Report: Brad Garrett, 'Everybody Loves Raymond' series reach deal

<br>LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Now even salary holdout Brad Garrett can love ``Everybody Loves Raymond.'' <br><br>Garrett, who had stayed away from work in a pay dispute, reached a deal with CBS that boosts

Wednesday, August 27th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Now even salary holdout Brad Garrett can love ``Everybody Loves Raymond.''

Garrett, who had stayed away from work in a pay dispute, reached a deal with CBS that boosts his salary and gives him a small stake in the comedy's profits, the Hollywood Reporter said Tuesday.

``We've been told Brad is returning to work tomorrow,'' CBS spokesman Chris Ender said Tuesday. ``We look forward to welcoming him back.''

The network had no comment on any deal with Garrett, Ender said. A call to Garrett's representatives at Raw Talent was not immediately returned.

The agency previously had criticized CBS' refusal to discuss a new deal for Garrett, saying his salary was a fraction of that of series star Ray Romano, who's also an executive producer on the show.

Romano, reportedly making about $1.8 million an episode, said last week he looked forward to Garrett's return in the role of his brother.

``We're a family. Everybody is coming back. We need Brad there,'' Romano told ``Entertainment Tonight.''

Garrett, 43, wasn't the only co-star absent from the ``Raymond'' set. Cast members Patricia Heaton, Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts each had missed at least a day of work.

Agreement was reached with them for a small portion of the nearly $1 billion in ``back-end'' profits for ``Raymond,'' Daily Variety reported Tuesday. For a network series, back-end profits can come from syndication, foreign sales and home video.

CBS and the series' producers each agreed to give up part of their profits so the others could have a share, which is expected to mean millions of dollars for the actors, Variety said.

The casts of other hits shows such as ``Friends'' and ``Will & Grace'' already share in their series' profits.