstanding Lead Actress category for the 22ndLucille Lortel Awards.
Since September 2009, she has starred in the ABC comedyThe Middle.
In 2011, Heaton was ranked at No. 24 on theTV Guide Networkspecial,Funniest Women on TV.
In October 2015, Heaton began hostingPatricia Heaton Parties, a cooking show onThe Food Network. The program showcases party friendly foods and home entertaining tips. The show won aDaytime Emmy in 2016 for Outstanding Culinary Program
She received a star on theHollywood Walk of Fameon May 22, 2012.The star is located at 6533 Hollywood Blvd. in front of The Hudson Apartments.
