You are reading

Queens native Ray Romano makes directorial debut with ‘Somewhere in Queens’

Mar. 8, 2023 By Julia Moro

Forest Hills native Ray Romano will be releasing his comedy drama, “Somewhere in Queens,” April 21, 2023, after directing, writing and starring in the film.

“Somewhere in Queens” follows a simple, blue-collar family, deeply rooted in their Italian American heritage — similar to many Queens natives. Leo Russo, played by Romano, finds himself tearing his family apart trying to turn his son’s successful high school basketball career into a scholarship.

Romano’s son in the movie, “Sticks,” portrayed by Jacob Ward, planned to work for the family construction business until a scout offers the young basketball star options.

“Sticks” portrayed by Jacob Ward, wearing a Glendale basketball jersey. (Screenshot via Rotten Tomatoes Trailers/YouTube)

When girlfriend Dani from Forest Hills, played by Sadie Stanley, breaks up with Sticks, he loses his motivation. Romano’s character attempts to keep his son on track by asking Dani to continue going out with him — a move that inevitably backfires on the well-meaning father.

It’s fair to say that many viewers will resonate with this film — whether it’s someone with Italian American roots, a Queens resident who recognizes their neighborhood, or anyone with an overbearing family that cares just a little too much.

Romano’s family has deep roots in Forest Hills. His mother, Luciana Fortini, grew up and lived on Exeter Street. She graduated from Forest Hills High School in 1945 at the age of 16.

In 1953, she married Albert Romano, a successful engineer and real estate agent. They rented for a brief time on Burns Street. In 1956, while many young families were moving to brand-new homes in suburban Nassau County, they decided to buy a humble 1,590-square-foot house at 70-17 Nansen St.

Romano, born in 1957, went to Archbishop Molloy High School in Briarwood for his freshman and sophomore years. He transferred to Hillcrest High.

Ironically, a few scenes in “Somewhere in Queens” were filmed at one of Molloy’s rival Catholic high schools: Christ the King Regional High School in Middle Village.

In the early 1980s, while studying to be an accountant at Queens College and holding down a series of part-time jobs, Romano started performing stand-up comedy in New York clubs, according to Britannica.

Romano went on to win a citywide comedy contest in 1989, which brought him valuable exposure. In 1990 Romano made his first national television appearance on MTV’s “Half-Hour Comedy Hour,” but it wasn’t until his appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman” in 1995 that he got his big break.

Letterman had his production company, Worldwide Pants Inc., develop the sit-com “Everybody Loves Raymond” around Romano’s comedy. The first episode aired on Sept. 13, 1996, and a year later it became among the most-watched shows on American television.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Catch the fall vibe at these western Queens breweries

Sep. 3, 2025 By Jessica Militello

September rings in the start of Oktoberfest from mid-September through October, featuring special brews, fun events and more fall fun. Western Queens is filled with breweries to enjoy seasonal brews, fall flavors and the start of cooler weather as Autumn approaches, making it a perfect time to meet up with friends at these local spaces.

Op-Ed | Four years after Hurricane Ida, Queens deserves real climate resilience

Sep. 2, 2025 By Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas

Four years ago, Hurricane Ida tore through our neighborhoods of East Elmhurst, Corona and Jackson Heights, leaving behind devastation we will never forget. We lost neighbors to the floodwaters. Families saw their homes destroyed, their basements wiped out, their lives upended. Immigrant families—so many of them undocumented—were hit the hardest, often excluded from relief altogether. Ida was not just a storm; it was a wake-up call.

Fall fun in western Queens: Your guide to the best seasonal events

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With beach days and summer BBQs behind us, the start of September rings in the start of magnificent Fall foliage, Halloween and more fun activities that come with the start of Autumn, including a list of Fall events in the area. From apple picking to seasonal ciders and more, there is tons to explore in the community. From Mystic Markets to scary movie meet-ups and more, here is a list of Fall events you do not want to miss.