LOS ANGELES - Brad Garrett, Emmy-winning co-star of the hit sitcom "Everybody Loves Raymond" was to return to the set Wednesday after reportedly settling a salary dispute with CBS.
Garrett, who had stayed away from work in a pay dispute, reached a deal that boosts his salary and gives him a small stake in the comedy's profits, the Hollywood Reporter said Tuesday.
The network had no comment on any deal with Garrett. But CBS spokesman Chris Ender said he'd been told Garrett would be returning to work Wednesday. "We look forward to welcoming him back," Ender said.
A call to Garrett's representatives at Raw Talent was not immediately returned.
The agency had previously criticized CBS' refusal to discuss a new deal for Garrett, saying his salary was a fraction of that of series star Ray Romano, who is 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 wasn't the only co-star absent from the "Raymond" set - fellow 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 "backend" profits for "Raymond," Daily Variety reported Tuesday. For a network series, backend 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, Variety said.
