ABC AND TOUCHSTONE SIGN PATRICIA HEATON TO DEVELOPMENT AND ACTING DEAL

Patricia Heaton ("Everybody Loves Raymond"), in association with her production company, Four Boys Films, has signed a deal with the ABC Television Network and Touchstone Television with both development and acting components, it was announced today by Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Primetime Entertainment, and Mark Pedowitz, president, Touchstone Television and executive vice president, ABC Entertainment Television Group.

The development component calls for Ms. Heaton and Four Boys Films to develop TV movies and series, on which she would receive executive producer credit. As a separate part of the deal, Ms. Heaton would receive co-executive producer credit on any project in which she performs.

"Patricia is a true television star, and we're thrilled to be in business with her," Mr. McPherson said. "While we look forward to finding the right project for her considerable acting skills, we are equally as excited to see what comes out of the development part of the deal."

Added Mr. Pedowitz: "Audiences and critics continue to show their appreciation for Patricia's considerable talents, and we look forward to collaborating on her next great project."

Four Boys Films was founded in 2001 by Heaton and her husband, David Hunt. They recently completed production on the documentary feature film, "The Bituminous Coal Queens of Pennsylvania," which Hunt directed.

Four Boys is currently developing "Wilberforce" with Phillip Anschutz' Walden Media. The film is the true life story of William Wilberforce, who advocated for the freedom of slaves in 18th-Century England.

Heaton is a four-time Emmy nominee and two-time Emmy winner for her role as Debra Barone on "Everybody Loves Raymond." She has been nominated for seven SAG awards, and received one for ensemble for "Everybody Loves Raymond." This year she has received three SAG nominations, one for her starring role in the made for TV movie, "The Goodbye Girl", as well as nominations as Best Actress in a Comedy Series and as part of the ensemble cast for "Everybody Loves Raymond."